Premier League (Ethiopia) 2026/27

The Premier League stands as the highest level of professional football in Ethiopia. Operating at Level 1 of the national pyramid, it is organized by the Ethiopian Football Federation. While its origins trace back to 1944 as the Ethiopian Championship, the competition was restructured into its current format in 1997. The season involves participating clubs playing a double round-robin schedule, meaning each team faces every other side twice over the course of 38 matches. Success in this league carries significant weight regarding national status. Saint George S.C. holds the record for the most titles in the competition’s history with 31 victories, spanning both the First Division and Premier League eras. For the most recent completed season, Ethiopian Insurance Corporation SA secured the championship with 73 points. Individual performances have also set benchmarks, such as Getaneh Kebede’s 25-goal season in 2016–17. The structure includes strict promotion and relegation rules to maintain competitive balance. The bottom three teams drop down to the Ethiopian Higher League, which operates at Level 2. These spots are filled by the top three finishers from that lower tier. This system ensures a clear pathway between the first and second divisions. The league is distinct from other domestic competitions like the Ethiopian Cup and the irregular Ethiopian Super Cup, which was last held in 2019. Unlike some regional leagues, the Ethiopian Premier League is recognized as the primary football competition in the country.