The Palestinian Union announced the return of sports activity in the country, after a three-year hiatus.
Sports activity in Palestine stopped after the events of October 7 and the war with the Zionist entity.
The Palestinian Union revealed, in an official statement, the holding of a consultative meeting chaired by Jibril Rajoub, President of the Union, and representatives of the clubs, where it was decided to resume activity once again.
The statement indicated that it was decided to resume the league under the name of the Tournament of the 1,000 Martyrs Cup, starting next September.
The statement read as follows:
1- The activating tournament shall be held with the participation of all clubs wishing to participate in the northern governorates, Jerusalem, the southern governorates, and the diaspora.
2- The period for confirming registration and enrollment for this tournament begins on the morning of Sunday, corresponding to 02/08/2026, and ends at the close of business on Tuesday, corresponding to 25/08/2026, for all clubs wishing to participate in the tournament.
3- All clubs must confirm their participation in the activating tournament to be held through an official letter submitted to the sub-unions by Thursday, corresponding to 06/08/2026, as the final deadline, along with proof of compliance with the minimum participation criteria, which are:
A. Attach a letter from the Supreme Council proving the legality of the club's administrative body and the club's fulfillment of local licensing requirements.
B. A signed and stamped undertaking from the club stating the club's commitment to the participation requirements in the tournament, and compliance with the regulations and bylaws in force at the Palestinian Football Union and any subsequent instructions issued by it.
4- All participating clubs must confirm their players' rosters according to the latest roster approved by the Palestinian Football Union, provided that the rosters are submitted to the sub-unions during official working hours, with the number of players on the roster not exceeding 30 players for the classified category of 19 years and above (exception for this tournament), and registering players of other age groups from 18–16 and the 15–13 category in separate rosters, and any other categories under 13 years that the club wishes to register.
5- Clubs wishing to include players from other clubs in their rosters must submit an exemption letter or proof of approval from their previous club for the transfer.
6- Clubs are not currently required to submit new contracts and registration documents, and reliance will be placed on the players' records held by the Union.
7- Each club must submit a roster of the club's administrators consisting of the technical and medical staff roster, including 10 names, mandatorily including the technical director holding a coaching certificate approved by the Palestinian Football Union, the team doctor or physiotherapist, and the team manager, and another roster of 10 names including the remaining members of the club's administrative body.
Each club shall subsequently submit a letter specifying the colors of the team's primary and reserve jerseys, as well as the colors of the goalkeepers' jerseys.
9- After the participation confirmation requests for the tournament are completed, the mechanism and tournament system will be announced, and the date for drawing lots in the branches will be set.
10- Clubs have the right to include youth category players in their rosters to participate in the tournament (under 18 years) with a maximum of 10 players on the match roster and allowing 4 of them to be on the field during the match.
11- All clubs bear legal responsibility for the integrity of their rosters and the information they provide to the Union regarding the registration of their players and administrators.
12- The Union will soon issue Circular No. 2 in this regard, concerning the mechanism and tournament system, approved stadiums, draw dates, and any necessary clarifications.
