The UAE Pro League (Arabic: دوري المحترفين الإماراتي), also known as the ADNOC Pro League for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the highest level of the Emirati soccer league system.

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.

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. In February 2007, the Pro League Committee was formed, and became the organising body of the league.

Name change

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. However, the name change has been viewed as a revival of the Persian Gulf naming dispute with Iran accusing the United Arab Emirates of bigotry, and the Iranian Football Federation barring the transfer of Javad Nekounam to a UAE club. 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. 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.

Ranking

As of 26 May 2024

RankingMember association (L: League, C: Cup, LC: League cup)Club pointsTotal2025–26 Competition
2023–242022MvmtRegion2015 (×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 EliteACL TwoChallenge
11—W 1Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (L, C)15.2509.50018.60010.00026.35020.95019.07527.100103.1483+01+00
22—E 1Japan Japan (L, C, LC)15.25010.50021.85013.85021.80017.87520.08821.35096.9993+01+00
33—E 2South Korea South Korea (L, C)16.75020.7509.95018.35013.60022.75015.80022.35093.6002+11+00
46+2W 2United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (L, C)25.00018.00011.3508.1007.63314.4008.08324.00073.3732+11+00

Clubs

Member clubs (2025–26)

Note: Table lists clubs in alphabetical order.

ClubHome cityStadiumCapacity
AjmanAjmanAjman Stadium5,537
Al AinAl-AinHazza Bin Zayed Stadium22,965
Al BataehAl BataehAl Bataeh Stadium2,000
Al DhafraMadinat ZayedAl Dhafra Stadium5,020
Al JaziraAbu Dhabi (Al Nahyan)Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium42,056
Al NasrDubai (Oud Metha)Al-Maktoum Stadium15,058
Al WahdaAbu Dhabi (Al Nahyan)Al Nahyan Stadium12,201
Al WaslDubai (Zabeel)Zabeel Stadium8,439
BaniyasAbu Dhabi (Al Shamkha)Baniyas Stadium10,000
Dibba Al FujairahDibba Al FujairahDibba New Stadium9,000
KalbaKalbaIttihad Kalba Stadium8,500
Khor FakkanKhor FakkanSaqr bin Mohammad al Qassimi Stadium7,500
Shabab Al AhliDubai (Deira)Rashid Stadium12,052
SharjahSharjahSharjah Stadium20,000

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

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

Nat.NameClubAppointedTime in charge
PortugalPaulo SousaShabab Al-Ahli30 June 20241 year, 291 days
SerbiaGoran TufegdžićAjman1 July 20241 year, 290 days
SerbiaVuk RašovićKalba1 July 20241 year, 290 days
IranFarhad MajidiAl Bataeh13 January 20251 year, 94 days
SerbiaVladimir IvićAl Ain4 February 20251 year, 72 days
SerbiaSlaviša JokanovićAl Nasr8 June 2025313 days
PortugalJosé MoraisAl Wahda20 June 2025301 days
United Arab EmiratesHassan Al AbdooliKhor Fakkan30 June 2025291 days
MontenegroŽeljko PetrovićAl Dhafra1 July 2025290 days
CroatiaMarino PušićAl Jazira9 September 2025220 days
RomaniaDaniel IsăilăBaniyas20 September 2025209 days
RomaniaCiprian PanaitDibba28 October 2025171 days
SwedenMesut MeralAl Wasl5 November 2025163 days
United Arab EmiratesAbdulmajid Al NimerSharjah17 November 2025151 days

List of champions

Source:

yasNoSeasonChampionRunner up
yas 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 50 2024–25 Shabab Al Ahli Sharjah
11973–74SharjahAl Ahli
21974–75Al AhliSharjah
31975–76Al Ain
41976–77Al AinSharjah
51977–78Al NasrAl Ain
61978–79Sharjah
71979–80Al AhliAl Shaab
81980–81Al AinAl Nasr
91981–82Al WaslAl Ain
101982–83Sharjah
111983–84Al AinAl Wasl
121984–85Al WaslAl Shaab
131985–86Al NasrAl Wasl
141986–87Sharjah
151987–88Al WaslSjarjah
161988–89SharjahAl Wasl
171989–90Al Shabab
×1990–91Cancelleda
181991–92Al WaslSharjah
191992–93Al AinAl Wasl
201993–94SharjahAl Ain
211994–95Al Shabab
221995–96SharjahAl Wasl
231996–97Al WaslAl Nasr
241997–98Al AinSharjah
251998–99Al WahdaAl Ain
261999–2000Al AinAl Nasr
272000–01Al WahdaAl Ahli
282001–02Al AinAl Jazira
292002–03Al Wahda
302003–04Al Shabab
312004–05Al WahdaAl Ain
322005–06Al AhliAl Wahda
332006–07Al Wasl
342007–08Al ShababAl Jazira
352008–09Al Ahli
362009–10Al Wahda
372010–11Al JaziraBaniyas
382011–12Al AinAl Nasr
392012–13Al Ahli
402013–14Al AhliAl Wahda
412014–15Al AinAl Jazira
422015–16Al AhliAl Ain
432016–17Al JaziraAl Wasl
442017–18Al AinAl Wahda
452018–19SharjahShabab Al Ahli
×2019–20Cancelledb
462020–21Al JaziraBaniyas
472021–22Al AinSharjah
482022–23Shabab Al AhliAl Ain
492023–24Al WaslShabab Al Ahli
502024–25Shabab Al AhliSharjah

