Sports team charter flights in Saudi Arabia
Flying a squad, its staff and its kit between Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, Buraidah and Tabuk. The 2026-27 Saudi Pro League has 18 clubs and 306 matches, and the AFC Asian Cup comes to Saudi Arabia in January 2027.
- Saudi Pro League
- 18 clubs, 306 matches
- Season
- 13 Aug 2026 to 29 May 2027
- AFC Asian Cup
- 7 Jan to 5 Feb 2027
- Aircraft
- A320 or ATR
How team charter works
The team hires a whole aircraft and sets the timing around training and kick-off. A squad with staff and kit fits an Airbus A320, in layouts of 20 to 78 seats on the GACA list, or an ATR 72 with 70 seats for regional airports. Smaller groups, such as golf or motorsport teams, fit a large jet.
The 2026-27 Saudi Pro League packs 306 matches into 102 available days, with clubs in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, Buraidah, Tabuk and several smaller towns.
The league's fixture list gives every club at least two days' rest between matches and no more than two home or away games in a row. With turnarounds that short, the flight home after an away game matters.
Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam are 24-hour airports. Smaller airports often have operating curfews, so a late return after an evening match is planned with the airport hours in mind. For other groups, see group charter flights.
Sources:Saudi Pro League, 24 July 2026: SPL announces 2026-27 RSL fixture scheduleWikipedia: 2026-27 Saudi Pro League (clubs, cities and stadiums)Asian Football Confederation, 3 January 2025: dates for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 confirmed, host cities and Riyadh stadiumsOman Observer, 10 May 2026: AFC Asian Cup 2027 draw, 7 January to 5 February 2027 with 24 teamsGACA (Saudi Arabia): operator certificates and fleets, compiled by Altivo from GACA announcements and operator statements (read 19 October 2026)Universal Weather: business jet destination guide, Saudi Arabia (published December 2019, updated April 2022)
The competitions that drive team travel
| Competition | Dates | Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Pro League 2026-27 | 13 August 2026 to 29 May 2027 | 34 rounds, 306 matches, 18 clubs in cities across the country |
| AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 | 7 January to 5 February 2027 | 24 national teams. Host cities Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar |
The Saudi Pro League splits clubs into four tiers for scheduling, and no club meets a top-tier opponent in consecutive rounds. In Riyadh, the Asian Cup uses five stadiums: King Fahd Sports City Stadium, King Saud University Stadium, Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium, Kingdom Arena and Al Shabab Stadium.
Sources:Saudi Pro League, 24 July 2026: SPL announces 2026-27 RSL fixture scheduleAsian Football Confederation, 3 January 2025: dates for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 confirmed, host cities and Riyadh stadiumsOman Observer, 10 May 2026: AFC Asian Cup 2027 draw, 7 January to 5 February 2027 with 24 teams
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
The 2026-27 clubs and their stadiums
| Club | City | Home stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Hilal | Riyadh | Kingdom Arena |
| Al-Nassr | Riyadh | Al-Awwal Park |
| Al-Shabab, Al-Riyadh | Riyadh | SHG Arena |
| Al-Diriyah | Diriyah | SHG Arena and Al-Awwal Park |
| Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad | Jeddah | King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Al-Faisal Stadium |
| Al-Ettifaq | Dammam | EGO Stadium |
| Al-Qadsiah, Al-Khaleej | Khobar and Saihat | Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam |
| Abha | Abha | Al-Mahalah Stadium |
| Al-Taawoun | Buraidah | King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Buraidah Al-Taawoun Stadium |
| Neom | Tabuk | King Khalid Sport City Stadium |
| Al-Hazem, Al-Kholood | Ar Rass | Al-Hazem Club Stadium |
| Al-Fateh | Al-Mubarraz | Maydan Tamweel Aloula |
| Al-Fayha | Majmaah | Majmaah Sports City Stadium |
| Al-Faisaly | Harmah | Al-Majma'ah Sports City Stadium |
Abha, Al-Faisaly and Al-Diriyah were promoted for 2026-27. For clubs in smaller towns, we plan the nearest suitable airport and the road leg on each quote.
Sources:Wikipedia: 2026-27 Saudi Pro League (clubs, cities and stadiums)Saudi Pro League, 24 July 2026: SPL announces 2026-27 RSL fixture schedule
Saudi airports for charter aircraft
| Airport | Runway | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| King Khalid International, Riyadh (OERK) | 4,205 m | About 35 km north of central Riyadh. Open 24 hours, airport of entry. Slots required. Private Aviation Terminal since December 2018 |
| King Abdulaziz International, Jeddah (OEJN) | 4,000 m | About 24 km north of central Jeddah. Open 24 hours, airport of entry. Slots required |
| King Fahd International, Dammam (OEDF) | Two of 4,000 m | About 31 km north-west of downtown Dammam. Open 24 hours, airport of entry. Prior permission and slots required |
| Abha Regional (OEAB) | 3,350 m | About 18 km north-east of Abha. Customs available, but not an airport of entry |
| Gassim, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz (OEGS) | 3,000 m | About 25 km west of Buraidah. Customs available, but not an airport of entry |
| Tabuk, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz (OETB) | 3,350 m | About 7 km south-east of Tabuk. Customs available, but not an airport of entry |
| Hofuf, Al Ahsa (OEAH) | 3,060 m | About 18 km south-west of Hofuf. Customs available, but not an airport of entry |
Handling is mandatory at Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Smaller airports often have operating curfews that are not extended except for some VIP or medical flights, so late returns need planning.
