appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Lars Hamer

Al-Hilal have reportedly withdrawn from next month’s Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong, although that did not stop fans snapping up the first tranche of tickets on Tuesday.
The defending champions, who reached the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup earlier this month, cited player exhaustion as their reason for pulling out in communications with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), according to several media reports.
Riydah-based sports journalist Hamad Al-Suwailihi also posted on X that the club, who were expected to play Al-Qadisiyah at Hong Kong Stadium on August 19, had told the federation of their decision.
However, a spokesman for the event, said organisers “had not received any notification or updates from the SAFF regarding changes to the participating teams”.
Local media reports in Saudi Arabia said the federation was reportedly reviewing what actions would be taken against the club, including a 500,000-riyal (US$133,300) fine and a potential ban from the next edition.

رسمياً .. #الهلال يعتذر رسمياً عن المشاركة في كأس السوبر السعودي عبر خطاب رسمي بعثه للاتحاد السعودي اليوم . pic.twitter.com/k660nnrvck
— حمد الصويلحي (@H_swilhy) July 13, 2025

On Tuesday, the first batch of tickets for the tournament, which also involves Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr side and Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad, sold out within an hour of going online, organisers said.
A check by the Post on Klook, the official ticket-selling platform, showed that all tickets were listed as sold out at around 1pm on Tuesday. The website also showed Al-Hilal as still taking part, although came with a disclaimer that “participating teams and might be subject to change without further notice”.
Organisers said that Tuesday’s allocation was “the first round of priority sale tickets” and another batch would go on sale on July 24 at noon.
However, there was no confirmation as to how many tickets had been sold, nor how many would be released next Thursday. Tickets for the event range from HK$500 to almost HK$3,000.
The tournament’s appearance in Hong Kong will mark the first time it has been played in East Asia, with Hong Kong becoming only the second location it has been held in outside Saudi Arabia, after London hosted it three times from 2015.

In the other semi-final, Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr side will take on last season’s King’s Cup and Saudi Pro League (SPL) double winners Al-Ittihad, who boast the likes of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante among their number, on August 19 – the first day of the event.
Al-Hilal, who were runners-up in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League, have won the Saudi Super Cup five times.
Earlier this month, they beat Manchester City 4-3 in the Club World Cup before losing 2-1 to Fluminense in the quarter-finals.
The side also have former Premier League players among their ranks, including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves.
Al-Alhi, who have former Premier League champion players in Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez and Liverpool league title winner Roberto Firmino, have been touted as potential replacements.


Mired in match-fixing scandal, Hong Kong’s next opponents Laos hope reinvention holds key

Hong Kong hero back in town for Fifa Asean Cup, as current coach plays down key-man exit

After chaotic start, are five-time Hong Kong champions a club in crisis or transition?

Fok fudges but Hong Kong football chiefs appear ready to make Gianni Infantino their man

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Al-Hilal withdraw from Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong as fans snap up tickets

Brazilian forward Malcom celebrates after Al Hilal beat Manchester City in the Club World Cup. Photo: AFP

Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr side will face Al-Ittihaddpa on the opening day. Photo: dpa

Meet Hong Kong’s father-daughter duo out to make National Games a family affair

Tiffany Jia with her father Jia Dong-jin at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. Photo: Tiffany Jia

Tiffany Jia in action during the Hong Kong Athletics Series 2025 at Wan Chai Sports Ground. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong’s flag footballers eye spot at Los Angeles Olympics in 2028

Hong Kong’s flag footballers are looking to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in LA, where the sport is set to feature prominently. Photo: TNS

Sport

Hong Kong

Football

One of the kingdom’s biggest teams might not be coming next month because their players are tired after Club World Cup display


One of the kingdom’s biggest teams might not be coming next month because their players are tired after Club World Cup display.


Al-Hilal withdraw from Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong as fans snap up tickets

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}One of the kingdom’s biggest teams might not be coming next month because their players are tired after Club World Cup display

One of the kingdom’s biggest teams might not be coming next month because their players are tired after Club World Cup display