The UAE Pro League launched its annual workshop on Sunday, 2 August, as part of its preparations for the start of the 2026–27 season. The three-day workshop, which runs until 4 August in Abu Dhabi, brings together match officials and representatives of the professional clubs.
The opening day was attended by 70 participants, including match commissioners, media officers, and access control officers.
The workshop, held at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, featured a presentation on the League's new electronic operations system, designed to streamline the work of match officials and enhance operational efficiency. The system includes a comprehensive checklist that enables officials to record observations and monitor key aspects of match organisation.
The second session focused on the AFC matchday operations model. Chetan Kulkarni, AFC Sports Operations Manager, delivered a comprehensive presentation on match organisation procedures, covering stadium and venue preparations, facilities and services, as well as the responsibilities of the match commissioner, general coordinator, media coordinator, and security coordinator before, during, and after matches.
Kulkarni also reviewed the organisational, operational, media, fan engagement, and security procedures applied in AFC competitions, highlighting the practices and procedures that contribute to delivering matches in line with the highest professional standards.
The workshop continued with a review of several case studies from the previous season, allowing participants to discuss practical scenarios and identify key lessons to further strengthen match operations during the new season.
The opening day concluded with a field visit to Al Nahyan Stadium, where participants examined a number of operational scenarios in a practical setting. Match officials discussed each case within their respective areas of responsibility, further enhancing their readiness for the 2026–27 season, which kicks off on 14 August.
The workshop will continue on Monday at Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi, with the participation of club representatives alongside the League's match officials.
UAE Pro League board member and Vice Chairman of the Technical Committee Tariq Ali Al Shabibi expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the programme presented during the opening day and the positive engagement shown by the match officials throughout the sessions. He said the level of interaction reflected the participants' commitment to continuous development and delivering the highest professional standards, contributing to the continued growth of UAE football and supporting the professional game.
Al Shabibi added that the UAE Pro League had invited representatives from the Asian Football Confederation to participate in the workshop as part of its commitment to benefiting from international expertise and best practices.
He noted that the Pro League applies the highest professional standards in organising its competitions and places great importance on developing match officials and enabling them to officiate and manage matches across domestic and continental competitions.
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