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UAE Pro League

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The UAE Pro League (Arabic: دوري المحترفين الإماراتي), known for sponsorship reasons as the ADNOC Pro League,[1] 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.

ADNOC Pro League
Organising bodyPro League Committee
Founded1973; 51 years ago (1973)
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams14
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toFirst 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 championsAl Wasl FC (8th title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsAl Ain (14 titles)
TV partnersAbu Dhabi Sports
Dubai Sports
Sharjah Sports
Websiteuaeproleague.ae
Current: 2024–25 UAE Pro League season

The League was founded in 1973 as the UAE Football League. The first 1973–74 season was a "trial" championship but was declared official by the UAE FA in 2001.[2] In February 2007, the Pro League Committee was formed, and became the organising body of the League.

Name change

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Starting from the 2006–07 season the name was changed from UAE League to Etisalat League. And since the 2013–14 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.[3] However, the name change has been viewed as a revival of the Persian Gulf naming dispute[4] with Iran accusing the United Arab Emirates of bigotry,[5] and the Iranian Football Federation barring the transfer of Javad Nekounam to a UAE club.[6] 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.[7][8][9] On 8 August, the Pro League signed a new partnership deal with ADNOC worth 80 million AED, from the start of the 2021–22 season, the league was renamed to the UAE's ADNOC Pro League.[1]

Ranking

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Main article: AFC Club Competitions Ranking

As of 26 May 2024[10]

Ranking Member association
(L: League, C: Cup, LC: League cup) 		Club points Total 2025–26 Competition
2023–24 2022
[11]		 Mvmt Region 2015
(×0.3) 		2016
(×0.4) 		2017
(×0.5) 		2018
(×0.6) 		2019
(×0.7) 		2021
(×0.8) 		2022
(×0.9) 		2023–24
(×1.0) 		ACL Elite ACL Two Challenge
1 1   — 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   — 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   — 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

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Member clubs (2024–25)

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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 1973–74 to 2007–08. The below list is clubs that have competed in the UAE top-tier league since the Pro League era starting in 2008–09.

Seasons in Pro League

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Notes:

  • Italtics indicates that the club no longer exists
  • Bold indicates that the club is still competing in the UAE Pro League as of 2024–25

Managers

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Nat. Name Club Appointed Time in charge
  Cosmin Olăroiu Sharjah 10 November 2021 894 days
  Marko Nikolić Shabab Al-Ahli 2 June 2023 325 days
  Miloš Milojević Al Wasl
  Darko Milanič Baniyas 8 June 2023 319 day
  Fabio Viviani Hatta 5 September 2023 230 days
  Daniel Isăilă Ajman 3 October 2023 202 days
  Nebojša Jovović Khor Fakkan 28 October 2023 177 days
  Hernán Crespo Al Ain 14 November 2023 160 days
  Alfred Schreuder Al Nasr 27 November 2023 147 days
  Goran Tufegdžić Al Wahda 3 January 2024 110 days
  Mirel Rădoi Al Jazira 5 January 2024 108 days
  Walter Zenga Emirates
  Goran Tomić Al Bataeh 7 January 2024 106 days
  Ghazi Fahad Ittihad Kalba 2 March 2024 51 days

List of champions

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Source:[12]

