Play-Offs Kick Off Tonight

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The fight for places in next season’s Nasser bin Hamad Premier League begins tonight, as four teams enter the promotion and relegation play-offs with two top-flight spots on the line.

Premier League sides Al Najma and Budaiya are aiming to retain their status after narrowly avoiding relegation, finishing level on 22 points, with Budaiya ahead on head-to-head following a 1–1 draw in the first meeting and a 2–1 victory in the return fixture. From the First Division, Al Ittihad (46 points) and Manama (44 points) come into the play-offs after falling just short of automatic promotion despite strong campaigns.

The opening round gets underway tonight, with Budaiya facing Manama at Bahrain National Stadium, while Al Najma take on Al Ittihad at Al Ahli Club Stadium. Both matches kick off at 7pm, with early momentum expected to be crucial in the short round-robin format.

The second round follows on Monday, May 25, when Budaiya meet Al Najma at Bahrain National Stadium and Manama face Al Ittihad at Al Ahli Club Stadium. With only a limited number of matches to determine outcomes, every point carries significant weight.

The play-offs conclude on May 30, when Al Ittihad meet Budaiya at Al Ahli Club Stadium and Al Najma face Manama at Bahrain National Stadium; both fixtures are again scheduled for 7pm.

At the end of the mini-league, the top two teams will secure places in next season’s Nasser bin Hamad Premier League, while the remaining two will compete in the First Division.