With just 39 days remaining before the start of the 2026/27 Vodacom Premier League (VPL) season, excitement is building after the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) circulated the draft opening-round fixtures to clubs ahead of the new campaign.
The new season is scheduled to kick off on August 22, marking an earlier start than in recent years. While clubs have already received the draft fixtures, the PLMC is yet to release them officially to the public, with match venues expected to be confirmed closer to the start of the season.
Supporters can, however, look forward to an exciting start to the campaign, with several heavyweight clashes involving the country’s traditional giants scheduled within the opening three rounds.
Newly promoted Summit FC and Mzamane FC will also be eager to prove they belong among the elite after securing promotion from the A Division. The league has cautioned clubs that the fixture list remains provisional.
“The fixtures are subject to change due to several reasons, including adjustments to the FIFA, COSAFA and CAF calendars,” the PLMC said.
“They may also change due to adverse weather conditions, cup competitions, requests from clubs for fixture changes in accordance with regulations, referees’ fitness tests, while all catch-up games will be scheduled for midweek.”
Defending champions Lijabatho begin the defence of their historic maiden league title at home against returning side Machokha before facing a tricky away assignment against Majantja, who impressed with a fifth-place finish last season. They then return home to host Manonyane.
Having two home fixtures in their opening three matches should suit coach Kabelo Malapane, who will be hoping to maintain the momentum that carried Lijabatho to last season’s title while also preparing his side for its maiden CAF Champions League campaign. The away trip to Majantja is nevertheless expected to provide an early examination of the champions’ credentials.
Last season’s third-placed finishers, Bantu, appear to have received one of the more favourable starts among the title hopefuls. A home clash against newcomers Summit is followed by an away fixture against LCS before they welcome LDF in Week Three.
Bantu head into the new season brimming with confidence after defeating Matlama 2-1 to lift the King’s Birthday Cup last week, and coach James Madidilane will be hoping his side capitalises on a favourable opening run as they seek to mount another title challenge.
Matlama, who enjoyed an impressive resurgence under coach Thabile Secker to finish strongly last season, face one of the toughest opening schedules. Tse Putsoa open away to LDF before hosting LMPS and then travelling to face last season’s runners-up, Lifofane.
With two away fixtures in their opening three matches, Matlama will have little margin for error, particularly against a Lifofane side they failed to beat in either meeting last season. Lifofane claimed a convincing 3-0 victory in the first-round meeting before the reverse fixture ended goalless.
Former champions Lioli begin a new era under newly appointed coach Blessing ‘Bro B’ Moyo. Their campaign starts away to Limkokwing before they host rivals Linare in one of the standout fixtures of the opening month. They then travel to face promoted side Mzamane.
The highly anticipated clash against Linare is expected to attract significant attention as supporters get their first glimpse of Lioli’s rebuilding project under Moyo.
Linare themselves begin at home against Mzamane before travelling to Lioli and returning home to host Machokha.
LDF launch their season with a heavyweight clash against Matlama before travelling to Members and then visiting Bantu, giving them two demanding encounters against likely title contenders in their opening three matches.
Last season’s runners-up, Lifofane, begin at home against Majantja before travelling to Manonyane and hosting Matlama in what promises to be one of the biggest fixtures of the opening month.
As part of their preparations for the new campaign, Lifofane will also host South African giants Kaizer Chiefs FC on August 2 in a high-profile friendly encounter.
Meanwhile, Limkokwing, now under recently appointed coach Letlatsa Mampe, face an equally challenging start with fixtures against Lioli, Machokha and Majantja.
LMPS host Manonyane before travelling to Matlama and then welcoming Members, while LCS begin with a home fixture against Members before facing Bantu and travelling to newly promoted Summit.
Majantja arguably have one of the toughest starts, opening away to Lifofane before hosting defending champions Lijabatho and then travelling to Limkokwing.
Manonyane also face a difficult schedule, beginning away at LMPS before hosting Lifofane and travelling to champions Lijabatho.
Promoted side Mzamane begin away to Linare before hosting fellow newcomers Summit and then entertaining former champions Lioli.
Machokha’s return to the Premier League starts with arguably the toughest assignment possible, an away fixture against defending champions Lijabatho, before hosting Limkokwing and travelling to Linare.
Summit, meanwhile, face a baptism of fire as they begin away to Bantu before meeting fellow newcomers Mzamane in what promises to be a fascinating battle between the promoted sides. Their first home Premier League fixture comes against LCS in Week Three.
Members, who narrowly escaped relegation on the final day of last season, begin away to LCS before hosting LDF and travelling to LMPS.
Summary
- While clubs have already received the draft fixtures, the PLMC is yet to release them officially to the public, with match venues expected to be confirmed closer to the start of the season.
- Bantu head into the new season brimming with confidence after defeating Matlama 2-1 to lift the King’s Birthday Cup last week, and coach James Madidilane will be hoping his side capitalises on a favourable opening run as they seek to mount another title challenge.
- Last season’s runners-up, Lifofane, begin at home against Majantja before travelling to Manonyane and hosting Matlama in what promises to be one of the biggest fixtures of the opening month.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
