FA Announces 2025/26 GPL Fixtures: Champions Gold Stars Open Defence as Volta Derby and Regional Battles Headline Season

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially announced the full schedule for the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season, giving fans, clubs, and pundits a detailed look at the fixtures set to shape the campaign ahead.

Gold Stars FC, the reigning champions, will kick off their title defence with a home encounter against Bechem United at the Duns Park in Bibiani. The match will serve as the opening act for what promises to be a competitive and unpredictable league season.

In Accra, Hearts of Oak will launch their campaign on familiar ground, hosting Hohoe United, a side returning to the top flight. The Phobians are hoping for a strong start to bounce back from a turbulent 2024/25 season.

Rivals Asante Kotoko face a tougher opening assignment on the road against Berekum Chelsea, a team that has historically caused problems for the Porcupine Warriors at home.

Other opening day matchups include a trip for Medeama SC to face Young Apostles, and FC Samartex hitting the road to meet Vision FC. Meanwhile, newly promoted sides Swedru All Blacks and Eleven Wonders will start their seasons away from home, playing against Nations FC and Basake Holy Stars, respectively.

Heart of Lions, who narrowly missed out on the title last season, begin with a home tie against Dreams FC, while Karela United square off with Aduana FC at home.

Among the season’s headline clashes, the highly anticipated showdown between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko will be held on Match Day 5 in Accra, with the reverse fixture scheduled for Match Day 22 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Another major highlight is the revival of the Volta Derby, as Hohoe United host Heart of Lions on Match Day 17, with the return fixture to be played on Match Day 34 in Kpando — a dramatic finale to the regular season.

The schedule also features a series of intense Brong Ahafo regional derbies. Young Apostles will take on Bechem United on Match Day 5, Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 7, and Aduana FC on Match Day 16. The return fixtures are set for Match Days 22, 24, and 33. Elsewhere, Aduana FC will clash with Bechem United on Match Day 9 and Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 11.

Bechem United will meet Eleven Wonders on Match Day 14 before going head-to-head with Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 17, while Berekum Chelsea will host Eleven Wonders in Match Day 16 action.

In the Western corridor, local rivalries heat up as Medeama SC host FC Samartex on Match Day 6, with the return leg on Match Day 23. Basake Holy Stars will visit Medeama on Match Day 32, having hosted them earlier on Match Day 15. FC Samartex will also play Basake Holy Stars away on Match Day 14, with the second leg scheduled for Match Day 31, forming a full Western Derby narrative.

The league will officially commence on the weekend of September 12, 2025, and wrap up on the weekend of May 23/24, 2026, providing a clean window before the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off in June.

The fixture schedule is built to align with FIFA’s global calendar, and with GFA Congress set for August 12, the Premier League is expected to begin promptly. Like last season, weekend matches will be standard, while midweek dates are reserved for outstanding or rescheduled games.

This new season offers more than just football—it rekindles regional rivalries, brings fresh faces into the spotlight, and sets the stage for a highly competitive chase for the title. Fans across Ghana now have their calendars marked, their jerseys ready, and their rivalries reignited.