UAE Pro League kicks Off 2025–26 season with smart draw and major clashes
The ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including H.E. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of ADNOC, and H.E. Abdulla Nasser Al Jneibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League and First Vice President of the UAE Football Association. Representatives from clubs, sponsors, and football stakeholders were also present.
Round-by-Round Draw for Maximum Excitement
This season, the ADNOC Pro League introduced a new draw mechanism, with fixtures determined round-by-round instead of the traditional full-season schedule. This format mirrors best practices from top leagues such as the English Premier League, Serie A, and Bundesliga.
The system uses artificial intelligence, including OpenAI-powered tools, to ensure a balanced and competitive schedule. It considers multiple factors including: Avoiding multiple high-profile matches in a single round, preventing more than two matches in the same city per matchweek, equitable home-and-away splits and accommodating clubs with continental or international commitments
Opening week matchups include Shabab Al Ahli vs. Al Dhafra; Ajman vs. Al Wahda; Dibba vs. Sharjah; Al Ain vs. Al Bataeh; Kalba vs. Al Nasr; Khorfakkan vs. Al Jazira and Al Wasl vs. Bani Yas
The opening rounds of the 2025–26 ADNOC Pro League season promise a series of high-stakes encounters, with several marquee matchups scheduled in the first six weeks.
In Week 2, title contenders Shabab Al Ahli will face Al Wahda in a clash of heavyweights, while Sharjah meet Al Jazira in another early test of strength.
Week 3 sees Al Wasl take on Al Ain in what is expected to be a tightly contested encounter, and Al Jazira continue their tough run of fixtures against Al Nasr.
In Week 4, Al Nasr will host Shabab Al Ahli in a key fixture that could influence early momentum.
Week 5 is packed with blockbuster games, including Shabab Al Ahli vs. Al Ain, Al Jazira vs. Al Wahda, and Al Wasl vs. Sharjah—three matches that could set the tone for the title race.
The highly anticipated Dubai Derby between Al Wasl and Al Nasr will headline Week 6, drawing fans from across the city in one of the league's most iconic fixtures.
These early matchweeks are set to shape the narrative of the season, offering fans a strong lineup of competitive and emotionally charged matchups right from the start.
In the second half of the season, opening fixtures include Al Wahda vs. Dibba, Al Dhafra vs. Sharjah, and Ajman vs. Shabab Al Ahli.
ADIB Cup: High-Stakes Knockout Draw
The ADIB Cup draw revealed some intriguing matchups in the opening round, promising early drama in the knockout competition.
The draw for the 2025–26 ADIB Cup has produced a competitive bracket with several key matchups in the early stages.
In the first group of fixtures, Al Nasr will take on Al Bataeh, with the winner set to face Shabab Al Ahli in the next round. Sharjah will meet Dibba, and the victor from that tie will go on to play the winner of the Al Ain vs. Khorfakkan encounter.
In the second group, Al Wasl is drawn against Al Dhafra, with the winner advancing to face reigning champions Al Jazira. Meanwhile, Al Wahda will play Ajman, and the winner of that tie will meet either Bani Yas or Khorfakkan in the subsequent round.
The draw sets up the potential for high-stakes encounters early in the tournament, promising strong competition as clubs aim for a place in the later knockout rounds.
eUAE Pro League Championship: Focus on Digital Growth
The draw also included the sixth edition of the eUAE Pro League Championship, underlining the League's growing commitment to esports and digital engagement.
Group A comprises Bani Yas, Al Bataeh, Sharjah, Kalba, Ajman, Dibba and Al Jazira while Group B includes Khorfakkan, Al Wasl, Al Ain, Al Wahda, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Nasr, Al Dhafra
The UAE Pro League emphasized its belief in esports as a key pillar for future growth, aligning with global trends and the UAE's AI and digital strategies. The league sees esports as an avenue to reach younger audiences and be part of a growing international ecosystem.
This multi-competition draw ceremony reflects the UAE Pro League's efforts to enhance professionalism, leverage smart technologies, and align with international best practices in both sport and digital innovation.
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