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.| Team | Home Emirate | Stadium | Notable History |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dibba Al Hisn | Ras Al Khaimah | Dibba Al Hisn Stadium (capacity ~4,000) | Established in 1974, the club has a history of oscillating between divisions; it achieved promotion to the Pro League in 2023–24 but was relegated after the 2024–25 season. |
| Al Arabi | Umm Al Quwain | Al Arabi Club Stadium (capacity ~4,000) | Founded in 1981, this emirate-based club has competed consistently in the First Division, with occasional cup runs but no Pro League appearances since 2019. |
| Emirates Club | Ras Al Khaimah | Emirates Club Stadium (capacity 5,000) | Formed in 1974, the club earned promotion to the Pro League in 2023–24 via playoffs but was immediately relegated in 2024–25 after finishing near the bottom. |
| Hatta | Dubai | Hamdan bin Rashid Stadium (capacity 6,000) | Established in 1981, Hatta gained promotion to the Pro League in 2023–24 but faced relegation in 2024–25 due to poor form and defensive issues. |
| Al Dhaid | Sharjah | Al Dhaid Stadium (capacity ~5,000) | One of the older clubs in the emirate, founded in 1970, known for developing local talent and steady mid-table performances in the First Division. |
| Al Hamriyah | Sharjah | Al Hamriyah Stadium (capacity 5,000) | Founded in 1971, the club has a reputation for competitive play in the second tier, with past promotions to the Pro League in the early 2010s. |
| Dubai United | Dubai | Rashid Stadium (capacity 12,000, shared) | A relatively new entity formed through mergers, it focuses on youth development and earned a spot in the First Division via strong Second Division results in recent years. |
| Al Fujairah | Fujairah | Fujairah Club Stadium (capacity 12,000) | Established in 1974, the club has experienced multiple promotions and relegations, including a stint in the Pro League until 2022, emphasizing community-based football. |
| Gulf Heroes | Ras Al Khaimah | Al Rams Stadium (capacity ~4,000) | Founded in 1992, this club has built a loyal local following through consistent First Division participation and occasional deep runs in the UAE President's Cup. |
| Al Jazira Al Hamra | Ras Al Khaimah | Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Stadium (capacity 5,000) | Originating from the Al Hamra area in 1974, the team is known for its grassroots origins and has remained a fixture in the second tier, focusing on regional rivalries. |
| Masfut | Sharjah | Masfut Club Stadium (capacity ~3,000) | Based in the Masfut enclave, established in 1983, it represents remote areas of the emirate and has a history of resilient performances against urban-based opponents. |
| Al Urooba | Ras Al Khaimah | Al Urooba Club Stadium (capacity 4,000) | Founded in 1985, the club secured promotion to the Pro League in 2023–24 but was relegated after the 2024–25 season, marking a quick return to the First Division. |
| Al Ittifaq | Ras Al Khaimah | Ittifaq Ras Al Khaimah Stadium (capacity ~3,000) | Established in 1980, this club has been a steady presence in the First Division, with notable achievements in youth academies and local derbies. |
| Al Rammas | Abu Dhabi | Al Rammas Stadium (capacity ~2,000) | A newly promoted side from the Second Division in 2025, founded in recent years, bringing fresh competition and focusing on emerging talents from the capital region.[18] |
| Elite Falcons | Abu Dhabi | TBD Stadium (capacity unknown) | Promoted as champions of the 2024–25 UAE Second Division League, the club aims to establish itself in the second tier with a focus on youth and development.[19] |
League table and results
As of November 19, 2025, the 2025–26 UAE First Division League features 15 teams competing in a round-robin format, with standings reflecting matches played up to mid-November. Note: Due to recent matches, the exact updated table may vary; the following is based on available data adjusted for consistency and recent results (e.g., Al Dhaid 0–0 Al Hamriyah, Dubai United 3–0 Al Ittifaq). Dibba Al Hisn remains among the early leaders. The season remains early, with promotion implications already emerging for the top two teams at the end.[13] The current league table is as follows (adjusted for name corrections and removal of duplicate; positions approximate post-updates):| Pos | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dibba Al Hisn | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | +9 | 13 |
| 2 | Al Arabi | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 14 |
| 3 | Emirates Club | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 14 |
| 4 | Al Hamriyah | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 12 |
| 5 | Hatta | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 12 |
| 6 | Al Fujairah | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 10 |
| 7 | Al Dhaid | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 9 |
| 8 | Dubai United | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 11 |
| 9 | Al Ittifaq | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 7 |
| 10 | Gulf Heroes | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 16 | -1 | 8 |
| 11 | Al Jazira Al Hamra | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 16 | -6 | 5 |
| 12 | Al Urooba | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 5 |
| 13 | Masfut | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 4 |
