emirates7 - The UAE Pro League has officially conducted the draw for the 2025–26 sports season, covering the ADNOC Pro League, the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) Cup, and the eUAE Pro League Championship. The event took place at the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) headquarters, the official sponsor of the ADNOC Pro League.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC’s Group CEO; Abdulla Nasser Al Jneibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League and First Vice President of the UAE Football Association; Saif Al Falahi, ADNOC’s Group Business Support and Special Tasks Director; Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of ADNOC Distribution; and Ahmed Al Mubarak from ADIB.
This year’s event also featured the draw for the sixth edition of the eUAE Pro League Championship, underscoring the League’s commitment to the rapidly growing world of eSports and its impact on younger generations.
For the fourth consecutive year, the UAE Pro League used its smart electronic draw system, first introduced in the 2021–22 season. This system is part of the League’s broader 2020–2030 strategy to modernize professional football, aligning with the UAE's digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031. Developed in collaboration with OpenAI technology, the system ensures fair scheduling by balancing marquee fixtures, limiting the number of games in the same city per matchweek, fairly distributing home and away matches, and accommodating clubs involved in international competitions.
A key innovation for this season is the introduction of a round-by-round draw model, following global best practices seen in leagues like the English Premier League, Serie A, and the Bundesliga. This format aims to enhance competitiveness and fan engagement by spreading out major fixtures across the calendar.
The ADIB Cup draw created early excitement with intense matchups. In Path 1, Al Nasr will play Al Bataeh, with the winner set to meet Shabab Al Ahli. Sharjah faces Dibba, while Al Ain takes on Khorfakkan — with the winners from each tie facing off in the next round.
In Path 2, defending champions Al Jazira will play the winner of Al Wasl vs. Al Dhafra. Meanwhile, Al Wahda meets Ajman, and Bani Yas faces Khorfakkan, with the victors clashing in the subsequent stage.
The ADNOC Pro League’s first round avoids major rivalries. Fixtures 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.
Top-tier clashes begin in matchweek two with Shabab Al Ahli taking on Al Wahda and Sharjah meeting Al Jazira. In matchweek three, Al Wasl faces Al Ain, and Al Jazira squares off against Al Nasr. Week four features Al Nasr vs. Shabab Al Ahli, while week five hosts three major matches: Shabab Al Ahli vs. Al Ain, Al Jazira vs. Al Wahda, and Al Wasl vs. Sharjah. The eagerly awaited “Dubai Derby” between Al Wasl and Al Nasr is set for week six.
The second half of the season kicks off with Al Wahda vs. Dibba, Al Dhafra vs. Sharjah, Ajman vs. Shabab Al Ahli, Al Nasr vs. Bani Yas, Al Bataeh vs. Al Jazira, Kalba vs. Al Ain, and Al Wasl vs. Khorfakkan.
In the eUAE Pro League Championship, Group A includes Bani Yas, Al Bataeh, Sharjah, Kalba, Ajman, Dibba, and Al Jazira. Group B features Khorfakkan, Al Wasl, Al Ain, Al Wahda, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Nasr, and Al Dhafra — promising a season full of competitive digital football action.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC’s Group CEO; Abdulla Nasser Al Jneibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League and First Vice President of the UAE Football Association; Saif Al Falahi, ADNOC’s Group Business Support and Special Tasks Director; Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of ADNOC Distribution; and Ahmed Al Mubarak from ADIB.
This year’s event also featured the draw for the sixth edition of the eUAE Pro League Championship, underscoring the League’s commitment to the rapidly growing world of eSports and its impact on younger generations.
For the fourth consecutive year, the UAE Pro League used its smart electronic draw system, first introduced in the 2021–22 season. This system is part of the League’s broader 2020–2030 strategy to modernize professional football, aligning with the UAE's digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031. Developed in collaboration with OpenAI technology, the system ensures fair scheduling by balancing marquee fixtures, limiting the number of games in the same city per matchweek, fairly distributing home and away matches, and accommodating clubs involved in international competitions.
A key innovation for this season is the introduction of a round-by-round draw model, following global best practices seen in leagues like the English Premier League, Serie A, and the Bundesliga. This format aims to enhance competitiveness and fan engagement by spreading out major fixtures across the calendar.
The ADIB Cup draw created early excitement with intense matchups. In Path 1, Al Nasr will play Al Bataeh, with the winner set to meet Shabab Al Ahli. Sharjah faces Dibba, while Al Ain takes on Khorfakkan — with the winners from each tie facing off in the next round.
In Path 2, defending champions Al Jazira will play the winner of Al Wasl vs. Al Dhafra. Meanwhile, Al Wahda meets Ajman, and Bani Yas faces Khorfakkan, with the victors clashing in the subsequent stage.
The ADNOC Pro League’s first round avoids major rivalries. Fixtures 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.
Top-tier clashes begin in matchweek two with Shabab Al Ahli taking on Al Wahda and Sharjah meeting Al Jazira. In matchweek three, Al Wasl faces Al Ain, and Al Jazira squares off against Al Nasr. Week four features Al Nasr vs. Shabab Al Ahli, while week five hosts three major matches: Shabab Al Ahli vs. Al Ain, Al Jazira vs. Al Wahda, and Al Wasl vs. Sharjah. The eagerly awaited “Dubai Derby” between Al Wasl and Al Nasr is set for week six.
The second half of the season kicks off with Al Wahda vs. Dibba, Al Dhafra vs. Sharjah, Ajman vs. Shabab Al Ahli, Al Nasr vs. Bani Yas, Al Bataeh vs. Al Jazira, Kalba vs. Al Ain, and Al Wasl vs. Khorfakkan.
In the eUAE Pro League Championship, Group A includes Bani Yas, Al Bataeh, Sharjah, Kalba, Ajman, Dibba, and Al Jazira. Group B features Khorfakkan, Al Wasl, Al Ain, Al Wahda, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Nasr, and Al Dhafra — promising a season full of competitive digital football action.