Oman Handball Association Approves 2026–2027 Season Schedule

Muscat: The Competitions Committee of Oman Handball Association has finalized the competition schedule for the 2026/2027 sports season, in a move aimed at early organization of events and enhancing the level of competitiveness among the association’s 43 affiliated clubs from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.

According to the proposal, which will be submitted to the Board of Directors, the season’s first competition will be the Junior League (born 2010–2012), kicking off on 21 August 2026.

This will be followed by the Youth League (born 2008–2009) on 28 August as part of a phased timeline designed to provide participation and development opportunities across different age groups.

Regarding the Super Cup, it has been decided that the competition will feature four clubs: Oman, Al Seeb, Al Amerat, and Nizwa. Oman will face Al Amerat directly without a draw, while a draw will be conducted between Al Seeb and Nizwa to determine the opponent for the winner of the first match.

The date of the tournament will be announced at a later stage. The Committee also approved the dates for the remaining competitions. The Second Division League will begin on 23 October 2026, followed by the First Division League on 1November 2026.

The Oman Handball Federation Cup – which will replace the former Ministry’s Shield competition – is set to start on 29 October 2026. It was also decided that the Women’s League and the Junior Beach Handball League will be held during April 2027, as part of the association’s broader efforts to expand participation and enhance the sport’s reach.

The Committee confirmed that detailed regulations for each competition will be issued at a later stage, once the list of participating clubs is finalized, ensuring clarity of rules and the principle of equal opportunity. As far as the technical regulations are concerned, the Committee has approved the registration of foreign players – including goalkeepers – in association competitions.

Additionally, the participation of four junior players in the Youth League has been authorized, with the aim of developing national talent and providing them with exposure to higher competitive levels.

This initiative is part of Oman Handball Association’s ongoing efforts to develop its competitions and raise the level of competitiveness, thereby contributing to the advancement of the sport in the Sultanate of Oman.

Meanwhile, five clubs have confirmed their participation in the Women’s Indoor Handball League: Salalah, Al Ittihad, Masirah, Al Amerat, and Saham. The competition is scheduled to begin in the middle of this month, following the closure of the registration period. The Competitions Committee is working to finalize the match schedule and regulatory bylaws in the coming days.

It is worth noting that this tournament marks the conclusion of the association’s competitions for the 2025/2026 sports season.