Overview
In a landmark move, Abu Dhabi will host the Egyptian Super Cup for the first time in a four-team format, from November 6 to 9, 2025, featuring Al Ahly, Zamalek, Pyramids, and Ceramica Cleopatra.
The event is organized through a partnership between the UAE Pro League, the Egyptian Football Association, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, and United Sports Company, aiming to deliver a high-caliber football spectacle that resonates across the Arab world.
Format and Venues
This edition introduces a four-team knockout format with two semifinals, a final, and a third-place playoff, designed to maximize fan engagement over a compact schedule.
Matches will be played at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, two venues known for modern facilities and international standards.
Timeline and Matchups
The opening matches on November 6 see Zamalek vs. Pyramids at Mohammed bin Zayed, and Al Ahly vs. Ceramica Cleopatra at Hazza bin Zayed in Al Ain. The final is scheduled for November 9 at Mohammed bin Zayed, with the third-place game set to take place on the same day at the other venue, promising a football festival for thousands of fans.
According to the official statement, the champions will be crowned on November 9, with a grand celebration anticipated as the event aims to deliver a top-tier sporting experience and regional camaraderie.
Context and Significance
Past editions typically featured the league and cup winners plus a wildcard; the 2025-2026 season will adopt the new four-team format, with adjustments planned for the following season. The UAE’s involvement stems from a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperative ties and showcase a premium football experience.
The UAE has previously hosted successful Super Cup editions in 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2022, earning praise from Arab fans and media. The collaboration seeks to deepen cultural and sporting ties while promoting Abu Dhabi as a premier winter destination for sport and tourism.
The presence of major clubs like Al Ahly, Zamalek, Pyramids, and Ceramica Cleopatra provides wide media coverage and helps raise the competition’s commercial value across the region and beyond.
Overall, the event represents a strategic effort to modernize the Egyptian Super Cup and offer fans multiple marquee matches under one umbrella, set against a backdrop that blends football with tourism and entertainment in the Arab world.
The competition traces back to 2001 and has long featured the country’s football giants, with notable clashes between the two Cairo powerhouses drawing massive local and international attention.
In recent years, the UAE became a favored host, staging editions in 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2022, thanks to strong organizational and fan engagement, making it a preferred destination for this special football occasion.
With this announcement, Abu Dhabi is gearing up to welcome a new Egyptian football festival that unites the country’s top clubs in a competitive and celebratory atmosphere, highlighting the close sports ties between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
The tournament also signals a modern approach to the Super Cup, offering fans multiple high-stakes matches in one event while showcasing the region’s growing capabilities in hosting elite sports.
Ultimately, the four-team format aims to produce a dynamic showcase that appeals to football purists and casual fans alike, combining competitive tension with the UAE’s renowned hospitality.
Punchline time: If football had a four-course menu, this edition would be a full-course banquet—two semifinals, a finale, and dessert for third place, all served hot in the desert heat. Punchline two: In Abu Dhabi, even the trophies wear sunglasses and take VIP transport—because they know they’re at the desert’s hottest red-carpet event.
