2016–17 Saudi Professional League
The 2016–17 Saudi Professional League (also known as the Jameel League for sponsorship reasons) was the 41st season of Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its inception in 1976. The season started on 11 August 2016 and concluded on 4 May 2017. Al-Hilal won their fourteenth league title, and first since the 2010–11 season, with two matches to spare following a 2–1 win over Al-Shabab on 20 April. The defending champions were Al-Ahli who finished as runners-up. Al-Ettifaq and Al-Batin entered as the  two promoted teams from the 2015–16 Saudi First Division. Teams. The league comprises 14 teams, 11 from the 2015–16 campaign, as well as two teams promoted from the 2015–16 First Division and the relegation play-off winners. On the final day of the season Al-Mojzel won the First Division title and their first-ever promotion to the top flight after a 3–2 win against Al-Jeel. Al-Ettifaq were also promoted after they finished in 2nd place, it will be their first participation in the Pro League since the 2013–14 season. The two promoted teams replaced Najran and Hajer . Al-Raed were relegation play-off winners. On 3 August 2016, Al-Mojzel were stripped of their tile and were instead relegated to the Second Division due to a match fixing scandal. The SAFF decided to promote Al-Batin instead. Stadiums and locations. Foreign players. The number of foreign players is limited to 4 per team, and should not be a goalkeeper. League table. Positions by round. The following table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve the chronological evolution, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were  originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. If a club from the Saudi Professional League wins the King Cup, they will qualify for the AFC Champions League, unless they have already qualified for it through their league position. In this case, an additional AFC Champions League group stage berth will be given to the 3rd placed team, and the AFC Champions League play-off round spot will be given to 4th. Relegation play-offs. Al-Batin which finished 12th will face Najran, the 3rd-placed 2016–17 Saudi First Division side for a two-legged  play-off. Al-Batin beat Najran 3–2 on aggregate. Attendances. By round. Source: