Kuwait Premier League
The Kuwait Premier League is the top-tier professional football competition in Kuwait,
organized by the Kuwait Football Association (KFA).
Founded in 1961, it is one of the oldest leagues in the Middle East and features historically dominant clubs such as
Al-Qadsia, Al-Arabi, Kuwait SC, and Al-Kuwait.
History and facts
The Kuwait Premier League began in 1961–62, coinciding with the rise of football as Kuwait’s most popular sport. The league quickly became a competitive battlefield for legendary clubs such as Al-Arabi and Al-Qadsia.
Kuwait SC emerged as a modern powerhouse, dominating the league in the 2000s and 2010s with strong financial support, youth development, and top foreign signings.
The league follows a unique competition format and is one of the most attended domestic sports events in Kuwait.
League system
The Kuwait Premier League typically includes 10 teams.
At the end of the season, clubs may be relegated to the Kuwait Division One, while the top teams in Division One are promoted.
Table 1. Kuwait football league pyramid
| League | Tier |
|---|---|
| Kuwait Premier League | 1 |
| Kuwait Division One | 2 |
Below these two tiers, youth and regional development leagues operate.
Stats
Teams with most titles
Table 2. Most Kuwait Premier League titles
| Club | Titles |
|---|---|
| Al-Qadsia | 17 |
| Al-Arabi | 16 |
| Kuwait SC | 14 |
| Al-Salmiya | 4 |
| Kazma SC | 4 |
Al-Qadsia and Al-Arabi dominated the league’s early eras, while Kuwait SC dominated the modern period.
Teams with most top-division participation
Table 3. Most seasons in Kuwait Premier League
| Club | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Al-Qadsia | 50+ |
| Al-Arabi | 50+ |
| Kuwait SC | 45+ |
| Kazma SC | 40+ |
| Al-Salmiya | 35+ |
These traditional clubs have defined Kuwaiti football for decades.
Audience
Stadium capacities
Table 4. Major stadiums in Kuwait
| Stadium | Home Club | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium | National Stadium | 60,000 |
| Thamir Stadium | Al-Salmiya | 16,000 |
| Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium | Al-Qadsia | 18,000 |
| Sabah Al-Salem Stadium | Al-Arabi | 26,000 |
| Al-Kuwait SC Stadium | Kuwait SC | 12,000 |
Players
Famous players
- Bader Al-Mutawa
- Fahad Al-Anzi
- Mesaed Al-Enazi
- Anderson Martins
- Rogerinho
- Renato César
- Michal Pavlović
- Ismail Al-Anbari
Kuwait Premier League timeline
1961
Kuwait Premier League is founded.
1970s
Al-Arabi and Al-Qadsia dominate early seasons.
2000s
Kuwait SC becomes the top modern-era powerhouse.
2015
League undergoes modernization and restructuring.
2020
Season temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Premier_League
https://www.kfa.org.kw/
https://www.rsssf.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Premier_League
https://www.kfa.org.kw/
https://www.rsssf.org
