Al‑Hilal

is one of Asia’s football giants – and one set to only get bigger and bolder as Saudi Arabia continues its mission to dominate global sports.

Founded in Riyadh in 1957, the club’s name means “crescent moon” in Arabic—Al‑Hilal—a symbol deeply woven into Islamic culture. The crescent marks new beginnings, the renewal of a cycle, often signalling the arrival of Ramadan or major festivals. It carries connotations of hope, transformation, and unity—qualities the club has embraced since day one.

Their badge embodies that symbolism. The club’s crest features sweeping blue stripes intersected by crescent shapes, a nod to tradition and their name’s meaning. In 2022 Al‑Hilal unveiled this simplified, modern design in which the negative space between three parallel blue lines forms both an “H” for Hilal and an “S” for Saudi – look closely and you’ll see it – it’s actually quite clever. Within and around those stripes, crescent motifs echo their heritage. The redesign was a deliberate effort to merge aesthetic clarity with symbolic weight—shielding the club’s values in a visual language that speaks to both roots and ambition.

But it was on the international stage that the crescent truly took centre‑stage. Ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Puma teamed up with streetwear label KidSuper to design Al‑Hilal’s tournament kit. And at its heart sat a bold crescent moon across the torso—glowing in gold against a blue background. It was a direct tribute to the club’s name and meaning, a visual affirmation that this club stands for renewal and hope as much as for football prowess Even the club’s white away kit for the 2025–26 season drew inspiration from the moon—linking shirt design back to identity, innovation, and Islamic tradition.

Historically, Al‑Hilal has been dominant at home and on the continent. They have a record eight AFC Champions League titles and regularly qualify for the Club World Cup. Their trophy case also includes multiple Saudi Pro League crowns and continental silverware dating back to the 1990s. The club blends big money superstars with a productive youth development system.

Al-Hilal is based in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1957, the club has grown alongside the rapid transformation of the city itself—from a modest desert town into a sprawling, modern metropolis at the heart of the Arab world.

Riyadh’s history stretches back centuries as a key oasis settlement on ancient trade routes, but it truly rose to prominence in the 20th century when it became the political and administrative centre of the newly unified Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. Since then, the city has experienced extraordinary growth, shaped by oil wealth, urban development, and state-led modernisation. Today, Riyadh is a powerhouse of finance, education, governance, and culture—home to millions of people from across the kingdom and around the world.

Al‑Hilal is 75% owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), with the remaining 25% held by the Al‑Hilal Non‑Profit Foundation. This ownership ties the club directly into the broader Vision 2030 strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a global powerhouse in sport and entertainment. PIF also owns Savvy Games Group, which has become a major player in the global gaming industry. Through its acquisition of mobile game giant Scopely, Savvy controls hits like MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, and Star Trek™ Fleet Command, and recently agreed a $3.5 billion deal to acquire Pokémon GO and other social gaming titles from Niantic. Just as Savvy is using gaming to project Saudi influence to a global audience, just as Al‑Hilal is doing with football.

Next time you spot that crescent—especially the striking oversized version on the Club World Cup kit—remember it stands for more than aesthetics. It stands for Al‑Hilal itself—a club rooted in meaning, rising with purpose – and more than ready for the next cycle.

You’ve not heard the last of Al-Hilal, far, far from it.