Sources:AC-U-KWIK airport record, OERK (runway, hours, slots, distance)GACA, December 2018: Private Aviation Terminal inaugurated at King Khalid International, RiyadhAC-U-KWIK airport record, OEJN (runway, hours, slots, distance)AC-U-KWIK airport record, OEDF (runways, hours, prior permission, distance)AC-U-KWIK airport record, OEAB Abha Regional (read 19 October 2026)AC-U-KWIK airport record, OEGS Gassim, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz (read 19 October 2026)AC-U-KWIK airport record, OETB Tabuk, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz (read 19 October 2026)AC-U-KWIK airport record, OEAH Hofuf, Al Ahsa (read 19 October 2026)Universal Weather: business jet destination guide, Saudi Arabia (published December 2019, updated April 2022)
Aircraft for a travelling squad
| Party | Aircraft | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Squad, staff and kit | Airbus A320 (20 to 78 seats by layout) | Room for the full travelling party and its kit |
| Squad on regional routes | ATR 72 (70 seats) or ATR 42 (44 seats) | A smaller cabin when the party does not fill an A320 |
| Up to 12 | Gulfstream G450 | Small teams, staff trips and scouting |
Seat counts are from the licence data behind our operator pages. The A320s and ATRs on the list are flown by Alpha Star and Sky Prime from Riyadh.
What to tell us
- Fixture dates and the earliest and latest departure times, including the return after an evening kick-off.
- Headcount, including coaching, medical and media staff.
- Kit and equipment volumes, with any oversize items such as medical gear, so the operator can confirm the hold.
- Preferred airports at both ends. International arrivals must come through an airport of entry such as Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam.
- Catering and any meal timings set by the team's nutrition staff.
The rules that apply to a Saudi charter
- The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) licenses charter operators. Sky Prime, for example, was awarded a Part 121 licence to operate high-end charter, as AIN reported in December 2016, and Alpha Star holds a Saudi air operator certificate.
- Every operator on this page is on our list of GACA certificate holders, and the operator flying your group is named on your quote.
- GACA processes landing permits. The official lead time is three business days (Sunday to Thursday), though permits can often be obtained at shorter notice.
- Domestic flights within Saudi Arabia are not a problem, but international flights must arrive and leave through an airport of entry. Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam are all 24-hour airports of entry.
- Your charter agreement sets the terms for changes, cancellation and delay for the whole aircraft, so read it before you sign.
Sources:AIN, 6 December 2016: Sky Prime awarded Part 121 licence to operate high-end charter in Saudi ArabiaAIN, 21 May 2014: Alpha Star, Riyadh-based charter operator with a VIP Airbus fleet and a Saudi air operator certificateGACA (Saudi Arabia): operator certificates and fleets, compiled by Altivo from GACA announcements and operator statements (read 19 October 2026)Universal Weather: business jet destination guide, Saudi Arabia (published December 2019, updated April 2022)
Squad aircraft on the Saudi charter list
Airliners and turboprops for a full travelling party.
Saudi operators of airliners
GACA certificate holders flying A320s and ATRs.
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistHow many clubs are in the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League?+
Eighteen. The season runs from 13 August 2026 to 29 May 2027, with 34 rounds and 306 matches.
When is the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia?+
From 7 January to 5 February 2027, with 24 teams. The host cities are Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.
What aircraft does a football squad need?+
Usually an Airbus A320 for the squad, staff and kit. The A320s on the GACA list are in layouts of 20 to 78 seats, and Alpha Star's ATR 72 seats 70.
Can we fly home straight after an evening match?+
From Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, yes: they are open 24 hours. Smaller airports often have curfews, so we check the airport hours before we quote.
How far ahead should we book?+
As soon as the fixtures are confirmed, so the aircraft, slots and permits can be lined up. The league fits 306 matches into 102 available days, so turnarounds are short.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Saudi Pro League, 24 July 2026: SPL announces 2026-27 RSL fixture schedule
- 2.Wikipedia: 2026-27 Saudi Pro League (clubs, cities and stadiums)
- 3.Asian Football Confederation, 3 January 2025: dates for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 confirmed, host cities and Riyadh stadiums
- 4.Oman Observer, 10 May 2026: AFC Asian Cup 2027 draw, 7 January to 5 February 2027 with 24 teams
- 5.GACA (Saudi Arabia): operator certificates and fleets, compiled by Altivo from GACA announcements and operator statements (read 19 October 2026)
- 6.Universal Weather: business jet destination guide, Saudi Arabia (published December 2019, updated April 2022)
- 7.AC-U-KWIK airport record, OERK (runway, hours, slots, distance)
- 8.GACA, December 2018: Private Aviation Terminal inaugurated at King Khalid International, Riyadh
- 9.AC-U-KWIK airport record, OEJN (runway, hours, slots, distance)
- 10.AC-U-KWIK airport record, OEDF (runways, hours, prior permission, distance)
- 11.AC-U-KWIK airport record, OEAB Abha Regional (read 19 October 2026)
- 12.AC-U-KWIK airport record, OEGS Gassim, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz (read 19 October 2026)
- 13.AC-U-KWIK airport record, OETB Tabuk, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz (read 19 October 2026)
- 14.AC-U-KWIK airport record, OEAH Hofuf, Al Ahsa (read 19 October 2026)
- 15.AIN, 6 December 2016: Sky Prime awarded Part 121 licence to operate high-end charter in Saudi Arabia
- 16.AIN, 21 May 2014: Alpha Star, Riyadh-based charter operator with a VIP Airbus fleet and a Saudi air operator certificate
Arrive rested for kick-off.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.