Abu Dhabi, UAE – The 2026-2027 season of the UAE Pro League kicks off tomorrow, Friday. The tournament begins amidst high hopes from the clubs for a strong start, with the anticipated competition for the title and top positions, as well as the battle to avoid relegation.
Al Ain begins its title defense with an away match against Bani Yas on Sunday. This will be an early test for the defending champions against a team looking to bounce back after finishing tenth last season.
Al Ain had defeated Bani Yas 3-2 in their last league encounter, while Bani Yas’s last victory against their rivals dates back to March 2021, when they won 2-1.
The round kicks off with a match between Al Nasr, who finished sixth last season, and Kalba, who finished eleventh. Kalba managed to avoid relegation.
On the same day, Al Wahda, who finished fifth last season, will face Ajman, who finished seventh. Both teams will be looking to secure their first three points of the season.
The round continues on Saturday with Al Dhafra facing Sharjah. Shabab Al Ahli will visit Khor Fakkan, while Al Wasl will meet Dubai United, one of the newly promoted teams to the UAE league.
The first round of matches concludes on Sunday when Al Jazira hosts newly promoted Hatta. Al Ain then faces Bani Yas to finale the round’s fixtures.
UAE league clubs are looking to make a positive start to the new season, whether by competing for the title or securing a top finish. Meanwhile, other teams are striving to avoid getting caught up in the relegation battle early on.
