The Thousand Martyrs' Cup will mark the resumption of domestic Palestinian football in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip following a suspension that began in October 2023. The Palestinian Football Association met with representatives of West Bank clubs on 4 July 2026 to discuss restarting activities; President Jibril Rajoub disclosed plans aiming to launch a championship at the start of September.
Officially announced on 1 August, the tournament is scheduled to include football clubs from the West Bank, Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the diaspora. The competition commenced on 4 September with three simultaneous non-competitive matches alongside an opening ceremony. The Palestine Professional League is scheduled to return in its regular format next season.
This event is the first official competition organized by the Palestinian Football Association since 6 October 2023, when the 2023–24 season was halted at the start of round four and subsequently canceled. In a meeting held on 6 July 2025, Rajoub stated that there is a desire for the Palestinian League to return, provided that mandatory conditions are met. In turn, Sami Abu Al-Hossain, Assistant Secretary-General of the Association in the Southern Governorates, stated that widespread destruction occurred to sports facilities in the Gaza Strip, with the exception of the Rafah Municipal Stadium.
Schedule Matchday Date 1 11–13 September 2026
Teams A total of 243 teams will participate, with the first round featuring a group-stage competition organized by governorate. 25 August was established as the final date for clubs to confirm their entry. The draw took place on 1 September. Participating teams were allocated into groups consisting of three, four or five teams. The group winners and runners-up will progress to the second round.
Opening matches All times are denoted in UTC+3.
Group stage Northern Governorates Nablus Group 1
Group 2
South Nablus Group 1
Group 2
Jenin-Tubas Group 1
Group 2
Qalqilya-Salfit Group 1
Group 2
Tulkarem Group 1
Group 2
Hebron Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Group 7
Bethlehem Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Jerusalem-Jericho Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Ramallah-Al-Bireh Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Group 7
Group 8
Group 9
Group 10
Group 11
Southern Governorates
Gaza and North Branch Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Central and Southern Branch Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Diaspora Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Sidon Group
Tyre Group
Notes
References