Can I sign my child up directly?

No - entry is through a club. A club completes the online application with its age groups and squad sizes, and the league confirms division placement. If your child isn't with a club yet, ask the provider which clubs take part.

How much does it cost?

Fees vary by competition and age group and are shared during the registration process; they cover league administration, referee coordination, fixtures and end-of-season awards.

Which day are matches?

Cup games and rescheduled fixtures can also fall on Saturdays or weekday evenings, if both clubs agree.

Where are matches played?

EYFL venues include The Sevens Stadium and HCT Active. Youth Development League boys play at Jebel Ali School and girls at Arcadia School, JVT.

When does the season start?

The main registration window usually opens in August ahead of the October season start; the Youth Development League 2026/27 season starts in September.

Equiti Youth Football League Dubai

Q: Is there a league for beginners?

Yes - the Youth Development League is designed for beginner players and clubs entering organised football for the first time, with U6, U8 and U10 age groups.

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Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Al Marmoom

The Equiti Youth Football League (EYFL) is a competition, not a coaching class: clubs register teams and play a season of fixtures, so it suits a child who already trains with a club and wants regular matches. There are three tiers. The Youth Development League is for beginner players and clubs entering organised football for the first time, with 5v5 and 7v7 games on Fridays for U6, U8 and U10 boys and U8 and U10 girls. The main EYFL runs mostly on Sundays for boys U7-U16 and girls U9-U16, across up to six divisions, at venues including The Sevens Stadium and HCT Active. The league reports 23,000+ players, 750+ teams and 8,000+ games a year, and has been running for nine years.

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The activity

Football, explained

A youth football league is different from a football academy: instead of weekly coaching sessions, clubs register a squad and play a season of fixtures against other clubs, building match experience, teamwork and competitive fitness alongside the technical side. Formats change with age - younger children usually play smaller-sided games (like 5-a-side or 7-a-side) before moving to full 11-a-side football as teens. Playing in a league on top of training gives kids a reason to apply what they've learned and a regular Sunday (or Friday) fixture to look forward to.

Who it's for

Boys and girls who play for a club. Youth Development League: U6, U8 and U10 boys, U8 and U10 girls, aimed at beginner players and clubs in their first competitive season. EYFL: boys U7-U16, girls U9-U16. Families don't enter a child directly - entry is through a club.

What to expect

Entry is at club level, not by individual families: a club fills in the online application with its name, age groups, estimated squad sizes and a contact, and the divisions it picks are provisional until the league's operations team confirms placement. The main registration window usually opens in August ahead of the October season start. YDL matches are 5v5 or 7v7 on Fridays (boys at Jebel Ali School, girls at Arcadia School, JVT); EYFL fixtures are mostly on Sundays and use rolling substitutions at every age group. Fees vary by competition and age group and are given during registration. If your child isn't in a club yet, ask the provider which clubs enter.

Highlights

Open to boys and girls, with separate girls' competitions (yfldubai.com)
Rolling (unlimited) substitutions at every EYFL age group (yfldubai.com)
23,000+ players and 750+ teams a year, nine years running (yfldubai.com)
EYFL venues include The Sevens Stadium and HCT Active (yfldubai.com)
4.7 on Google from 55 reviews (Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

The league has a 4.7 rating on Google from 55 reviews: 48 are five-star, with 3 four-star, 2 three-star and 2 one-star.

The facts

Ages: YDL
Boys: U6, U8, U10
Girls: U8, U10
EYFL
Boys: U7-U16
Girls: U9-U16
YPL
Boys: U14-U17
Girls: U16 (by invitation or successful application)
(yfldubai.com)
Prices: Varies by competition and age group; given to clubs during registration (yfldubai.com)
Schedule: Youth Development League: Fridays. EYFL: mostly Sundays. Youth Premier League: midweek (yfldubai.com)
Trial: Ask the provider
Where: The Sevens Stadium, Al Marmoom (EYFL) · HCT Active (EYFL) · Jebel Ali School (YDL boys) · Arcadia School, JVT (YDL girls)
How to book: yfldubai.com/register · +971 58 549 8515 · [email protected]

Guide · 7 min readRead: What age can children start football in Dubai?

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Free on-site parking at The Sevens Stadium (Google listing)
Wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, toilets and seating at The Sevens Stadium (Google listing)
Office hours are Saturday to Thursday, 9am-6pm (yfldubai.com)
Fixture dates may shift around public holidays and Ramadan; final timings go to clubs (yfldubai.com)