The Egyptian Premier League returns for a brand-new season that promises intense competition among Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Pyramids FC, alongside ambitious dark horses vying for top-table positions.
This edition features the historic absence of Ismaily following their relegation to the Egyptian Second Division A (Professional League). Meanwhile, Zamalek enter the campaign amidst ongoing financial and managerial hurdles, including transfer ban resolutions and squad reinforcement challenges.
Al Ahly have executed sweeping technical changes—highlighted by the appointment of Moroccan manager Lhoussaine Ammouta—while Pyramids FC ended the Krunoslav Jurčić era, bringing in South African coach Rulani Mokwena. These managerial shifts set the stage for a fiercely contested campaign alongside strong contenders like Ceramica Cleopatra, ZED FC, and Al Masry SC.
When Does the Egyptian Premier League 2026–2027 Season Start?
The 2026–2027 Egyptian Premier League season kicks off on Friday, August 21, 2026, as confirmed by the Egyptian Professional Football Clubs Association (EPL).
Gameweek 1 features Zamalek taking on Al Ittihad Alexandria, while Al Ahly open their title defense against Al Sharqia ENPPI at Cairo International Stadium. Pyramids FC travel to face Ghazl El Mahalla in El Mahalla.
Zamalek 2026–2027 Premier League Fixtures (First Stage)
Zamalek will play 19 matches during the first stage, opening against Al Ittihad Alexandria before meeting Bank El Ahly in Gameweek 2.
The White Knights host Al Ahly in the Cairo Derby in Gameweek 6, face Al Masry in Gameweek 10, and take on Pyramids FC in Gameweek 13.
Zamalek’s first-stage fixture list is as follows:
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Gameweek 1: Zamalek vs. Al Ittihad Alexandria
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Gameweek 2: Bank El Ahly vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 3: Zamalek vs. Montakhab El Suez Petrojet
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Gameweek 4: Zamalek vs. Abo Qir Fertilisers
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Gameweek 5: Ghazl El Mahalla vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 6: Zamalek vs. Al Ahly
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Gameweek 7: Petrol Asyut vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 8: Arab Contractors (Al Mokawloon Al Arab) vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 9: El Gouna vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 10: Zamalek vs. Al Masry SC
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Gameweek 11: Smouha vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 12: Zamalek vs. Tala’ea El Gaish
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Gameweek 13: Pyramids FC vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 14: Zamalek vs. Wadi Degla
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Gameweek 15: ZED FC vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 16: Modern Sport vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 17: Ceramica Cleopatra vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 18: Zamalek vs. Al Sharqia ENPPI
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Gameweek 19: El Qanah vs. Zamalek
Al Ahly 2026–2027 Premier League Fixtures (First Stage)
Al Ahly begin their campaign against Al Sharqia ENPPI, followed by clashes with ZED FC in Gameweek 2 and Smouha in Gameweek 3.
The Red Giants face Zamalek in the derby in Gameweek 6, challenge Pyramids FC in Gameweek 9, and host Al Masry in Gameweek 17.
Al Ahly’s first-stage fixture list is as follows:
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Gameweek 1: Al Ahly vs. Al Sharqia ENPPI
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Gameweek 2: Al Ahly vs. ZED FC
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Gameweek 3: Al Ahly vs. Smouha
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Gameweek 4: Al Ahly vs. Arab Contractors (Al Mokawloon Al Arab)
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Gameweek 5: Al Ahly vs. Abo Qir Fertilisers
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Gameweek 6: Al Ahly vs. Zamalek
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Gameweek 7: Al Ahly vs. El Qanah
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Gameweek 8: Al Ahly vs. Modern Sport
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Gameweek 9: Pyramids FC vs. Al Ahly
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Gameweek 10: Ghazl El Mahalla vs. Al Ahly
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Gameweek 11: Al Ahly vs. Petrol Asyut
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Gameweek 12: Al Ahly vs. Ceramica Cleopatra
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Gameweek 13: Al Ahly vs. Al Ittihad Alexandria
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Gameweek 14: El Gouna vs. Al Ahly
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Gameweek 15: Al Ahly vs Montakhab El Suez Petrojet
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Gameweek 16: Al Ahly vs. Bank El Ahly
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Gameweek 17: Al Ahly vs. Al Masry SC
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Gameweek 18: Al Ahly vs. Tala’ea El Gaish
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Gameweek 19: Al Ahly vs. Wadi Degla
When Does the Egyptian Premier League 2026–2027 Season End?
The 2026–2027 season is scheduled to conclude on Friday, May 28, 2027.
According to the official calendar, the first phase (regular single round-robin) will conclude on February 20, 2027, with the second phase kicking off on March 8, 2027.
Egyptian Premier League 2026–2027 Format and Relegation Rules
A total of 20 teams will participate in the 2026–2027 Egyptian Premier League season, competing across two distinct phases.
In Phase One, all 20 clubs play a single round-robin format (19 matches per team). Following Gameweek 19, the standings split into two separate groups for Phase Two:
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Championship Group: Features the top 6 teams from Phase One, competing to determine the league champion and CAF Champions League/Confederation Cup qualification spots.
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Relegation Group: Comprises the remaining 14 teams, competing to avoid relegation to the Professional League.
According to statements by EPL President Ahmed Diab, the bottom 4 teams in the Relegation Group will be relegated to the Second Division A, while 3 teams will earn promotion. This structure will reduce the league to 19 teams for the 2027–2028 season, continuing a phased reduction strategy aiming to return to a standard 18-team, two-round league format by the 2028–2029 season.
