Crown Prince Cup trophy.

KUWAIT CITY, March 2: The 31st edition of the Crown Prince Cup Championship will begin next Thursday with two preliminary round matches. Kuwait Club faces Al-Tadamon at Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, while Al-Sulaibikhat takes on Khaitan at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium.

The preliminary round continues on Friday with two more matches. Kazma meets Al-Yarmouk at Thamer Stadium, and Burgan goes up against Al-Salmiya at Al-Sadaka Al-Salam Stadium.

On Saturday, Al-Fahaheel battles Al-Shabab at Nasser Al-Osaimi Stadium, while Al-Jahra faces newly promoted Al-Jazeera at Al-Sadaka Al-Salam Stadium.

Meanwhile, the matches between Al-Qadsiya and Al-Nasr, as well as Al-Arabi and Al-Sahel, have been postponed. Al-Qadsiya is competing in the Gulf Club Champions League semi-finals, while Al-Arabi is engaged in the first leg of the West Asia Zone final of the Asian Challenge Cup.

The tournament follows a single-elimination format.

Al-Qadsiya, Kuwait Club, and Al-Arabi have each claimed the title nine times, while Al-Salmiya has won twice, and Kazma once.

Al-Arabi won the most recent edition of the tournament in the 2022-2023 season, defeating Al-Salmiya 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff