The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Photography by Mahmoud Khaled

As Ramadan kicks in, we witness football tournaments around every corner on every street. One tournament in particular is unlike all the others. Anticipated by street football enthusiasts all around Egypt, Dawry El Falaky is the biggest street football tournament, taking place annually throughout the 30 days of Ramadan in the heart of Alexandria.

Photography by Mahmoud Khaled

With the first match having taken place in 1976, Dawry El Falaky is named after Sayed El Falaky, the founder and first organiser of the renowned tournament. Before iftar, starting at around 3 pm, teams carrying the names of different cities around Egypt, including Al Wardian, Al Mnasheya, and others, head to the Moharam Bek district as they prepare for their matches with excitement and passion. Separated by age groups, the games occur every day until the end of the holy month, with one winning team for each age group. And just like other reputable tournaments, each team has its die-hard supporters coming out to support their city and cheer in the hopes of their beloved team lifting the El Falaky Cup.

Photography by Mahmoud Khaled

Attended by hundreds of Alexandria’s locals and thousands of Egyptians seeking to indulge in the excitement, Dawry Al Falaky has welcomed multiple renowned figures with open arms over the years. Visited by Mohamed Lateef, known as the “sheikh” of football commentators, Hamada Emam, the iconic Zamalek legend, and Mahmoud Bakr, Al Falaky has gained massive public recognition in the realm of sports. Additionally, Ahmed El Kas, the manager of Egypt’s junior national team, was once one of Dawry El Falaky’s iconic players. Another talent brought to light through this tournament was Ahmed Sary, once a top scorer in the Egyptian Premier League, who played for Al Ittihad Al Sakandary and is the team’s current manager.

Photography by Mahmoud Khaled

El Falaky’s popularity extended beyond Alexandria’s football enthusiasts; it reached the capital when Adel Emam, while preparing for his role in the iconic film El Hareef, spoke highly of El Falaky and followed every game closely.

Whether you’re a football enthusiast or just seeking to savour special moments of Ramadan, explore new experiences, and indulge in the national game as you allow your inner tourist to explore – Dawry El Falaky should undoubtedly be on your Ramadan agenda.