By Richard KimaroTanzania sports betting writer
Updated 4 November 2026
The NBC Premier League is Tanzania’s top football division, run by the Tanzania Premier League Board under the Tanzania Football Federation with sixteen clubs. Young Africans won the 2025/26 title, their fifth in a row, and the 2026/27 season kicked off on 14 August 2026. This guide covers the format, the title race and the Kariakoo derby between Simba and Yanga.
NBC Premier League key facts
- Organiser
- Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB)
- Sponsor
- NBC Bank
- Clubs
- 16, 240 matches
- 2026/27 start
- 14 August 2026
- Champions 2025/26
- Young Africans (Yanga), fifth in a row
- Big derby
- Kariakoo derby, Simba v Yanga
NBC Premier League table 2026/27
As at 4 November 2026.
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simba | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 6 | 17 | 30 |
| 2 | Young Africans | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 5 | 18 | 25 |
| 3 | Azam | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 23 |
| 4 | JKT Tanzania | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 14 | -1 | 17 |
| 5 | Dodoma Jiji | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 16 |
| 6 | Polisi Tanzania | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 15 |
| 7 | Namungo | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 15 | -3 | 15 |
| 8 | Mashujaa | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 15 | -4 | 15 |
| 9 | Singida BS | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 14 |
| 10 | Coastal Union | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 13 | -4 | 14 |
| 11 | Mbeya City | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 13 | -4 | 13 |
| 12 | TRA United | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 11 |
| 13 | Geita Gold | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 18 | -7 | 9 |
| 14 | Pamba Jiji | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 6 |
| 15 | Fountain Gate | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 | -10 | 6 |
| 16 | Kagera Sugar | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 22 | -13 | 6 |
Latest results
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 November 2026 | Simba | 3-2 | Namungo |
| 1 November 2026 | Young Africans | 4-0 | Kagera Sugar |
| 29 October 2026 | Fountain Gate | 0-1 | Simba |
| 27 October 2026 | Young Africans | 2-1 | Mashujaa |
| 24 October 2026 | Namungo | 2-1 | Coastal Union |
| 24 October 2026 | TRA United | 0-0 | Young Africans |
| 24 October 2026 | JKT Tanzania | 1-0 | Kagera Sugar |
| 23 October 2026 | Polisi Tanzania | 1-1 | Pamba Jiji |
| 18 October 2026 | JKT Tanzania | 2-1 | Mbeya City |
| 13 October 2026 | Simba | 6-1 | Mashujaa |
Next fixtures
| Date | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|
| 20 November 2026 | Polisi Tanzania | Young Africans |
| 20 November 2026 | Namungo | Mbeya City |
| 20 November 2026 | Azam | Singida BS |
| 21 November 2026 | Pamba Jiji | Coastal Union |
| 21 November 2026 | JKT Tanzania | Simba |
| 21 November 2026 | Dodoma Jiji | Fountain Gate |
| 22 November 2026 | Kagera Sugar | TRA United |
| 22 November 2026 | Geita Gold | Mashujaa |
How the NBC Premier League works
Sixteen clubs play each other home and away, thirty matches each and 240 in total. The bottom two are relegated automatically and the clubs in thirteenth and fourteenth place go into playoffs against sides from the division below. NBC Bank is the title sponsor and presented the 2025/26 trophy.
Champions and the 2026/27 title race
Young Africans won the 2025/26 NBC Premier League, their fifth straight title. Simba lead the 2026/27 table with 30 points from 10 games, all of them wins, the latest a 3-2 win over Namungo on 2 November. Young Africans are second with 25 points from 10 games; they lost the first league derby, drew 0-0 at TRA United on 24 October, beat Mashujaa 2-1 on 27 October and beat Kagera Sugar 4-0 at the KMC Complex on 1 November.
The Kariakoo derby
The Kariakoo derby takes its name from the Dar es Salaam neighbourhood where both clubs began: Young Africans in 1935 and Simba, first known as Queens and later Sunderland, in 1936. Simba’s 6-0 win in 1977 is still the biggest margin in the fixture. While stadiums are upgraded for AFCON 2027, both clubs chose Uhuru Stadium as their home ground for 2026/27 league matches, and the first league derby of the season was played there.
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10 October 2026 | League | Simba 2, Yanga 1 (Uhuru Stadium) |
| 12 August 2026 | Community Shield | Yanga 1, Simba 0 (Zanzibar) |
| 3 May 2026 | League | Yanga 2, Simba 2 |
Simba’s win on 10 October, with goals from Maema and Mpanzu after Shalulile had put Yanga ahead, was their first league win over Yanga since 16 April 2023. The return derby is listed for 6 February 2027, with Yanga at home.
Latest NBC Premier League news
-
Simba Edge Fountain Gate 1-0 as Rushine De Reuck Header Keeps Them Top
Simba SC continued their winning run in the NBC Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Fountain Gate…
-
Yanga Fight Back to Beat Mashujaa 2-1 in Dladla’s First Match in Charge
Young Africans came from behind to beat Mashujaa FC 2-1 in the NBC Premier League on Tuesday 27…
-
Young Africans Sack Manqoba Mngqithi After Simba Defeat and TRA United Draw
Young Africans SC have parted ways with head coach Manqoba Mngqithi and fitness coach Chyna Mokaila after a…
-
Polisi Tanzania 1-1 Pamba Jiji: Jabiri Penalty Takes Him to Seven Goals
Anuary Jabiri scored from the penalty spot to earn Polisi Tanzania a 1-1 draw with Pamba Jiji at…
-
Simba Beat Mashujaa 6-1 for an Eighth Win in a Row
Simba SC beat Mashujaa FC 6-1 on Tuesday 13 October to reach 24 points from eight matches in…
-
Simba Come From Behind to Beat Young Africans 2-1 and Go 3 Points Clear
Simba SC beat Young Africans SC 2-1 on 10 October in the NBC Premier League. Peter Shalulile scored…
-
Simba and Young Africans Meet With Six Wins Each in the NBC Premier League
Simba play Young Africans on 10 October with each side having played six NBC Premier League matches and…
-
Yanga and Simba Both Win by Two Goals to Nil in the NBC Premier League
Young Africans beat Fountain Gate by two goals to nil in Arusha and Simba beat Geita Gold by…
-
Yanga Open NBC Premier League Defence With Win at Namungo
Champions Yanga beat Namungo 3 to 1 at Majaliwa Stadium as the 2026/27 NBC Premier League opened, with…
NBC Premier League FAQ
Who won the NBC Premier League in 2025/26?
Young Africans (Yanga) won the 2025/26 NBC Premier League. It was their fifth Tanzanian league title in a row.
When is the next Kariakoo derby?
The next league meeting between Yanga and Simba is scheduled for 6 February 2027, with Yanga as hosts. Simba won the first league derby of the season 2-1 on 10 October 2026.
How many clubs are in the NBC Premier League?
Sixteen clubs play in the NBC Premier League, thirty matches each. The bottom two are relegated and two more clubs go into playoffs.
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