UAE First Division League

The UAE First Division League is the second tier of professional football in the United Arab Emirates, established in 1974 as part of the nation's developing football pyramid under the UAE Football Association.^[1] It features 15 teams competing in a single national division over a season that typically runs from September to May, with each club playing a home-and-away round-robin format for a total of 28 matches per team.^[2] The top two finishers earn automatic promotion to the top-flight UAE Pro League, while the bottom three teams face relegation to the UAE Second Division League, a system formalized with the third tier's introduction in 2019.^[1] Governed by the UAE Football Association, the league serves as a crucial pathway for clubs aspiring to professional status, fostering talent development and regional representation across the seven emirates.^[2] Ittihad Kalba holds the record for most titles with seven championships, underscoring the league's competitive history since its inception shortly after the UAE's formation in 1971.^[2] Al-Dhafra are the most recent champions, having won the 2024–25 season, while notable clubs like Dibba Al-Fujairah and Al-Arabi have frequently contested for promotion in recent years.^[2] The competition emphasizes youth integration and infrastructure growth, aligning with broader UAE efforts to elevate domestic football standards ahead of international commitments.^[1]

History

Founding and early development

The UAE First Division League traces its origins to 1974, when the United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA) established it as the second tier of the national football structure. This development followed the inaugural top-tier UAE Football League season in 1973–74, which served as a trial championship to formalize competitive football across the emirates, thereby integrating lower divisions into a nascent national pyramid. The creation of the second tier aimed to broaden participation and provide a pathway for emerging clubs beyond local emirate-level competitions.^[3][4] In its early seasons, the league operated with a basic round-robin format among a modest number of participating teams, typically drawn from various emirates, though promotion and relegation links to the top division were not fully formalized until later years. The inaugural 1974–75 season was won by Al-Shabab from Dubai, marking the start of competitive play that emphasized regional representation. Subsequent early champions included Al-Rams from Ras Al-Khaimah in 1975–76 and Al-Wahda from Abu Dhabi in 1976–77, highlighting the initial involvement of clubs from key urban centers.^[5] During the 1970s and into the 1980s, the league saw notable success from teams in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, such as Ittihad Kalba's victory in 1979–80, reflecting the growing organizational maturity of UAE football under UAEFA oversight. This period laid the groundwork for the competition's role in talent development, with the league evolving alongside the top tier's official recognition in 1975–76. Over time, as the football pyramid expanded, the introduction of the UAE Second Division League as the third tier in 2019 formalized a three-tier professional system.^[5][4]

Structural changes and expansions

In the 2000s, the UAE First Division League transitioned toward a more standardized national format, moving away from earlier regional groupings to a unified structure typically featuring 14 to 15 teams per season, with promotion often determined through direct qualification or playoffs between top performers from preliminary stages.^[6][7] A significant reform occurred in 2019 when the UAE Football Association established the UAE Second Division League as the third tier, providing a structured relegation pathway from the First Division and formalizing a three-tier professional system to broaden participation and development opportunities across emirates.^[8][9] The league experienced further expansions in the early 2020s to enhance competitiveness and club stability; the 2021–22 season increased to 15 teams with no relegation implemented that year, followed by growth to 17 teams in 2022–23 through promotions from the Second Division.^[7] By the 2024–25 season, the format stabilized at 14 teams to optimize scheduling and resource allocation.^[10] The professionalization of the UAE Pro League, formalized in 2008, extended benefits to the First Division through shared ecosystem improvements, including major sponsorships and broadcast agreements in the 2010s that boosted visibility, funding, and infrastructure for lower-tier competitions.^[11][12]

Format and rules

Competition structure

The UAE First Division League follows a double round-robin format, in which each of the 15 participating teams competes against every other team twice—once at home and once away—resulting in a total of 28 matches per team over the course of the season.^[13] This structure ensures a balanced competition, with all fixtures scheduled by the league organizers to determine final standings based on points accumulated, where a win awards three points, a draw one point, and a loss none.^[14] The season typically spans from September to May, as exemplified by the 2025–26 campaign running from 19 September 2025 to 29 May 2026, allowing for a structured calendar that aligns with the broader UAE football season.^[15] Mid-season breaks are incorporated to accommodate international fixtures, such as AFC World Cup qualifiers, ensuring players can represent the national team without disrupting domestic commitments.^[2] In the event of tied points between teams, tie-breaking procedures are applied sequentially: first by points earned in head-to-head matches between the tied teams, followed by goal difference in those matches, then goals scored in head-to-head encounters; if still level, overall goal difference, total goals scored, fewer disciplinary points (with yellow cards counting as one point, indirect red cards as two, and direct red cards as three), and finally a draw of lots if necessary.^[14] The league is administered by the Competitions Department of the UAE Football Association (UAEFA), which oversees all operational aspects, including match scheduling, venue preparations (requiring stadiums to be ready by 1 August prior to the season start), and enforcement of squad registration rules.^[14] These rules mandate player registration periods, squad list approvals 90 minutes before kickoff, and limits on foreign players as determined by UAEFA regulations. Clubs must also provide match recordings to UAEFA and adhere to insurance requirements for all team members.^[14]

