Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE Pro League unveiled details of the 2026-2027 football season during a technical workshop held in Dubai with club representatives. Proposed amendments and the agenda for the upcoming season were discussed as part of the League’s efforts to develop the professional system and enhance integration among its various components.
The workshop included a review of the most anticipated technical modifications to the new season’s competitions. Discussions also covered the competition calendar, aiming to achieve a balance between the various tournaments and enhance organizational efficiency according to the highest international standards.
Team rosters and player numbers remain unchanged
The league decided to keep the first team roster unchanged, with 25 players, including 15 local players, 5 residents, and 5 foreigners.
It was also decided that the match roster in the ADNOC Pro League would include 23 players, including 12 foreign and resident players, with 8 of them allowed to participate on the field.
New system for the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup
For the Emaar Super Cup and the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup, 12 foreign and resident players will be included in the match squad, with 9 of them taking part on the field.
Dates set for the UAE-Qatar Super Cup and Emaar Super Cup
The new season is scheduled to start on August 14, 2026, with the final match to be held on June 4, 2027. The UAE-Qatar Super Cup will be held from December 17 to 20, 2026, and the Emaar Super Cup will be held on November 29 of the same year.
The new proposals included modifying the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup format to a single round-robin league system, with the top 8 teams qualifying for the knockout stages.
The summer registration period extends until the end of September
It was also decided that the summer transfer window would run from July 13 to September 28, 2026. The under-23 registration system will remain in place. Additionally, goalkeepers born in 2006 will be eligible to participate in the new format of the Professional Cup.
Amendments to the participation of foreigners and residents in matches
The proposals for the 2027-2028 season include allowing resident goalkeepers to participate in the ADNOC Pro League, provided they were born in 2005 and registered for three consecutive seasons. Additionally, the Under-23 league will be abolished, and reserve teams will be included in the second division. This move reflects a comprehensive approach to developing the professional system and enhancing the competitiveness of Emirati football.
The workshop was attended by Hassan Taleb Al-Marri, a member of the league’s board of directors and head of the technical committee, along with Musab Al-Marzouqi, the executive director, and a number of other officials. There was active participation from club representatives, underscoring the partnership approach to developing the sport.
Hassan Taleb Al Marri affirmed that the League believes in the importance of partnerships with professional clubs as a fundamental pillar of the football system. He also emphasized the Board of Directors’ commitment, under the leadership of Abdullah Nasser Al Junaibi, to strengthening communication with all stakeholders, based on the conviction that collaborative work is the path to success and sustainability.