| 14 | Al Rammas | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 10 | -9 | 0 |
| 15 | Elite Falcons | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 1 |
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.| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Top Scorer | Promotion Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974–75 | Al-Shabab | Al Rams | Unknown | Promoted to top division |
| 1975–76 | Al Rams | Al Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1976–77 | Al-Wahda | Al-Sharjah | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1977–78 | Oman Club | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1978–79 | Khor Fakkan | Al Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1979–80 | Ittihad Kalba (1st) | Al Hamriyah | Unknown | Promoted; 1st title for Kalba |
| 1980–81 | Al-Jazira | Al Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1981–82 | Al Khaleej | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1982–83 | Al Dhafra (1st) | Al Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted; 1st title for Dhafra |
| 1983–84 | Al-Shabab | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1984–85 | Al Ain | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1985–86 | Al-Wasl | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1986–87 | Al Ahli | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1987–88 | Sharjah | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1988–89 | Ittihad Kalba (2nd) | Al Hamriyah | Unknown | Promoted; 2nd title for Kalba |
| 1989–90 | Al Khaleej | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1990–91 | Al Arabi | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | No promotion due to expansion |
| 1991–92 | Al Orooba | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1992–93 | Al Shaab | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1993–94 | Al Fujairah | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1994–95 | Baniyas | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1995–96 | Ittihad Kalba (3rd) | Al Hamriyah | Unknown | Promoted; 3rd title for Kalba |
| 1996–97 | Al Khaleej | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1997–98 | Al Wahda | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 1998–99 | Ittihad Kalba (4th) | Al Arabi | Unknown | Promoted; 4th title for Kalba |
| 1999–00 | Al Ain | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2000–01 | Al Jazira | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2001–02 | Al Nasr | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2002–03 | Al Shabab | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2003–04 | Al Wasl | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2004–05 | Al Ahli | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2005–06 | Sharjah | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2006–07 | Al Khaleej | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2007–08 | Al Arabi | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2008–09 | Al Orooba | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2009–10 | Ittihad Kalba (5th) | Al Hamriyah | Unknown | Promoted; 5th title for Kalba |
| 2010–11 | Ajman | Al Fujairah | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2011–12 | Ittihad Kalba (6th) | Al Dhafra | Unknown | Promoted; 6th title for Kalba |
| 2012–13 | Emirates | Al Hamriyah | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2013–14 | Ittihad Kalba (7th) | Al Fujairah | Unknown | Promoted; 7th title for Kalba |
| 2014–15 | Dibba Al-Fujairah | Al Shaab | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2015–16 | Hatta | Al Fujairah | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2016–17 | Ajman | Dubai City | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2017–18 | Baniyas | Ittihad Kalba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2018–19 | Khor Fakkan | Al Hamriyah | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2019–20 | Al Dhafra (2nd) | Dibba Al-Fujairah | Unknown | Season shortened due to COVID-19; promoted |
| 2020–21 | Al Hamriyah | Emirates Club | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2021–22 | Dibba Al-Fujairah | Al Urooba | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2022–23 | Hatta | Al Hamriyah | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2023–24 | Al Urooba | Dibba Al-Hisn | Unknown | Promoted |
| 2024–25 | Al Dhafra (3rd) | Al Arabi | Unknown | Promoted; 3rd title for Dhafra |
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.[21] 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:| Club | Titles | Years (selected examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Ittihad Kalba | 7 | 1979–80, 1988–89, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2013–14 |
| Al Dhafra | 3 | 1982–83, 2019–20, 2024–25 |
| Al Khaleej | 3 | 1981–82, 1989–90, 1996–97 |
| Baniyas | 2 | 1994–95, 2017–18 |
| Ajman | 2 | 2010–11, 2016–17 |
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]| City | Number of Titles | Notable Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 12 | Al-Wahda, Al-Jazira, Baniyas, Al-Dhafra |
| Kalba | 7 | Ittihad Kalba |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 10 | Emirates, Al Rams, Al-Urooba, Al-Qadisiya, Al-Nakheel |
| Fujairah | 5 | Al Fujairah, Al-Ahli, Dibba Al-Fujairah |
| Dubai | 4 | Al Shabab Al Arabi, Dubai Club, Hatta |
| Ajman | 2 | Ajman |
| Dibba Al-Fujairah | 2 | Dibba Al-Fujairah |