Promotion and relegation

The promotion and relegation system in the UAE First Division League determines vertical movement between the second tier and the UAE Pro League above it, as well as to the UAE Second Division League below, based primarily on final league standings. This structure ensures competitive balance across the Emirati football pyramid, with decisions overseen by the UAE Football Association (UAEFA).^[14] For promotion, the top two teams in the First Division League standings are automatically elevated to the UAE Pro League for the following season. This direct qualification rewards consistent performance in the round-robin format, where clubs play 28 matches each. The UAE Pro League Committee confirms the promotions during end-of-season general assembly meetings involving all professional clubs.^[16] In the 2024–25 season, Al Dhafra secured promotion by clinching the league title, marking their return to the top flight.^[17] Relegation from the First Division League typically affects the bottom two teams, who drop to the UAE Second Division League, though the precise number is set by the UAEFA Competitions Department and approved by the Board of Directors. Withdrawing clubs are automatically considered among the relegated teams.^[14] The board may adjust or cancel relegations in cases of force majeure, expansion, or other exceptional circumstances to maintain league stability. For instance, during the 2021–22 expansion season, no First Division clubs were relegated to accommodate the addition of two promoted teams from the Second Division, growing the league from 11 to 15 participants.^[7] Historically, the system has evolved to align with the professionalization of Emirati football, with the current two-team promotion standard solidified in the 2010s alongside the Pro League's fixed 14-team format. Occasional variations, such as increased promotions or playoff considerations for borderline positions, have been implemented to address league dynamics, but automatic qualification remains the core mechanism.^[14]

Current season

Participating teams

The 2025–26 UAE First Division League consists of 15 teams, drawn from across the United Arab Emirates' emirates, with representation primarily from Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Dubai, and Fujairah. These clubs compete in a round-robin format, with the top two earning promotion to the UAE Pro League. The season's roster reflects recent structural changes, including the relegation of Emirates Club and Hatta from the Pro League following their struggles in the 2024–25 campaign, where both finished in the bottom positions. Additionally, two teams were promoted from the UAE Second Division League: Al Rammas and Elite Falcons, replacing the two clubs promoted from this division to the Pro League (Al Dhafra and Dibba Al Fujairah).^[18][19] The teams are listed below with their home emirate, primary stadium, and key historical notes.

League table and results

The 2025–26 UAE First Division League features 15 teams competing in a round-robin format. Early standings as of November 19, 2025, reflected matches up to mid-November, with Dibba Al Hisn among the early leaders. Note: Standings have evolved as the season has progressed into 2026.^[13] The early league table (as of November 19, 2025) was as follows (adjusted for name corrections and recent results): *Notes: MP = Matches Played; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; GD = Goal Difference; Pts = Points. Tiebreakers prioritize head-to-head results. Standings adjusted for recent matches and team corrections; actual positions may differ slightly.^[13][2] As of February 2026, prior to the match on 16 February, Dibba Al Hisn demonstrated strong form and was in 2nd position in the standings. Majd FC, a competing team in the league, was in 13th position near the bottom of the table. A direct match between Majd FC and Dibba Al Hisn is scheduled for 16 February 2026.^[20] Key fixtures in November 2025 shaped the early standings, including Al Jazira Al Hamra's 1–2 defeat to Al Arabi on November 7, which boosted Al Arabi's promotion push while deepening Al Jazira Al Hamra's struggles in the relegation zone. Other notable results include Dibba Al Hisn's 3–0 win over Masfut on November 1, solidifying their lead, Al Hamriyah's 0–0 draw against Al Dhaid on November 15, and Dubai United's 3–0 win over Al Ittifaq on November 12. These matches highlight the league's competitiveness, with goal differences proving crucial in tight races.^[2][13] Season highlights thus far include Dibba Al Hisn's dominant start as early leaders, Al Hamriyah's surprising resurgence with strong defensive displays despite a mid-table position last season, and Al Arabi and Emirates Club as primary promotion contenders. Surprises such as Gulf Heroes' high-scoring but inconsistent form have added unpredictability, while bottom-side Al Rammas remains winless, facing early relegation pressure. The season continues with fixtures resuming after the international break.^[13][2]

