Eight stadiums selected to host Congo's Illicocash Ligue 1 championship (2026-2027)

The Congolese Football Association (FECOFA) has announced the eight stadiums that will host the Illicocash Ligue 1 national championship for the 2026-2027 season.

The selection includes the iconic Tata Raphaël stadium in Kinshasa, a traditional venue for major Congolese football events. The city of Lubumbashi will feature two approved stadiums: Stade TP Mazembe and Stade Frédéric-Kibassa-Maliba. In the eastern part of the country, Kindu and Kalemie will each use the Stade Joseph-Kabila, boosting high-level football in those regions. Kisangani will host matches at the Stade Patrice-Emery-Lumumba, while Kolwezi will rely on Stade Dominique-Diur for its participating clubs. The city of Likasi completes the list with Stade Père-Augustin-Kikula.

However, clubs from the Grand Kasaï region will face significant challenges, as their local stadiums are not approved for the league. The Kashala-Bonzola stadium in Mbuji-Mayi is in a state of advanced disrepair, and the Stade des Jeunes in Kananga remains under construction. This means teams from this area will have to play their home games away from their home bases.

Football fans are now eagerly anticipating the start of the 2026-2027 season, which promises competitive matches and a new opportunity for clubs to showcase their talent on Congolese pitches. The chosen stadiums represent a mix of historic grounds and facilities in various regions, aiming to spread the excitement of the top-tier league across the country.