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 First Division League (FDL for short), also called the Yelo league for sponsorship reasons, is the second tier of professional football in Saudi Arabia. The First Division League is ranked below the Saudi Professional League and above the S ...

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 In sport, the Second Division, also called Division 2 or Division II is usually the second highest division of a league, and will often have promotion and relegation with divisions above and below. Following the rise of Premier League style compet ...

* Al-Najma * Al-Taraji * Al-Bukiryah * Al-Safa * Al-Jandal Relegated from Pro League * Al-Adalah *

Al-Batin Bāṭin or baten ( ar, باطن) literally means "inner", "inward", "hidden", etc. The Quran, for instance, has a hidden meaning in contrast to its exterior or apparent meaning, the zahir (zaher). Sufis believe that every individual has a bati ...

From the First Division League

Promoted to Pro League * Al-Ahli * Al-Hazem * Al-Okhdood *

Al-Riyadh Al-Riyadh Saudi Club () is a football team based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that is currently playing in the Saudi Second Division (third level). It was established in 1953 as Ahli Al-Riyadh, then changed to Al-Yamamah and finally to Al-Riyad ...

Relegated to

* Najran * 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

and the two relegated sides from the Pro League.

were the first club to be relegated following a 1–0 defeat away to

Al-Ittihad Al-Ittihad (Arabic: الاتحاد "The Union"), sometimes transliterated as Al-Etihad or Al-Ettihad may refer to: Sports Football Libya *Al-Ittihad Club (Tripoli), a football club based in Bab Ben Gashier * Al Ittihad Gheryan, a football club bas ...

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 Football Club ( ar, نادي الاتفاق لكرة القدم) is a professional football club in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Al-Ettifaq was established after the merging of three clubs in the city of Dammam at the year 1944. Al Ettifaq ...

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 ( 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 ...

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

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2023-24 Saudi First Division League 2 Saudi First Division League seasons