According to the official fixture list released by the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) on August 29, the new NBC Premier League 2025/26 season will officially kick off on September 17, 2025, with two opening matches
Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian football fans are in for another treat this year as arch-rivals Simba SC and Young Africans SC (Yanga) are set to lock horns in the second Kariakoo Derby of the season on December 13, 2025. The clash comes just three months after the two giants meet in the Community Shield (Ngao ya Jamii) curtain-raiser on September 16.
According to the official fixture list released by the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) on August 29, the new NBC Premier League 2025/26 season will officially kick off on September 17, 2025, with two opening matches.
KMC FC will host Dodoma Jiji at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam, while Coastal Union will welcome Tanzania Prisons to Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga. The release of the fixtures has already sparked excitement among fans as it lays out the path for another thrilling campaign that will run until May 23, 2026.
Speaking during the launch, acting TPLB CEO Ibrahim Mwayela emphasized that the board carefully considered the congested football calendar, both locally and internationally.
Tanzania is set to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025, while clubs will also participate in CAF competitions and the CRDB Federation Cup. Mwayela stressed that the fixtures are balanced and mindful of all competitions, with the season set to conclude on May 23 without unnecessary postponements.
He further explained that the scheduling was designed to accommodate Tanzania’s four continental representatives — Simba SC, Yanga SC, Azam FC, and Singida Black Stars — while also reducing travel strain for clubs by grouping fixtures logically.
According to him, clubs are expected to adapt without complaints since the calendar strictly follows both local regulations and FIFA timelines.
Among the standout fixtures, none captures the imagination quite like the Kariakoo Derby. The December 13 showdown will see Yanga as the designated home team at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The encounter promises fireworks, as both sides are not only battling for city bragging rights but also the league crown. Last season’s meetings drew massive crowds, record TV audiences, and global attention, underlining the derby’s stature as one of Africa’s fiercest rivalries.
The timing, just days before Christmas, is expected to add an extra festive flavor, with fans anticipating a carnival atmosphere in the city.
The fixture list also outlines other intriguing encounters. October and November will see several crucial matchups as title contenders try to establish early dominance.
April and May 2026 feature decisive clashes, including matches involving Azam, Singida Black Stars, and other mid-table contenders fighting for continental qualification spots. The final round on May 23, 2026, will see all 16 teams in action simultaneously to preserve fairness in the title race and relegation battles.
Meanwhile, the CRDB Federation Cup semi-finals are scheduled for May 16–17, 2026, with the grand final set for May 27, 2026. These knockout fixtures promise more drama, especially if the big clubs collide once again.
The 2025/26 campaign comes at a time when Tanzanian football continues to rise in profile. The recent success of clubs in CAF competitions, the growing competitiveness of smaller teams like Dodoma Jiji and Pamba Jiji, and the attraction of international stars have all contributed to the league’s expansion.
With fixtures now confirmed, the countdown begins for what promises to be one of the most thrilling and demanding seasons yet.
Fans are already circling key dates, with December 13 marked in bold — the day Dar es Salaam comes to a standstill for the Kariakoo Derby. The stage is set for a season of high drama, passion, and unmissable football.
The NBC Premier League 2025/26 promises not only another titanic Simba–Yanga battle but also a campaign full of twists across the country. From September’s kickoff to May’s grand finale, Tanzanian football will once again take center stage — and the December derby will be the jewel in its crown.
