The 2021–22 First Division League (known as the Yelo League for sponsorship reasons) is the 1st season of the Saudi First Division League after its rebrand, and the 45th season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 6 September 2021 and is scheduled to conclude on 29 May 2022.

Overview

Changes

On 9 October 2020, the Saudi FF announced that the number of teams in the league would be decreased to 18 starting from the 2022–23 season. To prepare for these changes it was announced that 5 teams would be relegated in the 2021–22 season and only 3 teams would be promoted from the 2021–22 Second Division.

Rebrand

On 26 August 2021, the newly appointed executive director of the FDL, Talal Al-Obaidi, announced a rebrand; beginning with the 2021–22 season, the competition would be known as the First Division League (FDL). As part of the rebranding, a new logo was introduced.

Name sponsorship

On 1 September 2021, the FDL announced a sponsorship with car rental company Yelo. As part of the sponsorship deal, the First Division League would be known as the Yelo League for the next 3 seasons.

Team changes

The following teams have changed division since the 2021–22 season.

To the First Division League

Promoted from Second Division * Al-Okhdood * Al-Orobah * Al-Kholood *

Bisha Bisha ( ar, بيشة, '), also known as Qal`at Bishah ( ar, قلعة بيشة, '), is a town in the south-western Saudi Arabian province, 'Asir. Bisha was its own province before merging with its neighboring province, 'Asir. Bisha has a popula ...

Relegated from Pro League * Al-Qadsiah * Al-Wehda * Al-Ain

From the First Division League

Promoted to Pro League * Al-Hazem * Al-Fayha * Al-Tai Relegated to Second Division * Al-Bukayriyah * Al-Thoqbah *

Arar Arar or Ar-Ar may refer to: Geography and history * Arar, Saudi Arabia, the capital of Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah (The Northern Border) province ** Arar border crossing, a Saudi-Iraqi border crossing near Arar, Saudi Arabia and Nukhayb, Iraq * Arar, ...

* Al-Nojoom

Teams

A total of 20 teams are contesting the league, including 13 sides from the 2020–21 season, 4 promoted teams from the Second Division and the three relegated sides from the Pro League. The first club to be relegated to the First Division League was Al-Ain, who were relegated after only a year in the top flight 2–0 defeat away to Al-Nassr on 14 May 2021. In the final matchday, both Al-Qadsiah and Al-Wehda were relegated following a draw with Abha and a loss against Al-Shabab respectively. Al-Qadsiah were relegated after only a year in the top flight while Al-Wehda were relegated after three years in the top flight. The first club to be promoted was Al-Orobah who were promoted despite a 1–0 away defeat to

Afif Afif ( ar, عفيف ) is a city in central Saudi Arabia, in the Najd region. It is situated approximately halfway between Riyadh and Mecca. The modern town was established in the 1910s as a ''hijra'', or "settlement", for the nomadic tribes of t ...

on 27 March 2021. On 3 April 2021, both Al-Okhdood and

were promoted. Al-Okhdood were promoted following a 1–1 draw with Al-Taqadom while Bisha were promoted following a 2–0 win over Al-Jandal. The final club to be promoted was Al-Kholood, who were promoted following a 3–1 away win over Al-Dahab in the final matchday. Al-Okhdood defeated Al-Orobah 4–2 on penalties (3–3 after extra time) to win their second title and first since 1992. Al-Kholood and Bisha will play in the First Division League for the first time in their history. Al-Orobah return after an absence of two seasons and will play in their 13th overall season in the First Division League. Al-Okhdood return to the First Division League for the first time since the 1992–93 season. They will play in their 2nd season in the First Division League.

Stadia and locations

:''Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.''

Foreign players

On 26 June 2021, the Saudi FF announced that the number of foreign players was increased from 4 players to 5 players. Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.

League table

Positions by round

The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward.

Results

Statistics

Scoring

Top scorers

Hat-tricks

;Note (H) – Home; (A) – Away
⁴ Player scored 4 goals

Clean sheets

Number of teams by region

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2021-22 Saudi First Division League 2 Saudi First Division League seasons

Saudi Saudi may refer to: * Saudi Arabia * Saudis, people from Saudi Arabia * Saudi culture, the culture of Saudi Arabia * House of Saud The House of Saud ( ar, آل سُعُود, ʾĀl Suʿūd ) is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia. It is c ...

Saudi Arabia, 2