The Zambia Premier League is starting on 3 October 2026. The league board pushed the opening round back from 12 September to free up the FIFA international window, so the new campaign, known as the Transition League, runs from October 2026 into January 2027.
When is the Zambia Premier League starting in 2026?
Kick off is 3 October 2026. Silverware arrives before that. The Charity Shield between Red Arrows and Power Dynamos is set for 19 September 2026, giving supporters a first look at the champions. Power Dynamos retained the MTN Super League title in 2025/26, with Red Arrows finishing second and taking a CAF Confederation Cup place.
Why the season starts in October and not August
Zambian football has changed its calendar. On 9 May 2026 the FAZ Council voted to move the domestic season from the old August to May format to a March to November calendar, a decision aimed at keeping league matches off waterlogged pitches and cutting postponements. The 2026 Transition League bridges the two systems, and the first full March to November season follows in 2027.
What the Transition League format looks like
The Transition League is a short competition rather than a full season. Clubs are split into two streams based on where they finished in the 2025/26 MTN Super League, using odd and even positions, and the competition closes in January 2027. A new knockout tournament, the ZFA Challenge Cup, runs alongside it. The same council meeting approved expanding the Super League and National Division One from 18 clubs to 20.
Betting on the 2026 Transition League
The October start hands Zambian punters a short, dense schedule. Two streams mean fewer fixtures per club, so early form carries more weight and outright markets settle faster than in a normal campaign. A ZMW 50 stake on Power Dynamos at 1.85 returns ZMW 92.50. Licensed sites here also price the Charity Shield and the ZFA Challenge Cup. Compare prices before the first round at our guide to the best betting sites in Zambia, where AXN Sports ranks operators on licensing, MTN, Airtel and Zamtel mobile money payouts, and depth of local league coverage.
FAQ
When is the Zambia Premier League starting?
The league starts on 3 October 2026. The board moved the date from 12 September to accommodate the international calendar. The Transition League then runs through to January 2027.
Who are the defending champions?
Power Dynamos. The Kitwe side retained the MTN Super League title in the 2025/26 season, finishing ahead of Red Arrows.
How many teams will play in the Zambian top flight?
The Super League is growing from 18 clubs to 20 under the FAZ Council decision of 9 May 2026. National Division One expands to 20 as well.
Bet responsibly
Every bookmaker AXN Sports lists holds a licence from the Gaming Regulatory Board. You must be 18 or older to place a bet. Set a deposit limit before the opening round, and use the self exclusion tools your operator provides if betting stops being enjoyable. Odds and offers are subject to change.
