SportPesa League 2025/26: Record KSh20 Million Prize Purse Ushers in a New Era for Kenyan Football
Kenyan football is set to experience a major financial boost as the 2025/26 FKF Premier League season, now officially rebranded as the SportPesa League, kicks off this Friday.
For the first time in the league’s history, teams will compete for a KSh20 million prize fund, a move expected to significantly raise the level of competition and professionalism within the sport.
Under the new structure, the league champions will walk away with KSh15 million, a sharp increase from the KSh5 million previously awarded. The second-placed team will pocket KSh3 million, while the third-placed side takes home KSh2 million.
This unprecedented cash injection has been made possible through a partnership between the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and title sponsor SportPesa, each contributing half of the prize kitty.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed hailed the development as a turning point for Kenyan football, noting that the increased prize money would not only reward excellence on the pitch but also encourage clubs to invest more in their players, coaching, and infrastructure.
"For the first time, our champions will earn KSh15 million. This is only the beginning. Our target is to grow this figure to at least KSh50 million in the near future," he said.
After returning as a key partner, the new deal also marks SportPesa’s continued commitment to Kenyan football.
SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri, on his part, said the decision to increase the prize money was meant to inspire clubs and players to compete at the highest level.
"We're determined to make the SportPesa League highly competitive. Every player must feel they are striving for something meaningful, " said Karauri. "We had initially set aside KSh6 million, but after consultations with FKF, we agreed to double support. We now stand with the federation in committing KSh20 million to the top three teams."
The season will kick off with a blockbuster fixture at Nyayo National Stadium, where KCB FC will face Tusker FC. Several other matches are lined up over the weekend, promising fans a thrilling start to what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory.
For players and clubs alike, the stakes have never been higher. With millions on the line, the competition for the title promises to be intense. More importantly, the increased prize money is expected to translate into better training facilities, improved player welfare, and a professional environment that could finally help Kenya bridge the gap with top African footballing nations.
Tags: FKF SportPesa Premier League Hussein Mohammed SportPesa League Ronald Karauri Editor's Pick