Notes

1.^ Competition cancelled due to Gulf War

2.^ Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates

Champions

Performance by club

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.

ClubWonRunners-upWinning seasons
Al Ain1491976–77, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2021–22
Shabab Al Ahli941974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2022–23, 2024–25
Al Wasl881981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2006–07, 2023–24
Sharjah671973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2018–19
Al Wahda451998–99, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2009–10
Al Jazira352010–11, 2016–17, 2020–21
Al Nasr41977–78, 1978–79, 1985–86
Al Shababc311989–90, 1994–95, 2007–08
Al Shaabd02—
Baniyas02—

Notes

1.^ Al Shabab and Dubai CSC merged into Al-Ahli to form Shabab Al Ahli in 2017.

2.^ Al Shaab folded in 2017.

Performance by city

City / AreaTitlesClubsWinning seasons
Dubai23Shabab Al-Ahli(9): 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2022–23, 2024–25
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 Ain14Al 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 Dhabi7Al Wahda(4): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2009–10
Al Jazira(3): 2010–11, 2016–17, 2020–21
Sharjah6Sharjah(6): 1973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2018–19

Performance by emirates

EmiratesTitlesClubsWinning seasons
Dubai23Shabab Al Ahli(9): 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2022–23, 2024–25
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 Dhabi21Al 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
Sharjah6Sharjah(6): 1973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2018–19

Players

All-time top scorers

Source:

RankNatNameClubYearsGoalsApps
1United Arab EmiratesAli MabkhoutAl Jazira Al Nasr2009–226313
2United Arab EmiratesSebastián TagliabúeAl Wahda Al Nasr Sharjah2013–2024184239
3United Arab EmiratesFahad KhameesAl Wasl1980–1997175—N/a
4United Arab EmiratesFábio LimaAl Wasl2014–170230
5United Arab EmiratesMohammad OmarAl Wasl Al Ain Al Jazira Al Dhafra Al Nasr Ajman1992–2011132
6United Arab EmiratesAdnan Al TalyaniAl Shaab1980–1999131—N/a
7United Arab EmiratesAbdulaziz MohamedSharjah1980–2003128—N/a
8United Arab EmiratesAhmed AbdullahAl Ain1978–1995122—N/a
9United Arab EmiratesYoussouf Al-Atiq HassanAl Ahli1988–2002119—N/a
10United Arab EmiratesFaisal KhalilAl Ahli Al Wasl Al Shaab1999–2013114302
11TogoKodjo Fo-Doh LabaAl-Ain2019–113119
12SenegalMakhete DiopAl Dhafra Shabab Al Ahli Sharjah2011–2018, 2021–2023108180
13GhanaAsamoah GyanAl-Ain Al Ahli2011–201710197
14United Arab EmiratesIsmail MatarAl Wahda2001–2024101418
15BrazilAnderson BarbosaSharjah Al Wasl2003–200999128
16United Arab EmiratesCaio CanedoAl Ain Al Wasl2014–99218
17United Arab EmiratesAhmed KhalilAl Ain Shabab Al Ahli Al Bataeh2007–96273
18United Arab EmiratesAli ThaniSharjah|data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a93—N/a
19United Arab EmiratesAissa SangourAl Shabab|data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a88
20United Arab EmiratesZuhair BakheetAl Wasl|data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a88
21United Arab EmiratesSaeed Al-KassSharjah Al Wasl—N/a87—N/a
22United Arab EmiratesMajid Al OwaisAl Ain|data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a86—N/a
23United Arab EmiratesQatarMohammed Salem Al-EnaziAl Wahda Al Wasl Al Jazira|data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a83—N/a
24Ivory CoastBoris Kabidata-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a82146
25United Arab EmiratesNasir KhameesAl Wasl|data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a82—N/a
26United Arab EmiratesIvory CoastIbrahim DiakyAl Ain Al Jazira—N/a80—N/a
27United Arab EmiratesKhalid IsmailAl Nasr|data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a75—N/a
28SyriaOmar KhribinAl Wahda Al Dhafra Shabab Al Ahli|data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a75117
29SenegalAndré Senghordata-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —N/a73118
30BrazilCaio LucasAl Ain Sharjah—N/a73169

