CAIRO — The 2025/2026 Egyptian Premier League season is set to kick off on August 15, 2025, and will run through May 2026, announced Ahmed Diab, President of the Egyptian Pro League Association.
This early launch is a key part of a strategic revamp designed to restore consistency to the domestic calendar, reduce fixture congestion, and align with international and continental commitments for Egyptian clubs.
“We are committed to delivering a well-structured, balanced, and professionally managed season,” Diab said, highlighting that the upcoming campaign will feature a single-round format involving all 21 clubs.
The full fixture list will be released soon, pending final approval of the updated league structure.
In a landmark move, and after extensive consultations with clubs, the Pro League has canceled relegation for the 2024–25 season—a bold move to stabilize the competition and lay the groundwork for reform.
This decision sets the stage for an expanded 21-team lineup next season. The campaign will kick off with 20 rounds, after which the league will split into two distinct groups: a Championship Group and a Relegation Group. By season’s end, four teams will be relegated to the second division.
While the 2024–25 season will retain its current format, the relegation freeze lays the groundwork for a revamped league structure. Starting in 2025–26, four teams will be relegated and three promoted, restoring competitive balance across the division.
The Egyptian Professional Clubs Association is set to hold a press conference at the end of June to announce the official regulations for the upcoming league season, including any updates or amendments.
The initiative aims to preempt and prevent the kind of controversy that emerged during the current season, particularly in the wake of the crisis surrounding the derby match between Al-Ahly and Zamalek and the subsequent decisions.
The association has granted clubs a 30-day window, ending on June 18, to submit proposals or suggestions regarding the new regulations.
This feedback period will be followed by the press conference, during which the finalized regulations will be presented and clearly explained to all stakeholders to ensure transparency and avoid future disputes.
On the technical side, clubs agreed to maintain the current foreign player policy: each club may register five over-age and three under-age foreign players, with a maximum of six allowed on the pitch per match, including at least one under-age player. These guidelines ensure stability and competitive balance.
In a recent high-level meeting, the Association tackled the challenges of a packed football calendar and Egypt’s growing international commitments. Discussions centered on modernizing the league system and rolling out reforms that enhance fairness, stability, and long-term growth.
Notably, Pyramids FC, Zamalek, and Harras El-Hodoud were absent from the session.
Taha Ezzat, Director of Competitions, described the 21-team setup as a temporary strategic measure, in line with the decision to scrap relegation this season.
“This is part of a carefully phased three-year roadmap,” Ezzat said. “Starting next season, we’ll enforce the relegation of four clubs and the promotion of three from the second division. The traditional home-and-away format will remain in place until the transition is complete.”
Initially, the 2024–25 campaign was set to see just two teams relegated instead of three, a change made early in the season. But after extensive discussions, the Association opted for a complete suspension of relegation—a move designed to protect competitive integrity amid systemic changes.
Wadi Degla and Arab Contractors have clinched promotion to the new Egyptian Premier League following strong performances, with the third promoted team still to be decided.
