King Abdullah Sports City

King Abdullah Sports City, often abbreviated as KASC and fondly known as "The Shining Jewel" or simply "The Jewel," is a versatile sports complex and stadium situated 30 kilometres north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It was named in honour of King Abdullah, the former monarch of Saudi Arabia during the stadium's inauguration. This remarkable facility not only symbolizes sporting excellence but also serves as the home ground for two prominent football teams, Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club and their historic city rivals, Al-Ittihad.

The Crown Jewel: King Abdullah International Stadium

At the heart of this sprawling sports city stands the King Abdullah International Stadium, a football arena capable of accommodating a staggering 62,241 spectators. It proudly holds the title of Jeddah's largest stadium and is the second-largest in Saudi Arabia, surpassed only by Riyadh's King Fahd Stadium. Impressively, it ranks as the tenth-largest stadium in the Arab world and is a prominent fixture among Asia's largest stadiums. Notably, the stadium had the privilege of hosting matches during the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

A Hub for Diverse Sporting Events

King Abdullah Sports City isn't just about the main stadium. It also features smaller sports venues surrounding the central arena, making it a hub for a wide range of sporting events. Adjacent to the primary stadium, the city boasts three distinct football fields and four compact indoor arenas dedicated to football matches. Furthermore, it encompasses six tennis courts and a spacious indoor arena suitable for various sports and events. The city also features a central mosque, along with six smaller satellite mosques. To support its role as a hub for sports events and media coverage, the city is equipped with a comprehensive media centre, comprising spacious rooms used for broadcasting press conferences involving players, coaches, and prominent figures in the world of football.

Al-Ahli

Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club, founded in 1937, stands as one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia. Domestically, they boast three Saudi Professional League titles, along with an impressive record of 13 Kings Cups, six Crown Prince Cups, one General League Shield, and one Super Cup. In the realm of international club football, they have clinched a record-equalling 3 GCC Champions League titles and 1 Arab Club Championship. Al Ahli made history as the first Saudi club to secure both the league and the King's Cup in the same season, achieving this feat twice, in 1978 and 2016.

Al-Ittihad

Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabian Club, commonly known as Al-Ittihad SFC, was founded in 1927 and is based in Jeddah. Over its extensive history, the club has consistently competed at the top tier of Saudi Arabian football, currently known as the Saudi Pro League.

Jeddah Derby - "The Saudi El Clasico"

The Jeddah Derby is the exciting football clash between two hometown teams, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This legendary rivalry has been going strong for over 70 years, making it the longest-standing top-tier derby in Saudi Arabian football history. It all began back in 1951, and today, it's recognized as one of the fiercest and most-watched matches in both Asia and the Arab world. However, in an unexpected twist, the rivalry had to take a pause in 2022 when Al-Ahli faced relegation to the first-division league for the very first time in their history.