Al-Nassr will share Al Awwal Park with Diriyah FC across the entire 2026-27 season, an arrangement confirmed on Sunday, 9 August and covering every competition, not just league fixtures. Diriyah, who earned promotion to the top flight through the May playoffs, had previously used the SGH Arena that belongs to Al-Shabab.
The first match on the shared pitch is a King’s Cup Round of 32 tie on 18 August. The two clubs’ Saudi Pro League meetings, on 17 September and 8 April 2027, will also be staged at Al Awwal Park.
SAR 800m debt and a spending cap
The lease is designed to raise money. Al-Nassr insider Ali Alabdallh, quoted by World Soccer Talk, said hosting Diriyah’s fixtures “will inject a substantial sum into the club’s treasury.”
The context is bleak. Debts at the club exceed SAR 800 million (around $214m), according to Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah, and the Public Investment Fund has stripped the executive management of its normal spending powers while consultancy firms look for ways to lift commercial revenues and cut costs. The PIF has also been evaluating serious takeover approaches, with a preference for partial ownership rather than an outright sale.
Read also: In a sealed-off Rosario cemetery, Messi buries the father who built his career
One signing, no room for a second
Portuguese defensive midfielder Samu Costa is Al-Nassr’s only summer arrival and, by the club’s own admission, likely their last. Costa, 25, signed from RCD Mallorca on 9 August via a buyout clause reported at €22m ($24m), with a deal running to June 2030.
Al-Nassr said approval for the transfer was granted “solely because the transaction utilized remaining capital earmarked within that designated recruitment framework.” Any further additions, according to the club, can only come through cost-free player swaps. Costa slots into the vacancy left by Marcelo Brozovic, whose contract expired at the end of last season.
Postecoglou starts without Ronaldo
Ange Postecoglou, who was appointed head coach in early July on a two-year contract, opens his tenure on Friday, 15 August against Al-Fateh. He will do so without Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 41-year-old captain has not yet returned from an extended break following Portugal’s 6 July exit from the World Cup at the hands of Spain. Postecoglou’s staff opted to skip calling him up for the Lisbon pre-season camp and to grant him further recovery time. His competitive return is now expected against Al-Riyadh on 21 August, meaning he will also miss the King’s Cup opener against Diriyah at Al Awwal Park.
Read also: Excluded from the World Cup, now officiating the Super Cup: the Somali referee's remarkable return
Al-Nassr ended a seven-year title drought last season under Jorge Jesus. The task facing Postecoglou is to defend that trophy and chase a first AFC Champions League Elite title with a squad that has lost its metronome in midfield, gained one replacement, and now shares its home ground with the club just promoted from the second tier.
Read also: Trump breaks into the FIFA civil war: 'Replacing Infantino would be a terrible mistake'
