Organising body | Pro League Committee |
---|---|
Founded | 1973; 51 years ago (1973) |
Country | United Arab Emirates |
Confederation | AFC |
Number of teams | 14 |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | First Division League |
Domestic cup(s) | UAE President's Cup UAE Super Cup |
League cup(s) | UAE League Cup |
International cup(s) | AFC Champions League Elite AFC Champions League Two |
Current champions | Al Wasl FC (8th title) (2023โ24) |
Most championships | Al Ain (14 titles) |
TV partners | Abu Dhabi Sports Dubai Sports Sharjah Sports Fanseat |
Website | uaeproleague |
Current: 2024โ25 season |
The UAE Pro League (Arabic: ุฏูุฑู ุงูู ุญุชุฑููู ุงูุฅู ุงุฑุงุชู), known for sponsorship reasons as the ADNOC Pro League, is the top professional football league in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The first team to win the title was Al Orouba (Sharjah), whilst Al Ain has the record with 14 league titles to their name. Fourteen clubs compete in the League that operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the First Division League.
The League was founded in 1973 as the UAE Football League. The first 1973โ74 season was a "trial" championship but was declared official by the UAE FA in 2001. In February 2007, the Pro League Committee was formed, and became the organising body of the League.
Name change
Starting from the 2006โ07 season the name was changed from UAE League to Etisalat League. And since the 2013โ14 season, the name was changed from Etisalat Pro League to Arabian Gulf League, which was named after the Arabian Gulf as per the chairman of Pro League Committee. However, the name change has been viewed as a revival of the Persian Gulf naming dispute with Iran accusing the United Arab Emirates of bigotry, and the Iranian Football Federation barring the transfer of Javad Nekounam to a UAE club. After about four months of the name change a 70 million AED one-year renewable partnership deal was announced with Arabian Gulf Development to be named Official Title Partner. On 8 August, the Pro League signed a new partnership deal with ADNOC worth 80 million AED, from the start of the 2021โ22 season, the league was renamed to the UAE's ADNOC Pro League.
Ranking
As of 26 May 2024
Ranking | Member association (L: League, C: Cup, LC: League cup) |
Club points | Total | 2025โ26 Competition | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023โ24 | 2022 |
Mvmt | Region | 2015 (ร0.3) |
2016 (ร0.4) |
2017 (ร0.5) |
2018 (ร0.6) |
2019 (ร0.7) |
2021 (ร0.8) |
2022 (ร0.9) |
2023โ24 (ร1.0) |
ACL Elite | ACL Two | Challenge | ||
1 | 1 | โ | W 1 | Saudi Arabia (L, C) | 15.250 | 9.500 | 18.600 | 10.000 | 26.350 | 20.950 | 19.075 | 27.100 | 103.148 | 3+0 | 1+0 | 0 |
2 | 2 | โ | E 1 | Japan (L, C, LC) | 15.250 | 10.500 | 21.850 | 13.850 | 21.800 | 17.875 | 20.088 | 21.350 | 96.999 | 3+0 | 1+0 | 0 |
3 | 3 | โ | E 2 | South Korea (L, C) | 16.750 | 20.750 | 9.950 | 18.350 | 13.600 | 22.750 | 15.800 | 22.350 | 93.600 | 2+1 | 1+0 | 0 |
4 | 6 | +2 | W 2 | United Arab Emirates (L, C) | 25.000 | 18.000 | 11.350 | 8.100 | 7.633 | 14.400 | 8.083 | 24.000 | 73.373 | 2+1 | 1+0 | 0 |
Clubs
Member clubs (2024โ25)
- Note: Table lists clubs in alphabetical order.
