The stage is officially set for East Africa’s ultimate club showdown! The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has released the highly anticipated fixtures for the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, scheduled to ignite Rwanda from 24th July to 7th August, 2026.
With 12 regional powerhouses battling it out across the pristine pitches of the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium and the lively Kigali Pele Stadium, this year’s tournament promises to serve as the perfect high-octane dress rehearsal for the upcoming 2026/2027 CAF inter-club competitions.
Here is everything you need to know about the blockbusting matchups, the groups, and the opening weekend schedule!
The official draw held Friday in Kigali threw together some mouthwatering regional rivalries, dividing the 12 contenders into three highly competitive groups of four.
Group A (The Group of Death): Host giants APR FC (Rwanda) are paired alongside Ugandan heavyweights Vipers SC, Kenyan kings Gor Mahia FC, and Djibouti’s gritty Garde Republicaine. Expect fireworks here from day one.
Group B (The Heavy Hitters): Six-time regional champions Simba SC (Tanzania) headline this group alongside the defending champions Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania), South Sudan’s rising force Jamus SC, and Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club.
Group C (The Tactical Battleground): Sudan giants Al Hilal SC find themselves in a fascinating pool alongside Rwanda’s fan-favorites Rayon Sports FC, Kenya’s late entrants Tusker FC, and Zanzibar’s tricky KVZ SC.
Fans won’t have to wait for the drama to build. The tournament kicks off on Friday, 24th July, with a massive double-header at the Amahoro Stadium that sets a thrilling tone for the competition.
24 July, Vipers SC vs Garde Republicaine, Amahoro Stadium 15:00 EAT
24 July, APR FC vs Gor Mahia FC, Amahoro Stadium, 19:00 EAT
25 July, Singida Black Stars vs Jamus FC, Kigali Pele Stadium, 15:00 EAT
25 July, Simba SC vs Mogadishu C. Club, Kigali Pele Stadium, 18:00 EAT
26 July, Al Hilal SC vs Tusker FC, Amahoro Stadium 15:00 EAT
26 July, Rayon Sport FC vs KVZ SC, Amahoro Stadium 18:00 EAT
The Full CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 Fixtures and road map
The Tournament Roadmap & Prize Money
The stakes are higher than ever, not just for regional bragging rights but for cold, hard cash. A total prize kitty of US$60,000 (courtesy of Al Hilal and long-term CECAFA patron, Rwanda President Paul Kagame and) is up for grabs:
Champions: US$30,000
Runners-up: US$20,000
Third Place: US$10,000
The Qualification Rule: To reach the knockout stages, teams must finish top of their respective groups. Only the three group winners and the single best runner-up across all three groups will secure a ticket to the Semi-Finals on 4th August at the Kigali Pele Stadium.
The grand finale and the third-place playoff will take place on Friday, 7th August at the iconic Amahoro Stadium to crown the undisputed kings of East African club football.
