Kuwait Club, Al-Arabi set for blockbuster Zain Premier League opener

KUNA photos Kuwait FA officials attend the draw ceremony for the 65th Zain Premier League.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 10 (KUNA:  The Kuwait Football Association (KFA) held the draw on Monday for the 65th edition of the Zain Premier League, with the 2026-2027 season set to kick off on August 25.

The new season will feature 12 teams: defending champion Kuwait Club, Al-Qadsia, Al-Arabi, Al-Salmiya, Kazma, Al-Fahaheel, Al-Nasr, Al-Tadamon, Al-Jahra, Al-Shabab, and the champions and runners-up of the First Division.

The opening-round draw produced a high-profile clash between defending champion Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi, one of the most anticipated fixtures of the first round.

Al-Qadsia will face Al-Fahaheel, Al-Tadamon will meet Kazma, Al-Jahra will take on Al-Shabab, and Al-Salmiya will play Al-Nasr. The First Division champions will face the runners-up.

Under the competition regulations, the league will be played on a home-and-away basis, with matches scheduled over two days each week and three games played per day.

The KFA announced on Sunday that Zain Telecommunications will remain the sponsor of both the Premier League and First Division after winning the bidding process for the next four seasons.