Jeddah witnessed a significant sporting event with the draw for the "Jeddah Football Championship 2026," reflecting the growing interest in community and institutional sports activities in the Kingdom. The draw ceremony was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, and with the direct oversight of His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah. It was organized and supervised by the Makkah Region branch of the Ministry of Sports, and attended by its director, Abdulaziz bin Aboud.
Tournament system details and start date
The organizing committee adopted precise criteria for classifying the 24 participating teams to ensure balance and fair competition. The teams were divided into two separate tracks to guarantee equal opportunities: the "Government Teams" track and the "Amateur League" track, ensuring that teams from these tracks would not face each other in the preliminary rounds. The competition is scheduled to kick off on the 14th of Sha'ban, with the excitement continuing until the final match and crowning ceremony on the 14th of Ramadan 1447 AH, adding a special Ramadan flavor to the tournament.
Draw results and group distribution
the government teams distributed as follows:
Group A: Includes the Ministry of Sports branch in the Makkah region, the Civil Defense, and the Ministry of Education.
Group B: Includes the National Guard in the Western Sector, the Jeddah Governorate Police, and the Royal Guard.
Group C: Includes the Facilities Security Forces, the Jeddah Governorate Security Patrols, and the Special Forces for Environmental Security.
Group D: Includes the Border Guard in the Makkah region, the Diplomatic Security in the Makkah region, and Saudi Aramco.
As for the amateur league , the groups were as follows:
Group (E): Al-Qunfudhah, Al-Ustoura, and Al-Tumooh.
Group (F): Noor Academy, Salam Al-Jami'a, and Shabab Al-Azz.
Group (G): Najoum Al-Fursan (from Taif), Al-Taawon (from Jeddah), and Al-Rasoukh (from Jeddah).
Group (H): Al-Arabi (from Jeddah), Al-Widad Al-Ta'ifi, and United (comprised of former players).
The cultural and social dimension of Ramadan tournaments
This tournament holds special significance as it builds upon the rich sporting heritage of Jeddah, a city renowned for its passion for football, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan tournaments in Saudi Arabia are an integral part of the local culture, transforming stadiums into social and sporting hubs that bring together young and old alike, strengthening social bonds and encouraging physical activity during this blessed month.
Enhancing quality of life and achieving the goals of the vision
This championship aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program, which aims to increase sports participation in society. By integrating government sectors with amateur teams and academies, the Ministry of Sport provides an ideal platform for discovering talent, fostering a spirit of fair competition, and raising the fitness levels of employees and community members alike, thus underscoring the vital role of sports as a cornerstone of public health and social well-being.
