The Roshn Saudi League (RSL) has partnered with football media and culture company Footballco to deliver creator-led livestreams of selected matches through its YouTube and social video brand, GOAL’s Front Three.
The partnership begins with Al Qadsiah against Al Hilal on October 23. The broadcasts will combine live match footage in selected markets with discussion and commentary from GOAL’s Front Three creators.
Further broadcasts scheduled before the end of the year include the Jeddah Derby between Al Ittihad and Al Ahli on November 26, followed by the Riyadh Derby between Al Nassr and Al Hilal on December 10.
The livestreams will be available to fans in the UK and Ireland, Belgium, the Nordic countries and Canada.
Footballco will also draw on its creator-led Middle East brand, Yalla GOAL, to build interest ahead of the matches. Hosts Youssef Othman and Amn Ghelioun will provide context on players to watch, emerging talent and the storylines behind each fixture.
Following the matches, clips from the broadcasts will be distributed across GOAL’s Front Three accounts on TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
The partnership sits alongside Footballco’s agreement with Recast, the platform powering the Saudi Pro League’s new distribution model, to stream live RSL matches directly on GOAL. The model allows approved publishers and content partners to offer matches through their own digital platforms, providing additional access points for international audiences.
Andy Jackson, SVP Middle East for Footballco, said: “While we’re looking forward to offering fans the ability to stream matches from the RSL on GOAL this season through Recast, we wanted to offer fans something different and the chance to experience some of the biggest games this season in a unique way with the creators they’re used to seeing on a daily basis.
“We’ve seen this approach work before, with our watch-a-long broadcast and social content from last year’s Riyadh Derby being viewed 3.8 million times.
“We also recognise that we have an opportunity to grow awareness and fandom of the RSL in these markets, through GOAL’s Front Three broadcasts, which can then translate into a transactional relationship on our website through our relationship with RSL and Recast.”
Mohamed Rassmy, Digital Media Rights Director at RSL, said: “Our partnership with Footballco reflects the Roshn Saudi League’s commitment to finding innovative ways to connect with international audiences and grow the Roshn Saudi League’s global fanbase.”
He added: “By combining live football with the reach and influence of established digital creators, we can engage fans on the platforms they already use, while making the RSL more accessible and building stronger relationships with supporters around the world.”