Publication Of The Amendments To The Statute Of The Saudi Sports Arbitration Center

The Saudi Sports Arbitration Center (SSAC) has published, through its official website, the amendments to its Statute as approved by the General Assembly of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) at its twenty-ninth meeting held on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, upon the proposal of the SSAC’s Board of Directors.

The amendments include revisions to Paragraph (1) of Article (8) of the Statute concerning the jurisdiction of SSAC. Specifically, Subparagraph (a) has been amended and a new Subparagraph (b) has been introduced, granting SSAC jurisdiction over financial disputes arising out of sports sponsorship agreements, sports investment agreements, television and radio broadcasting agreements, sports event organization agreements, and other related agreements, provided that one of the parties to the dispute is a member of the sports ecosystem and that the agreement between the parties, or a subsequent written agreement, expressly provides for arbitration through SSAC.

The amendments also include changes to Article (19) of the Statute relating to the Ordinary Arbitration Chamber, by adding the requirement that the agreement concluded between the parties to the dispute, or a subsequent written agreement, expressly stipulate recourse to arbitration through SSAC.

Professor Mohammed bin Nasser Bassam, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SSAC, stated that these amendments form part of the SSAC’s continuing efforts to develop the legal and procedural framework governing the resolution of sports disputes and disputes related to sport, in a manner that keeps pace with the rapid growth of sports sponsorship and investment agreements and the financial disputes that may arise therefrom.

He further explained that the amendments enhance the clarity of SSAC’s jurisdiction over such disputes by emphasizing the necessity of a written arbitration agreement, whether incorporated within the relevant contract or concluded through a subsequent agreement. This, in turn, strengthens the legal basis of SSAC’s jurisdiction, reinforces the enforceability of its arbitral awards, and contributes to the stability of the investment and dispute-resolution environment within the sports sector.

The publication of these amendments is made pursuant to Article (47) of the Statute, which provides that the Board shall publish the Statute, and any amendments thereto, on SSAC’s website within a period not exceeding seven days from the date of notification of the relevant approval. The Statute and its amendments shall become effective on the day following their publication on SSAC’s website.