The Amir Cup has long been considered the most prestigious and significant football tournament in Qatar. It has been known to throw up thrilling moments and classic matchups, marked by fierce competition among Qatari clubs.
With the final of the tournament’s 54th edition fast approaching, here is a brief look at the tournament’s history, format changes, most successful clubs and other statistics.
BEGINNINGS
The tournament, first played in 1973, has gone through different stages and changes. It included adjustments in the number of teams and competition formats.
From the first edition until 1999, only nine First Division clubs were allowed to compete. While the top-seven league teams qualified directly for the quarterfinals, the bottom two teams competed for the last spot. The tournament then followed a knockout format until the final.
SECOND PHASE
The tournament’s second phase began from 2000 onwards, when Second Division teams started to be allowed to compete in the top-tier tournament. While the top four First Division teams directly entered the quarterfinals, teams ranked fifth to eighth joined from the third round, the bottom two from the second round, and Second Division teams from the first round.
THIRD PHASE
The Amir Cup’s third phase began in 2007 and adopted a five-stage single-elimination format, including the semifinal stage. This shift was due to scheduling pressures after the Qatar League transitioned to a professional three-tier system – Qatar Stars League.
PAST WINNERS
Al Sadd (19 titles)
1975, 1977, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1994, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2024
Al Arabi (9 titles)
1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2023
Al Gharafa (8 titles)
1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2009, 2012, 2025
Al Rayyan (6 titles)
1999, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013
Al Duhail/Lekhwiya (4 titles)
2016, 2018, 2019, 2022
Al Ahli (4 titles)
1973, 1981, 1987, 1992
Qatar SC (2 titles)
1974, 1976
Umm Salal (1 title)
2008
AMIR CUP TRIVIA
* Starting with the 47th edition in 2019, the tournament’s official name was changed from ‘Emir Cup’ to the ‘Amir Cup.’
* Eight clubs have etched their names into the championship records, but only two have managed to win three or more consecutive times, thereby earning the right to keep the trophy — Al Arabi and Al Gharafa.
* Al Arabi got to keep the cup in its trophy cabinet after winning it three consecutive times — in 1978, 1979, and 1980.
* Al Gharafa became the second club to retain the trophy after winning it four times in a row from 1995 to 1998.
* Umm Salal won its only title in 2008, just two seasons after being promoted to the First Division League. They defeated Al Gharafa in the final via penalty shootout (4–1).
* One of the most one-side finals in Amir Cup history was in the 1972–73 season, when Al Ahli beat Al Rayyan 6–1. The record stands to this day.
* The longest gap between titles was 30 years, when defeated Al Sadd in 2023 to lift the coveted trophy. Their previous title was in 1993.
* The largest victory margin in the tournament’s history happened in 1982, when Al Sadd defeated Al Shamal 16-2.
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