Club | Home city | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Ajman | Ajman | Ajman Stadium | 5,537 |
Al Ain | Al-Ain | Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium | 22,965 |
Al Bataeh | Al Bataeh | Al Bataeh Stadium | 2,000 |
Al Jazira | Abu Dhabi (Al Nahyan) | Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium | 42,056 |
Al Nasr | Dubai (Oud Metha) | Al-Maktoum Stadium | 15,058 |
Al Urooba | Qidfa / Mirbah | Al Sharqi Stadium | 3,000 |
Al Wahda | Abu Dhabi (Al Nahyan) | Al Nahyan Stadium | 12,201 |
Al Wasl | Dubai (Zabeel) | Zabeel Stadium | 8,439 |
Baniyas | Abu Dhabi (Al Shamkha) | Baniyas Stadium | 10,000 |
Dibba Al Hisn | Dibba Al-Hisn | Dibba (H) Stadium | 700 |
Kalba | Kalba | Ittihad Kalba Stadium | 8,500 |
Khor Fakkan | Khor Fakkan | Saqr bin Mohammad al Qassimi Stadium | 7,500 |
Shabab Al Ahli | Dubai (Deira) | Rashid Stadium | 12,052 |
Sharjah | Sharjah | Sharjah Stadium | 20,000 |
Prior to UAE League's transition to the professional era in 2008, many clubs have competed in the country's top tier division from 1973โ74 to 2007โ08. The below list is clubs that have competed in the UAE top-tier league since the Pro League era starting in 2008โ09.
Seasons in Pro League
- 16 seasons: Al Ain, Al Jazira, Al Nasr, Al Wahda, Al Wasl
- 15 seasons: Sharjah
- 14 seasons: Baniyas
- 13 seasons: Ajman, Al Dhafra
- 10 seasons: Emirates, Kalba
- 9 seasons: Al Ahli, Al Shabab
- 7 seasons: Shabab Al Ahli
- 6 seasons: Dibba Al Fujairah, Khor Fakkan
- 4 seasons: Al Shaab, Dubai, Fujairah, Hatta
- 3 seasons: Al Bataeh
- 2 seasons: Al Urooba
- 1 season: Dibba Al Hisn
Notes:
- Italtics indicates that the club no longer exists
- Bold indicates that the club is still competing in the UAE Pro League as of 2023โ24
Managers
Nat. | Name | Club | Appointed | Time in charge |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cosmin Olฤroiu | Sharjah | 10 November 2021 | 894 days | |
Marko Nikoliฤ | Shabab Al-Ahli | 2 June 2023 | 325 days | |
Miloลก Milojeviฤ | Al Wasl | |||
Darko Milaniฤ | Baniyas | 8 June 2023 | 319 day | |
Fabio Viviani | Hatta | 5 September 2023 | 230 days | |
Daniel Isฤilฤ | Ajman | 3 October 2023 | 202 days | |
Nebojลกa Jovoviฤ | Khor Fakkan | 28 October 2023 | 177 days | |
Hernรกn Crespo | Al Ain | 14 November 2023 | 160 days | |
Alfred Schreuder | Al Nasr | 27 November 2023 | 147 days | |
Goran Tufegdลพiฤ | Al Wahda | 3 January 2024 | 110 days | |
Mirel Rฤdoi | Al Jazira | 5 January 2024 | 108 days | |
Walter Zenga | Emirates | |||
Goran Tomiฤ | Al Bataeh | 7 January 2024 | 106 days | |
Ghazi Fahad | Ittihad Kalba | 2 March 2024 | 51 days |
List of champions
Source:
Notes
1. Competition cancelled due to Persian Gulf War
2. Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates
Champions
Performance by club
As of 2024, following clubs are officially allowed to wear stars while playing in the League. Each country's usage is unique and in UAE the practice is to award one star for each five titles won. The number in parentheses is for League titles won.
