A landmark step in Saudi sports history took place on Thursday, when the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Kingdom Holding Company signed a binding share purchase agreement under which Kingdom Holding will acquire 70% of the share capital of Al Hilal Club Company, one of the most prominent clubs in Saudi Arabia and Asia. The deal is based on an enterprise value of about SAR 1.4 billion for the club company as a whole, with equity value estimated at about SAR 1.2 billion, making the consideration for the 70% stake about SAR 840 million.argaam+2
Completion of the transaction is subject to several conditions and approvals, including the necessary regulatory clearances and the required notifications, among them approval from the General Authority for Competition, as well as other internal approvals under the share purchase agreement. Kingdom Holding intends to finance the transaction from its own internal resources, and the agreement date was April 16, 2026.channelnewsasia+2
Al Hilal Club Company was established in 2023, while the club itself dates back to 1957. It is the most decorated club in Saudi football, with 90 official titles, including four AFC Champions League crowns, 21 Saudi league titles, and a runners-up finish at the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup. The club also enjoys a huge fan base across the Middle East and is considered one of the region’s most influential sports brands.global.espn+1
The club company’s core revenues have grown strongly over the past three years, reaching SAR 842 million for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2025, compared with SAR 659 million in 2024 and SAR 413 million in 2023. The acquisition is a strategic move for Kingdom Holding to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing sports and entertainment sector in line with Vision 2030, while leveraging Al Hilal’s brand strength, fan base, and track record to create long-term commercial returns and support a professionally run sports ecosystem.argaam+1
The transaction also reflects the broader relationship between the parties, as PIF is a major shareholder in Kingdom Holding with a 16.865% stake, and it had been the principal shareholder in Al Hilal Club Company since July 2023 under the sports clubs investment and privatization project. During that period, PIF drove the club’s transformation by improving governance, infrastructure, facilities, and operations, which helped grow revenues and commercial value through sponsorships, merchandise sales, and matchday income.global.espn+1
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, Chairman of Kingdom Holding, said Al Hilal is a national symbol and a source of pride, and that the acquisition reflects his belief in sport as a driver of economic and social development. Yazeed Al-Humied, Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF, said the fund is proud to contribute to the transformation of the sports sector and increase its attractiveness to investors, while beginning a new chapter for Al Hilal that aligns with PIF’s strategy of maximizing returns and recycling capital into the local economy.channelnewsasia+2
Kingdom Holding has long been linked to Al Hilal as a major sponsor, and Prince Alwaleed has also been a prominent supporter of the club. The new ownership structure is expected to strengthen the club’s future growth and long-term stability, while giving the private sector a bigger role in sport.argaam+1
Under PIF’s stewardship, Al Hilal delivered major achievements, including a record 34 straight wins in football history, the Saudi Pro League, King’s Cup, and Super Cup in 2023–24, and becoming the first Asian club to reach the quarter-finals of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.global.espn+1
The agreement is an important milestone in PIF’s sports investments, as it fits into its broader strategy of improving club infrastructure and operations to global standards, promoting financial sustainability, and encouraging private companies and investors to support the sector’s growth.
