Division 1 (United Arab Emirates) 2026/27

The UAE First Division League operates as the second tier of professional football in the United Arab Emirates. Organized by the UAE Football Association, the competition was established in 1974 and sits directly below the UAE Pro League, which is currently known as the ADNOC Pro League. Unlike the top-flight series, this second tier has not secured a major official naming rights sponsor.

The season follows a double round-robin system where each team plays every other side twice, resulting in 28 matches per club. The structure determines movement between divisions without play-offs; the top two finishers gain direct promotion to the Pro League, while the bottom two face immediate relegation to the UAE Second Division League. That third tier was created in 2019 to better organize the national pyramid.

Historical disruptions have affected the schedule, including the suspension of the 1990–91 campaign due to the Gulf War and the cancellation of the 2019–20 season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ittihad Kalba holds the record for most titles with seven, followed by Khor Fakkan, formerly known as Al Khaleej, with six. The current champion is Al Dhafra, who claimed their third title in the 2024–25 season.

The league includes clubs such as Al Arabi, Al Fujairah SC, Al Dhafra, and Dibba Al Fujairah. The current squad size stands at fifteen participants, reflecting recent expansions in team numbers since the restructuring. This format provides a clear pathway for development within the country's football hierarchy.