Club | Won | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
---|---|---|---|
Al Ain | 14
|
9
|
1976โ77, 1980โ81, 1983โ84, 1992โ93, 1997โ98, 1999โ00, 2001โ02, 2002โ03, 2003โ04, 2011โ12, 2012โ13, 2014โ15, 2017โ18, 2021โ22 |
Al Wasl | 8
|
8
|
1981โ82, 1982โ83, 1984โ85, 1987โ88, 1991โ92, 1996โ97, 2006โ07, 2023โ24 |
Shabab Al Ahli | 8
|
4
|
1974โ75, 1975โ76, 1979โ80, 2005โ06, 2008โ09, 2013โ14, 2015โ16, 2022โ23 |
Sharjah | 6
|
7
|
1973โ74, 1986โ87, 1988โ89, 1993โ94, 1995โ96, 2018โ19 |
Al Wahda | 4
|
5
|
1998โ99, 2000โ01, 2004โ05, 2009โ10 |
Al Jazira | 3
|
5
|
2010โ11, 2016โ17, 2020โ21 |
Al Nasr | 4
|
1977โ78, 1978โ79, 1985โ86 | |
Al Shabab | 3
|
1
|
1989โ90, 1994โ95, 2007โ08 |
Al Shaab | 0
|
2
|
โ |
Baniyas | 0
|
2
|
โ |
Notes
1. Al Shabab along with Dubai CSC merged into Al-Ahli form Shabab Al Ahli in 2017
2. Al Shaab dissolved in 2017
Performance by city
City / Area | Titles | Clubs | Winning seasons |
---|---|---|---|
Dubai | 22
|
Al Ahli | (8): 1974โ75, 1975โ76, 1979โ80, 2005โ06, 2008โ09, 2013โ14, 2015โ16, 2022โ23 |
Al Wasl | (8): 1981โ82, 1982โ83, 1984โ85, 1987โ88, 1991โ92, 1996โ97, 2006โ07, 2023โ24 | ||
Al Nasr | (3): 1977โ78, 1978โ79, 1985โ86 | ||
Al Shabab | (3): 1989โ90, 1994โ95, 2007โ08 | ||
Al Ain | 14
|
Al Ain | (14): 1976โ77, 1980โ81, 1983โ84, 1992โ93, 1997โ98, 1999โ00, 2001โ02, 2002โ03, 2003โ04, 2011โ12, 2012โ13, 2014โ15, 2017โ18, 2021โ22 |
Abu Dhabi | 7
|
Al Wahda | (4): 1998โ99, 2000โ01, 2004โ05, 2009โ10 |
Al Jazira | (3): 2010โ11, 2016โ17, 2020โ21 | ||
Sharjah | 6
|
Sharjah | (6): 1973โ74, 1986โ87, 1988โ89, 1993โ94, 1995โ96, 2018โ19 |
Performance by emirates
Emirates | Titles | Clubs | Winning seasons |
---|---|---|---|
Dubai | 22
|
Al Ahli | (8): 1974โ75, 1975โ76, 1979โ80, 2005โ06, 2008โ09, 2013โ14, 2015โ16, 2022โ23 |
Al Wasl | (8): 1981โ82, 1982โ83, 1984โ85, 1987โ88, 1991โ92, 1996โ97, 2006โ07, 2023โ24 | ||
Al Nasr | (3): 1977โ78, 1978โ79, 1985โ86 | ||
Al Shabab | (3): 1989โ90, 1994โ95, 2007โ08 | ||
Abu Dhabi | 21
|
Al Ain | (14): 1976โ77, 1980โ81, 1983โ84, 1992โ93, 1997โ98, 1999โ00, 2001โ02, 2002โ03, 2003โ04, 2011โ12, 2012โ13, 2014โ15, 2017โ18, 2021โ22 |
Al Wahda | (4): 1998โ99, 2000โ01, 2004โ05, 2009โ10 | ||
Al Jazira | (3): 2010โ11, 2016โ17, 2020โ21 | ||
Sharjah | 6
|
Sharjah | (6): 1973โ74, 1986โ87, 1988โ89, 1993โ94, 1995โ96, 2018โ19 |
Players
All-time top scorers
Source:
Rank | Nat | Name | Club | Years | Goals | Apps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ali Mabkhout | Al Jazira Al Nasr |
2009โ | 219 | 301 | |
2 | Sebastiรกn Tagliabรบe | Al Wahda Al Nasr Sharjah |
2013โ2024 | 184 | 239 | |
3 | Fahad Khamees | Al Wasl | 1980โ1997 | 175 | โ | |
4 | Fรกbio Lima | Al Wasl | 2014โ | 167 | 219 | |
5 | Adnan Al Talyani | Al Shaab | 1980โ1999 | 133 | โ | |
6 | Mohammad Omar | Al Wasl Al Ain Al Jazira Al Dhafra Al Nasr Ajman |
1992โ2011 | 132 | โ | |
7 | Abdulaziz Mohamed | Sharjah | 1980โ2003 | 127 | โ | |
8 | Ahmed Abdullah | Al Ain | 1978โ1995 | 122 | โ | |
9 | Atiq Hassan | Al Ahli | 1988โ2002 | 119 | โ | |
10 | Faisal Khalil | Al Ahli Al Wasl Al Shaab |
1999โ2013 | 114 | 302 | |
11 | Makhete Diop | Al Dhafra Shabab Al Ahli Sharjah |
