RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport has announced the privatization of three football clubs — Al-Ansar, Al-Kholood, and Al-Zulfi — marking the first set of teams offered to the public through initial public offerings.
The move represents a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s initiative to open the sports sector to private investment and ownership. The IPOs also follow a broader privatization program launched last August.
The ownership of the three clubs will transfer to private entities: Al-Zulfi to Nujoum Al-Salam, Al-Kholood to Harburg Group, and Al-Ansar to a joint venture between Audat Al-Biladi and Ayana.
The ministry, in cooperation with the National Center for Privatization, carried out the transfers after completing regulatory requirements and corporate restructuring, the authority stated.
“The National Center for Privatization carried out the necessary procedures to establish club companies and transfer their ownership to the new owners,” the statement said.
In parallel, the ministry announced that the submission window for the acquisition of Al-Nahda Club has closed, although the evaluation process is still ongoing. Some investment entities requested an extension, and the ministry confirmed it is still reviewing these proposals.
The body affirmed its commitment to ensuring the success of the privatization process, stating that “it is keen to ensure the success of the privatization process and to confirm that the submitted offers serve the interests of the clubs and their sporting future, contribute to advanced models, and achieve the strategic objectives of the project.”
It also noted that “the other entities interested in acquiring clubs (notably Al-Orobah and Al-Washm) did not meet the required procedures and conditions for acquisition.”
Furthermore, the ministry announced that applications are now open for those wishing to acquire other Saudi sports clubs.
Interested parties can apply via the ministry’s official website, where they will undergo a multi-stage process including qualification screening, financial analysis, and competitive bidding.
