Omar Mugharbel

CEO

Omar Mugharbel has been serving as the CEO of the Saudi Pro League since January 2024, responsible for managing and developing the most prominent football competition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which features prestigious clubs and attracts global stars. He is leading the league's comprehensive transformation as part of an ambitious strategy to turn it into one of the world's leading sports leagues. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the American University in Dubai and completed the Executive Leadership Program at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. He began his career at Unilever, holding several marketing roles and rising to the position of Marketing Manager. He later served as Marketing Manager at eXtra Electronics in the Saudi market, then as a Partner at Aboab & Co Consulting. He led IKEA operations in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain from 2016 to 2023 in multiple roles, including CEO, Deputy CEO, Commercial Manager, and Brand Manager. During this period, he oversaw the company's expansion in the growing Saudi market and the development of digital and in-store customer experiences amid major transformations in the Kingdom's retail sector. He is known for his extensive experience in managing major global brands in the Saudi market and his ability to lead complex organizational transformations. He combines rich expertise in retail, marketing, and sports management, giving him a unique perspective on managing major sports organizations with an advanced global business mindset. He will participate in LEAP 2026 to share his vision on the role of technology in developing the sports and entertainment industry and enhancing the digital fan experience, amid the Kingdom's massive investments in the sports sector under Vision 2030 to transform Saudi Arabia into a leading global sports and entertainment destination.