- Kings League signs a media rights deal with MBC Group for Kings Cup MENA.
- Matches run across five days from 24 October to 15 November 2025 in Riyadh.
- Broadcast on MBC Action with streaming on Shahid at no extra cost to watch live.
- Aboflah joins as one of eight team presidents alongside creators from KSA, Morocco and Egypt.
- Deal builds on MBC’s prior coverage of Kings League global events.
Kings League has picked its regional heavyweight. The creator-led seven-a-side competition is teaming up with MBC Group to bring Kings Cup MENA to TV and streaming across the Arab world. Games will be played in Riyadh and spread over five days between 24 October and 15 November 2025, airing free on MBC Action and streaming on Shahid. The format that turned heads online in Spain now gets a Middle East debut with big local creators involved, including Aboflah.
What’s actually been announced
Kings League has agreed a “major media rights partnership” with MBC Group to broadcast and stream Kings Cup MENA across the region. The event is the first official competition under the Kings League MENA banner.
- Rights holder: Kings League
- Broadcaster: MBC Action (free-to-air)
- Streamer: Shahid (OTT)
- Territory: MENA
- Staging: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Event window: 24 Oct to 15 Nov 2025 (five matchdays)
In plain terms, you won’t need a niche subscription to watch. It’s on a mainstream regional channel and Shahid, so UAE viewers can flick between satellite and app without juggling logins like it’s exam week. The tournament launches the MENA edition of Kings League formally, not just a one-off showpiece.
When and where to watch in the UAE
Fixtures run on five days across the 24 Oct to 15 Nov window, broadcast live from Riyadh. Coverage is on MBC Action with live streaming on Shahid. Timings will follow Gulf Standard Time.
- Dates: 24 October, through to the final on 15 November 2025
- Location: Riyadh, KSA
- Platforms: MBC Action on TV; Shahid for streaming
- Access: Free live coverage per the broadcaster’s carriage
For household reality: if your family TV is annexed by a Turkish drama, Shahid on mobile bails you out. If you want a quick primer on Shahid’s broader offer, we’ve covered recent MBC bundle moves here: MBC and Netflix join forces in the Middle East.
Who’s involved: presidents and partners
Kings Cup MENA will feature teams fronted by major regional creators. Aboflah joins the line-up of presidents, alongside SHoNgxBoNg and Drb7h from Saudi Arabia, Ilyas Elmaliki from Morocco, and Tarboun from Egypt.
- New president: Aboflah
- Other creators: SHoNgxBoNg, Drb7h, Ilyas Elmaliki, Tarboun
- League founder: Gerard Piqué
- Regional JV partner: SURJ Sports Investments (a PIF company)
It’s the same creator-first model that put Kings League on the map in Spain. Expect player drafts, fast subs and rule twists that keep things frantic and very watchable. The MENA venture itself is a joint project with SURJ Sports Investments, signalling the push to grow the regional sports economy.
Why this matters for MENA sports media
MBC already aired Kings League’s global tournaments, so this is an expansion, not a gamble. The rights bring a social-native football product into prime regional distribution, which matters for reach and ad sales.
- Builds on MBC’s prior coverage of Kings World Cup Clubs and Nations
- Extends a digital-first format to mainstream TV
- Targets youth audiences that live on streams and short video
- Uses Riyadh as a live events hub
The promise is simple: a football show built for phones, now on your TV at decent hours. That blend makes sense in the Gulf, where sport events are fast becoming weekend programming. It also gives MBC a sports-entertainment format that isn’t shackled to traditional league calendars.
Scale and reach claims, minus the fluff
Kings League says it racked up 9.5 billion social impressions and 900 million live streaming views in 2024–25, with broadcasts in 120+ territories for the season finale. The MENA launch is billed as the seventh market in its expansion since 2023.
- Social: 9.5B impressions, 900M live views (2024–25)
- Distribution: grand finale broadcast in 120+ territories
- Expansion: MENA is the seventh major territory since Spain
Numbers don’t score goals, but they do make ad sellers smile. If even a fraction of that attention translates locally, the audience floor in the UAE should be healthy. With MBC’s reach and Shahid’s footprint, discovery won’t be the problem. Keeping viewers engaged across five days is the real test.
What is Kings Cup MENA?
The first official competition under Kings League MENA, staged in Riyadh with five matchdays between 24 Oct and 15 Nov 2025.
Where can I watch in the UAE?
Live on MBC Action and on Shahid for streaming. Coverage is free to watch live per the broadcaster.
Who’s behind Kings League MENA?
Kings League founded by Gerard Piqué, in joint venture with SURJ Sports Investments, a PIF company.
Which creators are team presidents?
Aboflah plus SHoNgxBoNg, Drb7h, Ilyas Elmaliki and Tarboun are named among the presidents.
Has MBC worked with Kings League before?
Yes. MBC previously showed Kings League’s annual tournaments, such as Kings World Cup Clubs and Kings World Cup Nations.