2011โ2018, 2021โ2023 | 108 | 180 | |
12 | Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba | Al-Ain | 2019โ | 102 | 109 | |
13 | Asamoah Gyan | Al-Ain Al Ahli |
2011โ2017 | 101 | 97 | |
14 | Ismail Matar | Al Wahda | 2001โ2024 | 101 | 418 | |
15 | Anderson Barbosa | Sharjah Al Wasl |
2003โ2009 | 99 | 128 | |
16 | Ahmed Khalil | Al Ain Shabab Al Ahli Al Bataeh |
2007โ | 94 | 263 | |
17 | Ali Thani | Sharjah | โ | 93 | โ |
Top scorers by season
Season | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1974โ75 | Suhail Salim | Al Ahli | 14 |
1975โ76 | Ali Nawaz Baloch | Al Emirates | 13 |
1976โ77 | Alfadel Santo | Al Nasr | 11 |
1977โ78 | Mohieddine Habita | Al Ain | 20 |
1978โ79 | Mostafa Mahrous | Al Ahli | 16 |
1979โ80 | Alo Ali Mohamed | Emirates | 14 |
1980โ81 | Karim Abdul Razak | ||
1981โ82 | Ahmed Abdullah | Al Ain | 13 |
1982โ83 | Luiz Carlos | Al Nasr | 12 |
1983โ84 | Ahmed Abdullah Fahad Khamees |
Al Ain Al Wasl |
20 |
1984โ85 | Fahad Khamees Adnan Al Talyani |
Al Wasl Al Shaab |
14 |
1985โ86 | Mohammed Salem | Al Wahda | 16 |
1986โ87 | Adnan Al Talyani Khalil Ghanim |
Al Shaab Khor Fakkan |
13 |
1987โ88 | Zuhair Bakheet | Al Wasl | 24 |
1988โ89 | Fahad Khamees | 13 | |
1989โ90 | Hussain Yaslam | Baniyas | 16 |
1990โ91 | Cancelled | ||
1991โ92 | Youssouf Atiq | Al Ahli | 25 |
1992โ93 | Saif Sultan | Al Ain | 21 |
1993โ94 | Abdulaziz Mohamed | Sharjah | 18 |
1994โ95 | Bader Jassim | Al Wahda | 10 |
1995โ96 | Jassim Al Dokhi | Al Shaab | |
1996โ97 | Bader Jassim | Al Wahda | 11 |
1997โ98 | Ali Thani | Sharjah | 19 |
1998โ99 | Alboury Lah | Al Wahda | 29 |
1999โ00 | 18 | ||
2000โ01 | Mohammed Al Enazi | 22 | |
2001โ02 | |||
2002โ03 | Cristiรกn Montecinos | Dubai | 19 |
2003โ04 | Ali Karimi | Al Ahli | 14 |
2004โ05 | Valdir Anderson Barbosa |
Al Nasr Sharjah |
23 |
2005โ06 | Anderson Barbosa | Sharjah | 20 |
2006โ07 | Anderson Barbosa Ali Samereh |
Al Wasl Al Shaab |
18 |
2007โ08 | Faisal Khalil Anderson Barbosa |
Al Ahli Sharjah |
16 |
2008โ09 | Fernando Baiano | Al Jazira | 24 |
2009โ10 | Josรฉ Sand | Al Ain | |
2010โ11 | Andrรฉ Senghor | Baniyas | 18 |
2011โ12 | Asamoah Gyan | Al Ain | 22 |
2012โ13 | 31 | ||
2013โ14 | 29 | ||
2014โ15 | Mirko Vuฤiniฤ | Al Jazira | 25 |
2015โ16 | Sebastiรกn Tagliabรบe | Al Wahda | |
2016โ17 | Ali Mabkhout | Al Jazira | 33 |
2017โ18 | Marcus Berg | Al Ain | 25 |
2018โ19 | Sebastiรกn Tagliabรบe | Al Wahda | 27 |
2019โ20 | Kodjo Laba | Al Ain | 19 |
2020โ21 | Ali Mabkhout | Al Jazira | 25 |
2021โ22 | Kodjo Laba | Al Ain | 26 |
2022โ23 | 28 | ||
2023โ24 | Omar Khribin | Al Wahda | 18 |
Top scorers by country
Country | Players | Seasons |
---|---|---|
United Arab Emirates | 17 | 22 |
Brazil | 4 | 6 |
Ghana | 2 | 4 |
Argentina | 3 | |
Senegal | ||
Iran | 1 | |
Togo | 1 | 3 |
Pakistan | 1 | |
Sudan | ||
Tunisia | ||
Chile | ||
Montenegro | ||
Sweden | ||
Syria |
References
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- "1973/74 UAE Football League". Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- "New League name announced by H.E. Mohammed Thani Murshed Al Romaithi". Pro League Committee. 26 May 2013.
