DAZN secures UK broadcast rights to the Saudi Pro League, so fans can watch every game of the new season

DAZN has secured exclusive live rights to screen this season’s Saudi Pro League matches in the UK ahead of the start of the competition this Friday.

Mail Sport has learned that every match of the season will be available live on the streaming service, starting with Friday’s match between Al-Ahli Saudi and Al-Hazm.

Steven Gerrard’s first game as manager of Al Ettifaq against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr is the culmination of the first round this Monday in a clash that illustrates the growing interest in what has been the most talked about competition in the world this summer.

Saudi Pro League clubs have emerged as a real threat to Europe’s top sides in the transfer market, spending more than £350 million on new players, including Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, Karim Benzema and Ruben Neves.

Sky Sports grabbed the digital rights to broadcast Saudi Pro League matches midway through last season after Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr, but the DAZN deal is the first to commit to broadcasting the league for a full season.

The streaming service has also bought the rights to show matches in Germany and Austria and hopes to expand their coverage to the United States while negotiations are underway.