The Saudi Professional League Association has prioritized broadcast and commercial rights requirements when scheduling the Saudi Roshn League matches for the upcoming season, according to the new regulatory framework of the competition, which Al-Eqtisadiah has reviewed.

The regulation sets weekend match kick-off times (Friday and Saturday) across three time slots: early, middle, and late, while weekday matches are limited to only two slots: middle and late, a step aimed at organizing the schedule to align with broadcast requirements and commercial commitments.

No more than four matches per day.

The previous regulation adopted a more flexible scheduling approach for match timings without specifying fixed daily broadcast slots, merely stipulating that no more than four matches be held per day.

The regulation includes extensive amendments to the commercial and investment aspects of the competition, comprising updates to the provisions governing marketing and advertising rights, financial compensations, and obligations related to broadcast partners and sponsors.

Regarding compensations, the regulation grants the association the authority to oblige the responsible club to pay compensation for any damages or losses incurred by the association, other clubs, broadcast partners, association partners, or any other affected party, thereby expanding the scope of compensation compared to the previous regulation, which only required the club causing a match cancellation or postponement to compensate the association or affected clubs.

Expanding the concepts of 'advertising rights' and 'empty stadium'

The regulation also expanded the concept of advertising rights, which were limited in the previous version to perimeter boards, digital screens, and printed materials, to now include virtual advertising and commercial rights related to digital broadcasting via OTT platforms.

The regulation introduced a definition for the 'main sponsor of the competition' and granted it the exclusive right to associate its brand with the competition's official name according to the commercial rights determined by the association.

Regarding in-stadium commercial rights, the regulation developed the concept of 'empty stadium', which is no longer limited to removing the operator's commercial advertisements inside the stadium before matches, but extends to banning any visible commercial advertisements within the stadium perimeter and its associated airspace during match days and official training sessions, thus preserving the exclusive rights of sponsors and commercial partners.

The regulation also restructured the financial responsibilities resulting from changes to match dates or venues, stipulating that the club responsible for the change bears its own expenses, in addition to the travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs for the other club, match officials, and the association delegation.

If neither club is responsible for the change, each club bears its own match-related expenses as stipulated in the regulation.