Ethiopian Premier League poised to return to Addis Ababa

Ethiopian Premier League games could return to Addis Ababa beginning in the upcoming 2025-26 season after stakeholders held a fruitful discussion. The possible return of top-flight football to the capital is expected to end a five-year hiatus. The last time Addis Ababa hosted a league game was in 2020.

Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) president Esayas Jira and Ethiopian Premier League Share Company (EPLSC) board chairman Lieutenant Fekade Mamo held talks with Addis Ababa city mayor Adanech Abiebie over the possibility of league football returning to the capital. The Addis Ababa City Administration confirmed that the talks were fruitful but declined to comment further.

The City Administration failed to give the green light to the EPLSC to stage league games due to security concerns arising from stadiums. The refurbishment of Addis Ababa Stadium had also played a part in not organizing Ethiopian Premier League matches. The City Administration is said to be wary of football hooliganism, as they were persistent with the EFF and EPLSC to curb the issue before getting the necessary green light.

Bitter rivals Ethiopian Coffee and Saint George often voiced their anger over games being played outside of the capital. Both clubs lost millions of birrs from stadium ticket sales in the past five seasons. The 2025/26 season is expected to be played in a different format, as Addis Ababa could be a host city if the administration allows it.

Among the 20 Ethiopian Premier League clubs, six are from Addis Ababa. The past four league title winners all came from the capital, with Ethiopian Insurance being the latest.

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