CAIRO – With just days remaining until the 2025–26 Egyptian Premier League kicks off on August 8, excitement is building nationwide as clubs wrap up final preparations.
The 67th edition of Egypt’s top flight ushers in a new era with a revamped format, tougher disciplinary rules, and an expanded 21-team lineup—setting the stage for a transformative campaign in the league’s storied history.
Opening fixtures
The 2025–26 Egyptian Premier League kicks off Friday, August 8, with Pyramids FC taking on newly promoted Wadi Degla at 6:00pm at Al-Salam Stadium. Zamalek opens their campaign against Ceramica Cleopatra in a 9:00pm fixture at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium.
Defending champions Al-Ahly begins their title defense on Saturday, August 9, facing Modern Sport in a prime-time showdown at Cairo International Stadium at 9:00pm.
Zamalek enters the new season with renewed ambition under Belgian coach Yannick Ferreira, who takes over from Ayman El-Ramadi.
The squad has been bolstered by eight summer signings, including veteran goalkeeper Mahdi Suleiman, ZED defender Mohamed Ismail, and midfielders Ahmed Rabea, Ahmed Sherif, and Amr Nasser. Up front, the Whites will look to Angolan striker Chico Banza and Moroccan forward Abdelhamid Maali to sharpen their attack.
Al-Ahly return as the team to beat, having clinched their third straight league crown—and 45th overall—by finishing two points clear of Pyramids FC with 58 points last season.
Zamalek, who ended the campaign third with 47 points, will join fourth-placed Al-Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup, as both sides look to balance continental duties with their domestic quests.
Revamp and rookies
The 2025–26 Egyptian Premier League season introduces a revamped two-phase structure. In the first stage, teams will compete in a single round-robin format before splitting into two groups: a Championship Group vying for the title and continental qualification, and a Relegation Group fighting to avoid the drop.
Following last season’s relegation freeze, four clubs will be relegated this time around—a figure set to rise to five by the 2027–28 season as the league targets a streamlined 18-team format.
Ismailia Electricity Club makes its historic Premier League debut, becoming the 76th club to feature in Egypt’s top flight. Their first-ever appearance will come against El-Gouna, in a landmark moment for the coastal side.
For the first time since 2013–14, the city of Ismailia will have dual representation in the league, with the newcomers joining traditional heavyweights Ismaily.
Also returning to the top tier are Arab Contractors and Wadi Degla, both back from stints in the second division. Degla made headlines with the signing of Dutch winger Mace Kandorp, highlighting a growing interest in international talent.
Defending champions Al-Ahly, meanwhile, begin a new chapter under Spanish manager Jose Ribeiro, who has been tasked with extending the club’s domestic dominance into a fourth consecutive title run.
New ball unveiled
In a move to standardize competition, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has unveiled a new official match ball developed through a global partnership. A total of 2,600 balls has been distributed to clubs across Egypt’s first, second, and third divisions.
The EFA emphasized that the unified ball will “enhance technical fairness, unify playing conditions, and raise the overall quality of on-field performances.”
Discipline code
The Egyptian Professional Clubs Association has rolled out a tougher disciplinary code for the 2025–26 season, aimed at curbing misconduct and preserving the integrity of the game.
Among the most severe penalties is a one-year suspension for any player or official who causes serious injury to a referee, while any form of physical assault on a referee—regardless of the outcome—will result in a 15-match ban.
Financial penalties for yellow cards have also been reinforced, with players fined EGP 1,000 for a first booking, EGP 2,500 for a second, and EGP 5,000 for a third, which also leads to a one-match suspension.
Additionally, the use of vulgar or discriminatory language—particularly relating to religion, race, or color—will result in a five-match suspension and a fine of EGP 50,000.
Clubs that withdraw from any match will be immediately docked six points, a change from last season’s rule that split the penalty across the campaign.
These measures reflect the league’s commitment to stricter discipline and a more respectful footballing environment.
Clubs have also been warned: relegation will not be canceled again. “Even if Ismaily finds itself in the same position as last season, relegation will proceed,” said Tharwat Sweilem, spokesperson for the Clubs Association.
Opening fixtures (Cairo Local Time)
Friday August 8
Wadi Degla vs Pyramids FC – 6:00pm
Al-Masry vs Smouha – 9:00pm
Ceramica Cleopatra vs Zamalek – 9:00pm
Saturday August 9
Smouha vs Talae el-Geish 6:00pm
Arab Contractors vs ZED FC 6:00pm
Ismaily vs Petrojet – 9:00pm
Modern Sport vs Al-Ahly – 9:00pm
