The Saudi Professional League has officially postponed the match between Al-Ahli and Al-Khaleej, originally scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Jeddah. The decision follows logistical disruptions at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, which prevented the Al-Khaleej squad from departing for their Round 11 Roshn Saudi League fixture.
Logistical Disruptions in Dammam
The postponement was confirmed after Al-Khaleej’s team mission remained stranded in Dammam on Wednesday and Thursday morning. According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the airport in Dammam was targeted on Wednesday evening, resulting in the death of one resident and injuries to eight others, alongside significant material damage at the site. This event occurred as the Al-Khaleej delegation was preparing to travel to Jeddah for the match against Al-Ahli.
While official statements from the Saudi Professional League did not detail the specific cause of the flight disruptions, sources indicate that the inability of the team to reach Jeddah necessitated the scheduling change. Local reports from Okaz had previously noted that league officials were monitoring the situation closely throughout the morning, hoping for a resolution before finally opting to clear the match from the Thursday calendar. The match was slated for the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah at 21:00 local time.
رابطة دوري المحترفين السعودي تقرر تأجيل مباراة الأهلي والخليج ضمن منافسات الجولة الـ11 من دوري روشن⏳والتي كان مقرراً إقامتها اليوم، على أن يحدد الموعد الجديد لاحقاً 📅 pic.twitter.com/3gTrNDuCp2
Al-Ahli Holds Fifth Place While Al-Khaleej Sits Tenth
For Al-Ahli, the delay interrupts a period of momentum. The team currently holds the fifth position in the Roshn Saudi League table with 18 points from nine matches, having secured six wins and suffered three losses while scoring 23 goals and conceding 12.
Al-Khaleej, meanwhile, sits in tenth place with 12 points from 10 matches, having recorded two wins, six draws, and two losses. They had been riding a wave of improved results, including a 2-0 win over Al-Fayha and a 3-2 victory over Al-Fateh. The postponement leaves both squads in limbo as they await a revised schedule.
Precedent for Scheduling Adjustments
This is not the first time the league has faced rescheduling challenges this season. The organization has previously postponed four other matches to accommodate team logistics and ongoing aviation difficulties affecting clubs across the kingdom.
- Al-Riyadh vs. Al-Hilal: Moved to December 19, 2026.
- Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Shabab: Moved to December 19, 2026.
- Al-Ahli vs. Al-Nassr: Rescheduled for March 6, 2027.
- Abha vs. Al-Kholood: Rescheduled for December 7, 2026.
The official statement from Al-Ahli confirmed the postponement, noting that the new date will be announced at a later time.
