The
countdown to the new season has officially begun for REA, as the team will hold
its first gathering on Monday, August 10, marking the start of
preparations for the 2026-27 Greek Women's First Division Championship.
The initial
phase of the preseason will take place at Sohora Municipal Stadium,
where the foundations for the new campaign will be laid. The team's first
training sessions will be held at these facilities until final decisions are
made regarding the sports facilities at Gallos.
In the days
leading up to the start of preseason, all of REA's foreign players are expected
to arrive in Rethymno. The coaching staff anticipates that by August 18,
the entire squad will be available to head coach Gianna Douka, allowing
the team to begin its full preseason program.
At the same
time, the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) and the Women's Football
Committee have officially published the regulations for the 2026-27 Women's
First Division, introducing several changes compared to last season.
The most
significant change is the reduction of participating teams from 14 to 12.
REA will compete against PAOK, AEK, Panathinaikos, OFI, Asteras Tripolis,
Kifisia, Agia Paraskevi, Odysseas Moschatou, Volos, Seirines Grevena, and PAS
Pyrgos, with the opening round scheduled for September 19-20.
The
regulations continue to require that at least five Greek players must be
on the field throughout each match, while every club may use up to six
foreign players. In addition, maintaining a U17 team remains
mandatory, highlighting the federation's continued emphasis on youth
development and academy structures.