UAE Pro League (United Arab Emirates)
The UAE Pro League, also known as the UAE Arabian Gulf League until 2021,
is the top professional football division in the United Arab Emirates.
It was founded in 1973 and has developed into one of the strongest leagues in the Middle East
with modern stadiums, major investments, and strong domestic rivalries.
History and facts
The UAE Pro League began in 1973 with amateur and semi-professional clubs. It officially became professional in 2007 as part of the UAE Football Association’s modernization plan.
Major clubs such as Al-Ain, Al-Wasl, Al-Wahda, Shabab Al-Ahli, and Al-Jazira have dominated the league historically.
UAE clubs have consistently competed in the AFC Champions League, with Al-Ain winning the title in 2003.
League system
The UAE Pro League features 14 clubs competing annually.
Relegation leads to UAE First Division League, and promotion comes from the same division.
Table 1. UAE football league system
| League | Tier |
|---|---|
| UAE Pro League | 1 |
| UAE First Division | 2 |
| UAE Second Division League | 3 |
| UAE Third Division League | 4 |
Below Tier 4 are regional amateur divisions and youth leagues.
Stats
Teams with most UAE Pro League titles
Table 2. Most UAE Pro League titles
| Club | Titles |
|---|---|
| Al-Ain | 14 |
| Al-Wasl | 7 |
| Shabab Al-Ahli | 7 |
| Al-Wahda | 4 |
| Al-Jazira | 3 |
Al-Ain is the most successful club in UAE league history.
Teams with most top-division participation
Table 3. Most seasons in UAE top division
| Club | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Al-Ain | 45+ |
| Al-Wasl | 45+ |
| Shabab Al-Ahli | 40+ |
| Al-Wahda | 40+ |
| Al-Jazira | 35+ |
These are the most established and historically consistent clubs in the league.
Audience
Stadium capacities
Table 4. Major UAE Pro League stadiums
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Ain | Hazza bin Zayed Stadium | 25,000 |
| Shabab Al-Ahli | Rashid Stadium | 15,000 |
| Al-Wahda | Al Nahyan Stadium | 15,000 |
| Al-Jazira | Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium | 42,000 |
| Al-Wasl | Zabeel Stadium | 18,000 |
Players
Famous players in UAE Pro League history
- Asamoah Gyan
- Marcus Berg
- Ryan Mendes
- Ahmed Khalil
- Ali Mabkhout
- Omar Abdulrahman
- Sebastián Tagliabúe
- Caio Canedo
UAE Pro League timeline
1973
UAE football league is officially founded.
2007
The league becomes fully professional.
2013
UAE Pro League enters a new commercial era.
2021
League rebrands from "Arabian Gulf League" to "UAE Pro League".
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAE_Pro_League
https://www.uaeproleague.ae
https://www.rsssf.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAE_Pro_League
https://www.uaeproleague.ae
https://www.rsssf.org