Top scorers by season

SeasonPlayerClubGoals
1973–74United Arab Emirates Saeed Hareb AlFalahiAl Ahli
1974–75United Arab Emirates Suhail SalimAl Ahli14
1975–76Pakistan Ali Nawaz BalochEmirates13
1976–77Sudan Alfadel SantoAl Nasr11
1977–78Tunisia Mohieddine HabitaAl Ain20
1978–79Morocco Mostafa MahrousAl Ahli16
1979–80United Arab Emirates Alo Ali MohamedEmirates14
1980–81Ghana Karim Abdul Razak
1981–82United Arab Emirates Ahmed AbdullahAl Ain13
1982–83Brazil Luiz CarlosAl Nasr12
1983–84United Arab Emirates Ahmed Abdullah United Arab Emirates Fahad KhameesAl Ain Al Wasl20
1984–85United Arab Emirates Fahad Khamees United Arab Emirates Adnan Al TalyaniAl Wasl Al Shaab14
1985–86United Arab Emirates Mohammed SalemAl Wahda16
1986–87United Arab Emirates Adnan Al Talyani United Arab Emirates Khalil GhanimAl Shaab Khor Fakkan13
1987–88United Arab Emirates Zuhair BakheetAl Wasl24
1988–89United Arab Emirates Fahad Khamees13
1989–90United Arab Emirates Hussain YaslamBaniyas16
1990–91Cancelleda
1991–92United Arab Emirates Youssouf AtiqAl Ahli25
1992–93United Arab Emirates Saif SultanAl Ain21
1993–94United Arab Emirates Abdulaziz MohamedSharjah18
1994–95United Arab Emirates Bader JassimAl Wahda10
1995–96United Arab Emirates Jassim Al DokhiAl Shaab
1996–97United Arab Emirates Bader JassimAl Wahda11
1997–98United Arab Emirates Ali ThaniSharjah19
1998–99Senegal Alboury LahAl Wahda29
1999–0018
2000–01United Arab EmiratesQatar Mohammed Al Enazi22
2001–02
2002–03Chile Cristián MontecinosDubai19
2003–04Iran Ali KarimiAl Ahli14
2004–05Brazil Valdir Brazil Anderson BarbosaAl Nasr Sharjah23
2005–06Brazil Anderson BarbosaSharjah20
2006–07Brazil Anderson Barbosa Iran Ali SamerehAl Wasl Al Shaab18
2007–08United Arab Emirates Faisal Khalil Brazil Anderson BarbosaAl Ahli Sharjah16
2008–09Brazil Fernando BaianoAl Jazira24
2009–10Argentina José SandAl Ain
2010–11Senegal André SenghorBaniyas18
2011–12Ghana Asamoah GyanAl Ain22
2012–1331
2013–1429
2014–15Montenegro Mirko VučinićAl Jazira25
2015–16Argentina Sebastián TagliabúeAl Wahda
2016–17United Arab Emirates Ali MabkhoutAl Jazira33
2017–18Sweden Marcus BergAl Ain25
2018–19Argentina Sebastián TagliabúeAl Wahda27
2019–20Togo Kodjo LabaAl Ain19
2020–21United Arab Emirates Ali MabkhoutAl Jazira25
2021–22Togo Kodjo LabaAl Ain26
2022–2328
2023–24Syria Omar KhribinAl Wahda18
2024–25Togo Kodjo LabaAl Ain20

Top scorers by country

CountryPlayersSeasons
United Arab Emirates1722
Brazil46
Ghana24
Argentina3
Senegal
Togo4
Iran11
Pakistan
Sudan
Tunisia
Chile
Montenegro
Sweden
Syria

Honours

Tournaments

Intercontinental

Continental

Regional

Summary

Only official honours are included, according to FIFA statutes (competitions organized/recognized by FIFA or an affiliated confederation).

CompetitionTotal
Club World Cup0101
Asian Champions League 12327
Asian Champions League 21102
Total35210

Individual

Intercontinental

Continental

External links

  • (in English and Arabic)