Al Masry begin Egyptian Premier League campaign against Smouha

Al Masry will open their Egyptian Premier League campaign against Smouha at New Suez Stadium on Saturday, 22 August.

The Egyptian Premier League is scheduled to begin on 21 August, with the first phase ending on 20 February. The second phase is due to start on 8 March, while the season is scheduled to conclude on 28 May, provided there are no changes to the May calendar because of the finals of continental competitions.

That possibility was highlighted by Taha Ezzat, chairman of the competitions committee.

Al Masry’s full first-phase fixture list is:

– Matchweek one: Al Masry v Smouha Saturday, 22 August, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek two: Al Mokawloon v Al Masry Thursday, 27 August, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek three: Al Masry v Pyramids Monday, 31 August, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek four: M Suez Petrojet v Al Masry Monday, 7 September, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek five: Al Masry v Al Ittihad Tuesday, 15 September, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek six: El Qanah v Al Masry Sunday, 11 October, New Suez Stadium, 17:00 – Matchweek seven: Al Masry v Abu Qir Fertilizers Monday, 19 October, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek eight: National Bank v Al Masry Wednesday, 28 October, New Suez Stadium, 17:00 – Matchweek nine: Al Masry v Petrojet Tuesday, 24 November, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek 10: Zamalek v Al Masry Wednesday, 9 December, Borg El Arab Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek 11: Al Masry v Ghazl El Mahalla Wednesday, 16 December, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek 12: Al Masry v El Gouna Wednesday, 23 December, New Suez Stadium, 17:00 – Matchweek 13: Modern v Al Masry Sunday, 27 December, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek 14: Al Masry v Ceramica Cleopatra Wednesday, 6 January, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek 15: Eastern Company ENPPI v Al Masry Wednesday, 27 January, New Suez Stadium, 17:00 – Matchweek 16: Al Masry v ZED Sunday, 31 January, New Suez Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek 17: Al Ahly v Al Masry Saturday, 6 February, Borg El Arab Stadium, 20:00 – Matchweek 18: Al Masry v Wadi Degla Friday, 12 February, New Suez Stadium, 21:30 – Matchweek 19: Tala’ea El Gaish v Al Masry Saturday, 20 February, New Suez Stadium, 21:30

Two-phase format

The competition will be played in two stages. The opening phase will use a single round-robin format, with the 20 teams playing 19 matches each.

At the end of that stage, the top six clubs will enter the championship group to compete for the title. The teams finishing from seventh to 20th will move into the relegation group.

Each club will carry its full points total from the first phase into the second phase. However, the standings in the final phase will be determined separately within each group, and both groups will also be played as single round-robin competitions.

If two or more clubs finish level on points, their positions will be decided in accordance with Article 15 of the competition regulations.

The four clubs at the bottom of the relegation group will be relegated to the lower division, the Professional League.