Nominees were selected based on statistics and expert evaluation throughout the 26-match season, which featured 14 clubs competing in the top flight. A combination of fan votes, media panels and technical committees will determine the winners, with the ceremony scheduled for later this month. The league has presented these honours annually since its rebranding in 2008, recognising excellence in individual and team performance.
The Player of the Season shortlist includes three standout performers who led their teams in goals and assists, the Emirates News Agency reported. Similar three-man shortlists were published for Goalkeeper of the Season, Defender of the Season, Midfielder of the Season and Forward of the Season. Each category drew from data compiled by the league’s official statistics partner, which tracked more than 300 matches including cup competitions. Previous seasons have seen players from clubs such as Al Ain and Sharjah dominate the main individual awards.
Young Player of the Season recognition focused on talents under 23 years of age who made significant impacts in regular starting roles, according to the league announcement. The Coach of the Season category features managers who guided their sides to top-four finishes or trophy success in the 2025-26 term. Team of the Season will be chosen from the best XI performers, with data from the Pro League’s performance analytics unit serving as a key reference. The announcement also included a Fair Play Award shortlist that considered disciplinary records and sportsmanship metrics collected across all fixtures.
Voting for the awards opened immediately after the shortlist publication and will close later this week, the Emirates News Agency stated. Fans can participate through the official league application, which recorded more than 150,000 votes during the 2024-25 edition. Media and technical committee ballots carry equal weight in the final tally to balance popular opinion with expert assessment. Results are scheduled for release at an awards gala that also honours grassroots contributions to UAE football development.
The 2025-26 season saw record attendance figures at stadiums, with the league reporting an average of more than 8,000 spectators per match, up from prior years. This growth coincided with expanded international broadcasting deals that increased the competition’s regional visibility. The awards shortlists reflect both on-pitch achievements and the league’s broader push to elevate standards, as outlined in its strategic framework published at the start of the campaign. Final winners will be celebrated alongside the league’s annual review of football infrastructure projects.
Supporting data from the Asian Football Confederation places the UAE Pro League among the top three competitions in West Asia for match-day attendance and digital engagement during the 2025-26 term. The league has consistently used its end-of-season awards to highlight pathways for local talent, with past Young Player winners progressing to national team roles. Monday’s announcement serves as the culmination of a season that included multiple derbies drawing capacity crowds in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
