The 2025/26 Ethiopian Premier League season will kick off on October 18 in Addis Ababa and Adama, marking the start of a new era for the country’s top flight.
For the first time, 20 clubs will compete under a revamped format introduced by the Ethiopian Premier League Share Company (EPLSC).
Under the new structure, teams will be split into two groups of ten.
The fixtures staged across four cities – Addis Ababa, Adama, Dire Dawa, and Hawassa.
Each match day will feature five games per group.
The league expects to stage 380 matches over the course of the season.
To ensure player welfare, recovery periods have been extended to two or three days between games.
A unique twist will see the groups reshuffled after matchday nine, ensuring that all 20 clubs eventually face each other.
The opening weekend promises fireworks with a Sheger Derby showdown between city rivals Ethiopian Coffee and Saint George, both drawn into the same group alongside defending champions Ethiopian Insurance.
The return of league action to Addis Ababa after four years adds to the anticipation.
Only fans with official IDs will gain entry to the capital’s stadium.
Organisers will install new CCTV systems to strengthen security and curb disorder.
Bahir Dar may also join as a host city if workers finish the stadium renovations.
While Arbaminch University has expressed interest in staging games later in the campaign.
