E500k ‘Y’ello’ increase!

EZULWINI — There is more to fight for this season!

That is for the MTN Premier League 2026/27 season, which kicks off this weekend. The first fixtures of the new campaign will be played on Saturday and Sunday. The grand opening ceremony will also take place on Saturday at Somhlolo National Stadium.

Yesterday, Premier League title sponsors MTN Eswatini launched the new term, giving it the thumbs-up to get the ball rolling. This was unveiled by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jerry Soko at the Mahlalekhukhwini House, in an event attended by representatives from the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) and various club officials, which culminated in the release of the new season’s prize breakdown.

According to the prize breakdown, increases have been applied across nearly all categories. The champions will pocket E1 185 000 at the end of the season, which is up from the E1.1 million banked by Nsingizini Hotspurs last term.

However, a club could earn even more should they replicate Hotspurs’ feat by also capturing the first round incentive. The first round ‘carrot’ has been increased from E120 000 to E130 000, meaning a double-winning side will rake in a combined E1 315 000.

Furthermore, the runners-up prize has received a major boost, with an extra E30 000 added. Up to E20 000 has been added to the bronze medallists’ prize.

In the individual awards, the Player of the Month prize now stands at E8 000, automatically thrusting winners into the race for the Player of the Season accolade, which has risen from E17 000 to E18 000. Manzini Sea Birds’ Philani ‘Mkasabuli’ Mkhonto enters the new season as the reigning holder of that prestigious gong.

Worth noting is that the overall MTN Premier League package is now worth E7.5 million, representing a E500 000 increase from the previous season’s purse.

MTN CEO Soko said they always believe that anything that brings emaSwati together is worth investing in.

“We invest in what connects us, what inspires us and what strengthens our sense of community. Soccer does exactly that,” Soko said yesterday. He noted that this partnership stands as one of the longest-standing corporate sports sponsorships in the country, now spanning 24 years.

“We have watched young players become national heroes, and communities rally behind their clubs. We have seen football become a source of livelihood for families, vendors, transport operators and small businesses,” Soko added.

The sponsors emphasised that their focus extends beyond simply growing football participation.

On another note, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Meshack Maseko said soccer remains one of the most powerful platforms for connecting emaSwati.

“At MTN, our role is not only to sponsor the game, but to continuously enhance how fans experience it. Every season, we challenge ourselves to bring supporters closer to the football they love,” Maseko said.

Meanwhile, PLE Chairman Polycarp Dlamini acknowledged that the league may face a couple of challenges stemming from the precarious state of affairs surrounding some of the league’s oldest and most supported clubs.

“It is such challenges that give us sleepless nights, as they directly or indirectly impact our league. We are hopeful that the PLE executive, with assistance from the EFA, will deal with those issues amicably without affecting the progress of the league,” Dlamini said.

He further expressed belief in a peaceful and competitive season, noting that the E7.5 million total package will surely motivate clubs to bring their ‘A’ games.

On another note, PLE CEO Pat Vilakati said tickets for the opening games will remain sold at the same pricing schedule as the previous season, despite a resolution at the annual general meeting (AGM) to increase the fees by E10.

Vilakati said they are still working on the logistics and will announce the changes once everything has been finalised. He said they understand that fans need to prepare themselves for adjustments.

Entrance fees at all MTN Premier League matches stood at E30 for a category ‘B’ or higher single match and a minimum of E50 for a category ‘A’ single header.

Prize breakdown;