No Season Champion Runner up
  1 1973–74 Sharjah Al Ahli
  2 1974–75 Al Ahli Sharjah
  3 1975–76 Al Ain
  4 1976–77 Al Ain Sharjah
  5 1977–78 Al Nasr Al Ain
  6 1978–79 Sharjah
  7 1979–80 Al Ahli Al Shaab
  8 1980–81 Al Ain Al Nasr
  9 1981–82 Al Wasl Al Ain
  10 1982–83 Sharjah
  11 1983–84 Al Ain Al Wasl
  12 1984–85 Al Wasl Al Shaab
  13 1985–86 Al Nasr Al Wasl
  14 1986–87 Sharjah
  15 1987–88 Al Wasl Sjarjah
  16 1988–89 Sharjah Al Wasl
  17 1989–90 Al Shabab
× 1990–91 Cancelleda
  18 1991–92 Al Wasl Sharjah
  19 1992–93 Al Ain Al Wasl
  20 1993–94 Sharjah Al Ain
  21 1994–95 Al Shabab
  22 1995–96 Sharjah Al Wasl
  23 1996–97 Al Wasl Al Nasr
  24 1997–98 Al Ain Sharjah
  25 1998–99 Al Wahda Al Ain
  26 1999–2000 Al Ain Al Nasr
  27 2000–01 Al Wahda Al Ahli
  28 2001–02 Al Ain Al Jazira
  29 2002–03 Al Wahda
  30 2003–04 Al Shabab
  31 2004–05 Al Wahda Al Ain
  32 2005–06 Al Ahli Al Wahda
  33 2006–07 Al Wasl
  34 2007–08 Al Shabab Al Jazira
  35 2008–09 Al Ahli
  36 2009–10 Al Wahda
  37 2010–11 Al Jazira Baniyas
  38 2011–12 Al Ain Al Nasr
  39 2012–13 Al Ahli
  40 2013–14 Al Ahli Al Wahda
  41 2014–15 Al Ain Al Jazira
  42 2015–16 Al Ahli Al Ain
  43 2016–17 Al Jazira Al Wasl
  44 2017–18 Al Ain Al Wahda
  45 2018–19 Sharjah Shabab Al Ahli
× 2019–20 Cancelledb
  46 2020–21 Al Jazira Baniyas
  47 2021–22 Al Ain Sharjah
  48 2022–23 Shabab Al Ahli Al Ain
  49 2023–24 Al Wasl Shabab Al Ahli

Notes
1.^ Competition cancelled due to Persian Gulf War
2.^ Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates[13]

Champions

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Performance by club

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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.[14]

Club Won Runners-up Winning seasons
Al Ain    
14
9
 1976–77, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2021–22
Al Wasl  
8
8
 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2006–07, 2023–24
Shabab Al Ahli  
8
4
 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2022–23
Sharjah  
6
7
 1973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2018–19
Al Wahda
4
5
 1998–99, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2009–10
Al Jazira
3
5
 2010–11, 2016–17, 2020–21
Al Nasr
4
 1977–78, 1978–79, 1985–86
Al Shababc
3
1
 1989–90, 1994–95, 2007–08
Al Shaabd
0
2
 —
Baniyas
0
2
 —

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

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City / Area Titles Clubs Winning seasons
Dubai
22
 Al Ahli (8): 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2022–23
Al Wasl (8): 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2006–07, 2023–24
Al Nasr (3): 1977–78, 1978–79, 1985–86
Al Shabab (3): 1989–90, 1994–95, 2007–08
Al Ain
14
 Al Ain (14): 1976–77, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2021–22
Abu Dhabi
7
 Al Wahda (4): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2009–10
Al Jazira (3): 2010–11, 2016–17, 2020–21
Sharjah
6
 Sharjah (6): 1973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2018–19

Performance by emirates

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Emirates Titles Clubs Winning seasons
Dubai
22
 Al Ahli (8): 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2022–23
Al Wasl (8): 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2006–07, 2023–24
Al Nasr (3): 1977–78, 1978–79, 1985–86
Al Shabab (3): 1989–90, 1994–95, 2007–08
Abu Dhabi
21
 Al Ain (14): 1976–77, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2021–22
Al Wahda (4): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2009–10
Al Jazira (3): 2010–11, 2016–17, 2020–21
Sharjah
6
 Sharjah (6): 1973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2018–19

Players

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All-time top scorers

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Source:[15]