- James M. Dorsey (29 July 2013). "Gulf rivalry between Iran, UAE transfered [sic] to the football pitch". Hรผrriyet Daily News.
- Category: Asia (29 May 2013). "Iran accuses UAE of racism in renaming Pro League to the Persian Gulf League". Inside World Football.
- "Iran bars captain's UAE transfer over Gulf name". Fox News. 21 July 2013.
- Studios, XS. "Arabian Gulf Development introduced as new Title Sponsor for the Arabian Gulf League โ News โ UAE Pro League Committee". www.uaeproleague.ae. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- Studios, XS. "Arabian Gulf Development renews League sponsorship โ News โ UAE Pro League Committee". agleague.ae. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
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- "AFC Club Competitions Ranking 2024". FootyRankings. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
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- Atsushi Fujioka (19 May 2011). "United Arab Emirates โ List of Champions". UAE FA website. RSSSF. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- "PRESS STATEMANT". 18 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020.
- "ูู ุงุฐุง ุณุชูุถุน ูุฌู ุฉ ุนูู ูู ุตุงู ุจุนุถ ุงููุฑู ุงูุฅู ุงุฑุงุชูุฉุ โ ุณุจูุฑุช 360 ุนุฑุจูุฉ". arabic.sport360.com.
- "100s". FootballUAE.net. Archived from the original on 25 June 2002. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
- "United Arab Emirates 1974/75". RSSSF.
- ^ "ุงูุฃุจุทุงู.. ู ู ุงูููุงูุฉ ุฅูู ุงูุงุญุชุฑุงู" (in Arabic). AlBayan.ae.
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- ^ "Top-scorer Valder calls for professional set-up in UAE". GulfNews.com.
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- ^ "1984โ91" (in Arabic). Al Ittihad.
- "1991โ92: Goals". RSSSF.
- "1993โ94: Goals". RSSSF.
- "1995โ96: Goals". RSSSF.
- "The Pro-League 4th edition launches today". AGLeague.
- "1999โ00: Goals". RSSSF.
- ^ "2000โ01: Goals". GulfNews.com.
- "2000โ01: Goals". RSSSF.
- "2001โ02: Goals". GulfNews.
- "2002โ03: Goals". GulfNews.
- "2003โ04: Goals". RSSSF.
- "2004โ05: Goals". Goalzz.
- "2005โ06: Goals". Goalzz.
- "2007โ08: Goals". Goalzz.
- "2009โ10: Goals". Soccerway.
- "2010โ11: Goals". Soccerway.
- "2011โ12: Goals". Soccerway.
- "2012โ13: Goals". Soccerway.
- "2013โ14: Goals". Soccerway.
- "2014โ15: Goals". Soccerway.
- "2015โ16: Goals". Soccerway.
- "2016โ17: Goals". Soccerway.
- "2017โ18: Goals". Soccerway.
- "2018โ19: Goals". Soccerway.
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- "2020โ21: Goals". Soccerway.
External links
- Official website (in English and Arabic)