2022–23 Saudi First Division League

2022–23 Saudi First Division League
The 2022–23 First Division League (known as the Yelo League for sponsorship reasons) was the 2nd season of the Saudi First Division League after its rebrand, and the 46th season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 22 August 2022 and concluded on 29 May 2023.
On 5 May, Al-Ahli became the first team to be promoted following Al-Faisaly's 2–2 draw with Najran. They were crowned champions following a 1–0 win against Al-Qadsiah on 23 May. The second club to be promoted was Al-Okhdood who were promoted after Al-Faisaly's 2–2 draw with Jeddah on 15 May. The third club to be promoted was Al-Riyadh who were promoted following a 1–0 home win against Al-Orobah. The fourth and final club to be promoted was Al-Hazem who were promoted following a 3–2 win against Al-Sahel.
On 1 May, Al-Shoulla became the first team to be relegated following Jeddah's 1–0 win against Al-Orobah. On 23 May, Al-Sahel became the second team to be relegated despite a 3–2 win against Al-Okhdood. Najran became the third and final club to be relegated after a 4–1 defeat to derby rivals Al-Okhdood on the final matchday.
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. Due to this decision, 5 teams were relegated last season instead of the usual 4 teams. In addition, only 3 teams were promoted from the Second Division instead of 4 teams.
On 14 April 2022, the Saudi FF announced that the number of teams in the Pro League would be increased from 16 to 18 teams. To prepare for this change, only 2 teams would be relegated to the First Division League and 4 teams would be promoted to the Pro League.
Team changes
The following teams have changed division since the 2022–23 season.
To the First Division League
Promoted from Second Division
Al-Arabi
Al-Qaisumah
Al-Riyadh
Relegated from Pro League
Al-Hazem
Al-Ahli
Al-Faisaly
From the First Division League
Promoted to Pro League
Al-Khaleej
Al-Adalah
Al-Wehda
Relegated to Second Division
Al-Jeel
Al-Diriyah
Al-Nahda
Al-Kawkab
Bisha
Teams
A total of 18 teams are contesting the league, including 12 sides from the 2021–22 season, the three 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-Hazem following a 5–2 defeat away to Al-Ettifaq on 21 May. Al-Hazem were relegated after just one year in the top flight. This was their second relegation in three years. Both Al-Ahli and Al-Faisaly were relegated following on the final day of the season. Al-Ahli were relegated following a 0–0 away draw with Al-Shabab. Al-Ahli were relegated for the first time in their history while Al-Faisaly were relegated after 12 consecutive seasons in the top flight.
The first club to be promoted was Al-Arabi who were promoted following a 1–0 home win against Al-Rawdhah on 30 March 2022. On 31 March 2022, Al-Qaisumah became the second side to be promoted following a 2–1 win over Al-Nairyah. The third and final club to be promoted was Al-Riyadh, who were promoted following a 3–2 aggregate win over Al-Taraji in the promotion play-offs.
Al-Arabi were crowned champions after defeating Al-Qaisumah 1–0 to win their second title and first since 1986.
Al-Arabi return to the First Division League after an absence of 27 years. They return to the league for the first time since the 1994–95 season and will play in their 9th overall season. Al-Qaisumah return after an absence of three seasons and will play in their 4th overall season in the First Division League. Al-Riyadh return after an absence of six seasons and will play in their 18th overall season in the First Division League.
Stadia and locations
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Foreign players
On 15 April 2022, the Saudi FF announced that the number of foreign players was increased from 5 players to 6 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
Clean sheets
Awards
Monthly awards
Round awards
Annual awards
Number of teams by region
See also
2022–23 Saudi Professional League
2022–23 Saudi Second Division
2022–23 Saudi Third Division
References
2
Saudi First Division League seasons
Saudi Arabia