Oman Elite Football League Gears Up for Thrilling 48th Season Kick-Off
The highly anticipated new season of the Oman Elite Football League will commence on Saturday, August 16, 2025, ushering in its 48th edition with a revamped and competitive format. This year, 14 clubs will battle it out in a home-and-away format over 26 rounds, continuing through to May 22, 2026. With fresh organisational standards and heightened competitive spirit, the coming months promise a captivating chapter in Omani football history.
The curtain-raiser pits Al Nahda against Samayil at the iconic Al Buraimi Sports Complex, setting the stage for the opening round. The excitement continues with Al Shabab clashing with Ibri, Sur taking on Al Nasr, and Oman Club locking horns with Dhofar. In other key fixtures, Saham will face Bahla, while Al Rustaq challenges Sohar. Defending champions Seeb will conclude the round by hosting Al Khabourah at the Seeb Sports Stadium, as they embark on a quest to retain their crown.
This season introduces an expanded league format, increasing from 12 to 14 teams, aimed at injecting more dynamism into the tournament. With direct relegation set for the teams finishing in 13th and 14th places, the intensity in the lower half of the table is expected to be just as fierce as the championship race. This change is bound to keep every round meaningful and fiercely contested.
Reforms in technical, administrative, and financial structures are central to this year’s edition, reflecting a strong commitment to professionalism. For the first time, enhanced licensing standards — aligned with both local and AFC club regulations — will be enforced. These new standards are designed to enhance both club infrastructure and player development across the league.
In line with these developments, a high-level coordination meeting was held at the Technical Department and National Teams’ Accommodation. Attendees included the Oman Football Association’s chairman Sayyid Sulaiman bin Hamoud al Busaidy, along with board members, representatives from the League and Competitions Department, and club delegates. The meeting emphasized joint efforts to maintain transparency, elevate operational standards, and extend moral and financial support to the league’s clubs. A crucial focus of the discussions was also on supporting the national teams, with a special emphasis on preparations for the senior national team.
As anticipation builds, fans can look forward to a spellbinding season of football. Leading clubs like Seeb, Al Nahda, and Dhofar are poised to deliver intense performances, with each having its sights firmly set on the coveted championship. While Seeb seeks to solidify its reigning status, Al Nahda and Dhofar are ready to mount determined challenges to return to glory.
The scene is set, the squads are fired up, and the stakes have never been higher. As kickoff approaches, the Oman Elite League promises not just another season — but a new era of Omani football.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
