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KHU announces leagues kick off date and new safety measures for 2026 season
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 04.05.26. | 15:31
In a communication to stakeholders, Secretary General Wycliffe Ongori confirmed that the Premier League fixtures are now complete, with schedules for the remaining leagues to be released shortly
The Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) has set Saturday, 23 May 2026, as the official start date for the new domestic hockey season, ushering in a coordinated rollout of competitions across the men’s and women’s Premier League, the Super League, and the men’s National League.
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In a communication to stakeholders, Secretary General Wycliffe Ongori confirmed that the Premier League fixtures are now complete, with schedules for the remaining leagues to be released shortly.
The delay in publishing the fixtures, he explained, followed extensive consultations involving key stakeholders, a process aimed at aligning logistical, technical, and operational aspects of the competitions ahead of the new campaign.
The decision to have all leagues kick off on the same date is a calculated move intended to give teams sufficient time to prepare, particularly in adapting to the venues designated for competition.
Central to this year’s planning is the Union’s emphasis on maintaining the quality and integrity of the game through strict adherence to approved playing surfaces.
All Premier League and Super League matches have been aligned to a curated list of recommended hockey pitches across the country, a measure designed to uphold performance standards while ensuring consistency in match conditions.
These venues span key hockey regions, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and parts of Western Kenya, reflecting a deliberate attempt to balance accessibility with quality infrastructure.
By anchoring fixtures to facilities that meet required standards, the Union is not only safeguarding the technical level of play but also addressing long-standing concerns around uneven playing surfaces and their impact on competition outcomes.
The 2026 season calendar also reflects a more refined scheduling approach, particularly with the separation of the Men’s Premier League fixtures from the Masters Tournament set to take place in Mombasa.
This move is expected to reduce fixture congestion while simultaneously supporting the growth of the Masters category, which the Union views as an important segment of the sport’s development pathway.
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By giving the Masters competition its own space within the calendar, KHU is working toward its eventual operational independence.
Player welfare has also featured prominently in the Union’s pre-season directives. Among the key guidelines issued is the mandatory wearing of face masks during penalty corner situations, a safety measure aligned with international best practices, given the high-risk nature of such set pieces.
The directive underscores the Union's broader commitment to prioritise athlete safety without compromising the game's competitive edge.
Stakeholders have been urged to review the released fixtures and provide feedback within the stipulated timeline to allow for any necessary adjustments before the season gets underway.
This consultative window is part of a broader governance approach that seeks to enhance transparency and inclusivity in decision-making processes.
As teams enter the final phase of their preparations, including securing training venues and finalising logistical arrangements, the focus now shifts to execution.
The structured planning, emphasis on standardised venues, and introduction of enhanced safety protocols collectively point to a season that KHU hopes will set a new benchmark for domestic hockey in Kenya.
With the countdown to Saturday, 23 May, underway, attention will soon turn from boardroom planning to on-field action, where clubs across all tiers will be looking to translate preparation into performance in what promises to be a highly competitive 2026 campaign.