Past seasons and champions

List of champions

The UAE First Division League has crowned a champion every season since its inception in the 1974–75 season, totaling 51 editions through 2024–25. Ittihad Kalba is the most successful club with seven titles, achieving dominance particularly during the 1980s and 2000s through consistent performances in the second tier. Al Dhafra FC claimed the latest title in 2024–25, marking their third overall victory and earning promotion to the UAE Pro League. While most seasons feature promotion for the winner (and sometimes runner-up), irregularities occurred in certain years, such as no promotion in 1990–91 due to league expansion from 10 to 12 teams. Note: Top scorer data is cross-referenced to the Records and statistics section; detailed individual stats are not included here. Promotion typically applies to the top two teams in recent formats, but historical variations exist due to structural changes.^[2][10][21]

Performance by club

Ittihad Kalba holds the record for the most UAE First Division League titles with seven, achieved across various seasons including their latest in 2013–14.^[22] Al Dhafra has three titles, while clubs like Ajman, Baniyas, and Al Urooba have multiple wins in recent decades.^[2] The following table summarizes the total championships won by the most successful clubs in the league's history, based on verified data: Other clubs like Al-Wahda, Al-Shabab, and Dibba Al-Fujairah have each won multiple titles, reflecting a broad distribution of success over the league's nearly five decades.^[2] In terms of additional metrics, Ittihad Kalba also leads in runner-up finishes with multiple second-place results, underscoring its consistent contention for promotion. No club has achieved more than two consecutive titles in the league, though early dominance by clubs from Sharjah, such as Al Rams in 1975–76, highlighted regional strength in the 1970s. Notable defunct or merged teams include Al-Shaab, which claimed two early victories in 1992–93 before its dissolution in 2017.^[23] Post-2000, the league has seen a shift toward greater competitiveness, with titles distributed among clubs from diverse emirates like Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah, and Fujairah, reducing early emirate-based monopolies and promoting broader national development in second-tier football.^[24]

Records and statistics

Performance by city and emirate

The UAE First Division League has seen a notable concentration of championships in specific cities, reflecting local football infrastructure and talent pools. Abu Dhabi leads with 12 titles, driven by clubs like Al-Wahda, Al-Jazira, Baniyas, and Al-Dhafra, followed by Kalba with 7 titles through Ittihad Kalba's consistent success, and Ras Al Khaimah with 10 titles, largely from Emirates Club, Al Rams, Al-Urooba, Al-Qadisiya, and Al-Nakheel. Other cities such as Fujairah (5 titles), Dubai (4 titles), and Ajman (2 titles) have contributed, underscoring the league's urban-centric achievements.^[5] At the emirate level, Sharjah leads with 15 titles, bolstered by successes from clubs in Kalba, Khor Fakkan, and Al Shaab, highlighting the region's strong youth academies and community support. Abu Dhabi follows with 12 titles, while Ras Al Khaimah accounts for 10, demonstrating competitive depth in the northern emirates. The remaining titles are distributed across Fujairah (5), Dubai (4), and Ajman (2), illustrating a broader but uneven geographic spread.^[5] Early in the league's history, Sharjah exhibited clear dominance, securing multiple titles in the 1970s and 1980s through clubs like Ittihad Kalba and Al-Khaleej, which capitalized on regional investments in sports facilities. This period established Sharjah as a football powerhouse in the second tier. In contrast, recent decades have shown diversification, with rising contributions from Dubai and Ajman clubs such as Hatta and Ajman, reflecting improved infrastructure and talent migration across emirates amid the UAE's national sports development initiatives.^[5] Emirate rivalries play a significant role in the league's cultural fabric, fostering intense local derbies that boost attendance and grassroots participation. Matches between Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah teams, for instance, often draw larger crowds due to inter-emirate pride, contributing to higher overall league attendance figures compared to non-rivalry games. These competitions have spurred development in youth programs and stadium upgrades, enhancing football's role in community building and national unity across the UAE.^[25][26]

Top scorers

The single-season goalscoring record in the UAE First Division League is held by Modibo Kane Diarra of the Ivory Coast, who netted 44 goals for Al-Ittihad Kalba during the 2007–08 season.^[27] Notable per-season top scorers include Nabil Daoudi of Morocco with 36 goals in the 2008–09 season for Al-Khaleej. In the 2024–25 season, Sander Benbachir of France led with 21 goals for champions Al-Dhafra. As of November 2025 in the 2025–26 season, early leaders include players from Dibba Al Hisn and Al Arabi, each with 4-5 goals in the opening matches.^[2] Foreign players have dominated the league's scoring records, reflecting the reliance on international talent for offensive firepower; however, no comprehensive all-time top scorers list exists due to incomplete historical data from the pre-1990s era.^[2]