Rwanda has secured the right to host the CECAFA Kagame Cup for the next two editions, extending its run as the regional club football tournament’s host after a successful 2026 competition in Kigali.
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) approved Rwanda’s bid to stage the 2027 and 2028 editions during an Executive Committee meeting held on August 6. The decision follows the successful conclusion of this year’s tournament, which brought some of the region’s leading clubs to the Rwandan capital.
The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) had expressed interest in retaining the hosting rights, and its request was subsequently approved by the regional football governing body.
CECAFA said Rwanda’s successful organisation of the 2026 tournament played a key role in the decision, further underlining the country’s growing reputation for staging major football events.
The latest decision means Kigali will host the Kagame Cup for three successive editions, beginning with the 2026 tournament. The city returned to the competition’s hosting rotation this year after last staging the regional club championship in 2019.
Rwanda’s infrastructure, facilities and organisational capacity have increasingly made it an attractive destination for regional football competitions. The continued hosting rights also give the country an opportunity to build on the experience gained from the 2026 tournament while establishing greater consistency in the organisation of the competition.
The CECAFA Kagame Cup remains one of the region’s most important club competitions, bringing together champions and leading clubs from East and Central Africa. Beyond determining regional supremacy, the tournament provides participating teams with valuable competitive preparation ahead of their CAF inter-club campaigns.
CECAFA has emphasised the tournament’s role in helping clubs sharpen their squads before entering the demanding continental competitions organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The 2026 edition demonstrated the competition’s regional appeal, featuring 12 clubs from across the CECAFA zone. Among them were Kenyan champions Gor Mahia, Tanzanian giants Simba SC and Singida Black Stars, Ugandan champions Vipers SC, as well as Sudanese heavyweights Al Hilal and Al Merriekh.
Rayon Sports eventually claimed the title after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Gor Mahia following extra time, giving the home nation a memorable finish to a tournament that had showcased some of the region’s best club sides.
With Rwanda now confirmed as host for both 2027 and 2028, CECAFA will have continuity in the organisation of the Kagame Cup while Rwanda gets the opportunity to further refine its hosting model.
The decision also signals the regional body’s confidence in Rwanda’s ability to provide the infrastructure, facilities and logistical environment required to accommodate an increasingly competitive club tournament.
For participating clubs, the two-year hosting commitment offers another opportunity to compete in a familiar and well-established setting as they prepare for the next stages of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
As the Kagame Cup continues to evolve, Rwanda’s extended hosting role could also help strengthen the tournament’s profile and reinforce its importance as a bridge between domestic success and continental football.