Rank Nat Name Club Years Goals Apps
1   Ali Mabkhout Al Jazira
Al Nasr 		2009– 222 306
2   Sebastián Tagliabúe Al Wahda
Al Nasr
Sharjah 		2013–2024 184 239
3   Fahad Khamees Al Wasl 1980–1997 175 —
4   Fábio Lima Al Wasl 2014– 167 222
5   Adnan Al Talyani Al Shaab 1980–1999 133 —
6   Mohammad Omar Al Wasl
Al Ain
Al Jazira
Al Dhafra
Al Nasr
Ajman 		1992–2011 132 —
7 Abdulaziz Mohamed Sharjah 1980–2003 127 —
8 Ahmed Abdullah Al Ain 1978–1995 122 —
9 Atiq Hassan Al Ahli 1988–2002 119 —
10 Faisal Khalil Al Ahli
Al Wasl
Al Shaab 		1999–2013 114 302
11   Makhete Diop Al Dhafra
Shabab Al Ahli
Sharjah 		2011–2018, 2021–2023 108 180
12   Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba Al-Ain 2019– 103 110
13   Asamoah Gyan Al-Ain
Al Ahli 		2011–2017 101 97
14   Ismail Matar Al Wahda 2001–2024 101 418
15   Anderson Barbosa Sharjah
Al Wasl 		2003–2009 99 128
16   Ahmed Khalil Al Ain
Shabab Al Ahli
Al Bataeh 		2007– 94 263
17   Ali Thani Sharjah — 93 —

Top scorers by season

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Season Player Club Goals
1974–75[16]   Suhail Salim Al Ahli 14
1975–76[17]   Ali Nawaz Baloch Emirates 13
1976–77[17]   Alfadel Santo Al Nasr 11
1977–78[17]   Mohieddine Habita Al Ain 20
1978–79[17]   Mostafa Mahrous Al Ahli 16
1979–80[17]   Alo Ali Mohamed Emirates 14
1980–81[18]   Karim Abdul Razak
1981–82[17]   Ahmed Abdullah Al Ain 13
1982–83[19]   Luiz Carlos[17] Al Nasr 12
1983–84[20]   Ahmed Abdullah
  Fahad Khamees 		Al Ain
Al Wasl 		20
1984–85[21]   Fahad Khamees
  Adnan Al Talyani 		Al Wasl
Al Shaab 		14
1985–86[18][21]   Mohammed Salem Al Wahda 16
1986–87[18][21]   Adnan Al Talyani
  Khalil Ghanim 		Al Shaab
Khor Fakkan 		13
1987–88[17]   Zuhair Bakheet Al Wasl 24
1988–89[17]   Fahad Khamees 13
1989–90[21]   Hussain Yaslam Baniyas 16
1990–91 Cancelleda
1991–92[22]   Youssouf Atiq Al Ahli 25
1992–93[17]   Saif Sultan Al Ain 21
1993–94[18][23]   Abdulaziz Mohamed Sharjah 18
1994–95[18][17]   Bader Jassim Al Wahda 10
1995–96[17][24]   Jassim Al Dokhi Al Shaab
1996–97[18][17]   Bader Jassim Al Wahda 11
1997–98[17]   Ali Thani Sharjah 19
1998–99[25]   Alboury Lah Al Wahda 29
1999–00[17][26] 18
2000–01[27][28]    Mohammed Al Enazi 22
2001–02[27][29]
2002–03[30]   Cristián Montecinos Dubai 19
2003–04[31]   Ali Karimi Al Ahli 14
2004–05[19][32]   Valdir
  Anderson Barbosa 		Al Nasr
Sharjah 		23
2005–06[33]   Anderson Barbosa Sharjah 20
2006–07[17]   Anderson Barbosa
  Ali Samereh 		Al Wasl
Al Shaab 		18
2007–08[34]   Faisal Khalil
  Anderson Barbosa 		Al Ahli
Sharjah 		16
2008–09[17]   Fernando Baiano Al Jazira 24
2009–10[35]   José Sand Al Ain
2010–11[36]   André Senghor Baniyas 18
2011–12[37]   Asamoah Gyan Al Ain 22
2012–13[38] 31
2013–14[39] 29
2014–15[40]   Mirko Vučinić Al Jazira 25
2015–16[41]   Sebastián Tagliabúe Al Wahda
2016–17[42]   Ali Mabkhout Al Jazira 33
2017–18[43]   Marcus Berg Al Ain 25
2018–19[44]   Sebastián Tagliabúe Al Wahda 27
2019–20[45]   Kodjo Laba Al Ain 19
2020–21[46]   Ali Mabkhout Al Jazira 25
2021–22   Kodjo Laba Al Ain 26
2022–23 28
2023–24   Omar Khribin Al Wahda 18

