The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has officially unveiled the 2025/26 top-tier football season under a new identity, the “SportPesa League” in a landmark partnership with leading gaming firm SportPesa. This sponsorship, valued at Ksh 85 million for first year, is set to inject fresh energy and incentives into Kenyan football, with a bold new prize structure and the return of fan-favourite awards.
In a significant boost to club finances, FKF Premier League clubs will receive 60 percent of the total sponsorship amounting to Ksh 51 million directly. FKF President Hussein Mohammed praised the deal as a crucial milestone in building a commercially viable league but challenged clubs to follow FKF’s lead and actively seek their own private partnerships.
“This partnership is a great first step, but clubs must also play their part and look for independent sponsorships. We must professionalize and commercialize our football,” Hussein said.
Under the new structure, the total prize money for the season has been pegged at Ksh 20 million, with SportPesa and FKF contributing Ksh 10 million each. The ultimate league champions will walk away with Ksh 15 million, runners-up will earn Ksh 3 million, while the third-placed team will pocket Ksh 2 million.
SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri expressed optimism about the future of the partnership and promised that the prize purse is only set to grow in the coming seasons. “We are committed to making the SportPesa League bigger and better. As we move forward, we will review and increase the prize money. Our goal is to create a competitive and rewarding environment for players and clubs,” he noted.
Karauri also confirmed the return of individual accolades, which had been shelved in recent seasons. Monthly Player of the Month awards will be reintroduced, along with a fully-fledged End-of-Season Gala that will honour the best players, coaches, and teams. “We are bringing back the glamour to Kenyan football. The season will not just end silently. We’ll celebrate excellence as it should be,” he stated.
In addition to the new sponsorship deal, clubs in the top division continue to benefit from an existing broadcasting partnership with Azam TV. Each of the 18 FKF Premier League clubs receives Ksh 4 million per season from Azam. Moreover, traditional giants Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards enjoy an exclusive arrangement with the Tanzanian broadcaster that sees each club earn an additional Ksh 2.8 million every month , a figure that has greatly helped both sides stabilize financially last 12 months.
In a veiled dig at the previous FKF administration, the current leadership emphasized the importance of transparency, noting that sponsorship deals can be secured openly and outside of political cycles. This remark comes amid renewed calls for accountability and proper management of football resources.
While the men’s top flight takes center stage for now, both FKF and SportPesa hinted at forthcoming announcements concerning support for grassroots football and the women’s game, signaling a broader commitment to holistic football development.
The launch of the SportPesa League marks a symbolic rebirth for Kenyan football, blending financial empowerment, professionalism, and reward-driven motivation. With the new season set to kick off under this refreshed outlook, fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see whether the promises translate into meaningful change on the pitch and beyond.
