The Saudi Pro League (SPL) soccer competition has announced that it is switching its official match ball supplier from sportswear giant NIKE to rival adidas.

The partnership will begin in February and see the league change its match ball supplier mid-season. 

SPL teams will play with the Adidas Oceaunz ball for the rest of the 2023-24 season, which runs until May. Adidas will then provide an exclusive match ball for the 2024-25 season, starting in August.

The tie-up aims to “promote soccer and its sustained development in Saudi Arabia, enhancing the league’s global interest and commercial attractiveness in the process.” 

Saad Allazeez, vice chairman and interim chief executive of the SPL, said: “Our partnership with Adidas represents a significant next step towards elevating football in Saudi Arabia.

“By aligning with such a recognized and respected global sportswear giant, the league enhances its international visibility and benefits from greater opportunities to attract talent, inspire investment, and foster growth that positively impacts football culture and the game’s national ecosystem. This collaboration can help reshape the kingdom’s football landscape.”

Adidas already signed a four-year kit deal with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in 2022 where it also took over from Nike.

The German brand also signed players from Saudi Arabia’s men’s and women’s national teams to its regional ambassador portfolio, such as Farah Jefry, Saud Abdualhamed, Yasser Al Shahrani, and Mohammed Al Owais.   

In November, the SPL also announced a partnership with the Mediterranean and Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Group (Medgulf), an insurance company based in the region.

Real estate firm Roshn, fully owned by the state-backed Public Investment Fund which also controls four SPL teams, has been the league's title sponsor since 2022.