Top scorers by country

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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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  1. ^ a b "ADNOC and UAE Pro League announce title partnership". WAM. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  2. ^ "1973/74 UAE Football League". Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  3. ^ "New League name announced by H.E. Mohammed Thani Murshed Al Romaithi". Pro League Committee. 26 May 2013.
  4. ^ James M. Dorsey (29 July 2013). "Gulf rivalry between Iran, UAE transfered [sic] to the football pitch". Hürriyet Daily News.
  5. ^ Category: Asia (29 May 2013). "Iran accuses UAE of racism in renaming Pro League to the Persian Gulf League". Inside World Football.
  6. ^ "Iran bars captain's UAE transfer over Gulf name". Fox News. 21 July 2013.
  7. ^ Studios, XS. "Arabian Gulf Development introduced as new Title Sponsor for the Arabian Gulf League – News – UAE Pro League Committee". www.uaeproleague.ae. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  8. ^ Studios, XS. "Arabian Gulf Development renews League sponsorship – News – UAE Pro League Committee". agleague.ae. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Arabian Gulf Development takes UAE League Cup title spot". SportBusiness Sponsorship. 2 April 2014.
  10. ^ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking 2024". FootyRankings. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  11. ^ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking 2022". www.the-afc.com. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  12. ^ Atsushi Fujioka (19 May 2011). "United Arab Emirates – List of Champions". UAE FA website. RSSSF. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  13. ^ "PRESS STATEMANT". 18 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020.
  14. ^ "لماذا ستوضع نجمة على قمصان بعض الفرق الإماراتية؟ – سبورت 360 عربية". arabic.sport360.com.
  15. ^ "100s". FootballUAE.net. Archived from the original on 25 June 2002. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  16. ^ "United Arab Emirates 1974/75". RSSSF.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "الأبطال.. من الهواية إلى الاحتراف" (in Arabic). AlBayan.ae.
  18. ^ a b c d e f "Scorers 1980–2001". FootballUAE.net (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 16 December 2001. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  19. ^ a b "Top-scorer Valder calls for professional set-up in UAE". GulfNews.com.
  20. ^ "1983–84: Goals" (in Arabic). Al Ittihad.
  21. ^ a b c d "1984–91" (in Arabic). Al Ittihad.
  22. ^ "1991–92: Goals". RSSSF.
  23. ^ "1993–94: Goals". RSSSF.
  24. ^ "1995–96: Goals". RSSSF.
  25. ^ "The Pro-League 4th edition launches today". AGLeague.
  26. ^ "1999–00: Goals". RSSSF.
  27. ^ a b "2000–01: Goals". GulfNews.com.
  28. ^ "2000–01: Goals". RSSSF.
  29. ^ "2001–02: Goals". GulfNews.
  30. ^ "2002–03: Goals". GulfNews.
  31. ^ "2003–04: Goals". RSSSF.
  32. ^ "2004–05: Goals". Goalzz.
  33. ^ "2005–06: Goals". Goalzz.
  34. ^ "2007–08: Goals". Goalzz.
  35. ^ "2009–10: Goals". Soccerway.
  36. ^ "2010–11: Goals". Soccerway.
  37. ^ "2011–12: Goals". Soccerway.
  38. ^ "2012–13: Goals". Soccerway.
  39. ^ "2013–14: Goals". Soccerway.
  40. ^ "2014–15: Goals". Soccerway.
  41. ^ "2015–16: Goals". Soccerway.
  42. ^ "2016–17: Goals". Soccerway.
  43. ^ "2017–18: Goals". Soccerway.
  44. ^ "2018–19: Goals". Soccerway.
  45. ^ "2019–20: Goals". Soccerway.
  46. ^ "2020–21: Goals". Soccerway.
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