The 2023–24 First Division League (known as the
Yelo League for sponsorship reasons) was the third season of the
Saudi First Division League
The Saudi First Division League (), currently known as the Yelo League for sponsorship reasons, is the second tier of professional football in Saudi Arabia. It ranks below the Saudi Pro League and above the Saudi Second Division League in the ...
after its rebrand, and the 47th season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 14 August 2023 and concluded on 28 May 2024.
On 6 May,
Al-Qadsiah became the first team to be promoted following a 2–2 draw with
Ohod. They were crowned champions following a 4–2 win against
Al-Najma on 13 May. On 21 May,
Al-Kholood and
Al-Orobah became the final two clubs to be promoted following wins over
Al-Safa and
Al-Jabalain respectively.
On 30 April,
Al-Taraji became the first team to be relegated after a 4–1 defeat away to
Al-Kholood. On 13 May,
Hajer became the second team to be relegated following a 2–1 defeat to
Al-Faisaly. On 15 May,
Al-Qaisumah became the third and the final club to be relegated following a 0–0 draw with
Ohod.
Team changes
The following teams have changed division since the 2022–23 season.
To the First Division League
Promoted from
Second Division
*
Al-Najma
*
Al-Taraji
*
Al-Bukiryah
*
Al-Safa
*
Al-Jandal
Relegated from
Pro League
*
Al-Adalah
*
Al-Batin
From the First Division League
Promoted to
Pro League
*
Al-Ahli
*
Al-Hazem
*
Al-Okhdood
Al-Okhdood (Arabic: الأخدود) or Al-Okhdood Archaeological Site, is an ancient South Arabian town located in Najran Province in Saudi Arabia, southeast of the present-day city of Najran. Currently in ruins, the town dates back to at least 5 ...
*
Al-Riyadh
Relegated to
Second Division
*
Najran
Najran ( '), is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia. It is the capital of Najran Province. Today, the city of Najran is one of the fastest-growing cities in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As of the 2022 census, the city population was 381,431, wi ...
*
Al-Sahel
*
Al-Shoulla
Teams
A total of 18 teams are contesting the league, including 11 sides from the
2022–23 season, the five promoted teams from the
Second Division and the two relegated sides from the
Pro League.
Al-Batin were the first club to be relegated following a 1–0 defeat away to
Al-Ittihad Al-Ittihad may refer to:
Sports Football Men Teams
* Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
* Al Ittihad SCSC (Tripoli), Tripoli, Libya
* Al Ittihad Gheryan, Gharyan, Libya
* Al Ittihad Misurata SC, Misurata, Libya
* Al Ittihad SC ...
on 23 May 2023. Al-Batin were relegated after three years in the top flight.
Al-Adalah were the second and final club to be relegated following a 2–0 home defeat to
Al-Ettifaq
Al-Ettifaq Club (), commonly known as Al-Ettifaq or simply Ettifaq, is a professional football club in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, which competes in the Saudi Pro League.
The club was established by the merger of three Dammam-based clubs in 1945. Al- ...
on the final matchday. Al-Adalah were relegated after just one year in the top flight. Both Al-Adalah and Al-Batin will play in their 7th season in the FD League.
The first club to be promoted was
Al-Najma who did so after a 1–1 draw against
Al-Kawkab on 17 March 2023. On 24 March 2023,
Al-Taraji became the second club to be promoted despite a 1–0 defeat to
Al-Bukiryah. On 31 March 2023,
Al-Bukiryah became the third club to be promoted following a 1–0 home win against
Al-Diriyah. On 8 April 2023,
Al-Safa became the fourth club to be promoted following a 2–1 home win against
Wej. The fifth and final club to be promoted was
Al-Jandal, who did so following a 4–2 aggregate win over
Bisha
Bisha (, '), also known as Qal`at Bishah (, '), 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 population of 202,096 according to the 2022 Ce ...
in the promotion play-offs.
Al-Najma were crowned champions after defeating Al-Taraji 2–1 to win their third title and first since 2010.
Al-Najma return to the
First Division League after an absence of 10 years. They return to the league for the first time since the 2012–13 season and will play in their 11th overall season. Al-Bukiryah return after an absence of two seasons and will play in their 3rd overall season in the First Division League. Al-Safa return after an absence of eight years and will play in their 2nd overall season in the First Division League. Both Al-Taraji and Al-Jandal were promoted to the First Division League for the first time in history.
Stadium and locations
:''Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.''
Personnel and kits
*
1 On the back of the strip.
*
2 On the right sleeve of the strip.
*
3 On the shorts.
Foreign players
On 1 June 2023, the Saudi FF announced that the number of foreign players was increased from 6 players to 7 players.
*Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
*Players in ''italics'' were out of the squad or left the club within the season, after the pre-season transfer window, or in the mid-season transfer window, and at least had one appearance.
League table
Positions by round
The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological evolution, 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
Clean sheets
Awards
Monthly awards
Round awards
Number of teams by province
See also
*
2023–24 Saudi Professional League
*
2023–24 Saudi Second Division
*
2023–24 Saudi Third Division
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:2023-24 Saudi First Division League
2
Saudi First Division League seasons