Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda langton.nyakwenda@zimpapers .co.zw
Crowds are returning to Zimbabwe’s top-flight football, with the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) recording a significant rise in attendance this season.
According to the PSL, 457,409 supporters have paid to watch league matches at this stage of the campaign, up from 399,520 during the corresponding period last season — an increase of about 14 percent.
The 2026 season has also witnessed some record crowds at big matches such as the Battle of Zimbabwe which features traditional football powerhouses Dynamos and Highlanders.
When Bosso hosted DeMbare at Barbourfields on June 21, a bumper crowd of 15 000 watched the blockbuster clash.
An even stronger crowd of 25,000, watched the Harare Debry between CAPS United and Dynamos at Rufaro on May 10.
The emergence of professionally sound teams like defending champions Scottland and Hardrock has also added some flavour to the league.
Matches at Chahwanda, including Sunday’s 3-3 draw between hosts Hardrock and CAPS United lived up to its billing as the Kwekwe venue was packed.
With 13 rounds of fixtures still to be played, the attendance figures are expected to climb even higher as the title race gathers momentum.
The increase has been fuelled by a combination of entertaining football, the return of high-profile players and improved marketing initiatives by both the league and clubs.
Supporters have been treated to several thrilling encounters this season, including Hardrock’s dramatic 3-3 draw with CAPS United at Chahwanda, Dynamos’ 4-0 victory over Agama, Ngezi Platinum Stars’ 3-2 win over Chicken Inn at Baobab Stadium and Scottland’s 2-0 triumph over CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium.
Other memorable fixtures include Scottland’s 5-0 demolition of Manica Diamonds at Rufaro Stadium, Hardrock’s 6-1 rout of FC Hunters, Highlanders’ 3-1 win over Chicken Inn at Barbourfields and Hardrock’s 4-1 victory over Herentals.
The first Battle of Zimbabwe of the season also lived up to expectations, with Dynamos and Highlanders playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Rufaro Stadium, a match that also marked Mongameli Tshuma’s breakthrough performance on the big stage.
Players such as Highlanders’ Tshuma have brought fresh excitement to the league alongside established stars including the Scottland duo Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat, Dynamos winger Leeroy Mavhunga and FC
Platinum’s Garikai Dematsika.
The influx of foreign talent has also enhanced the quality of the competition.
Players such as Kwakhe Twala (Scottland), Nelisa “Tiger” Dhlamini (Hardrock), Moses Shidolo (Scottland), Frank
Agmeyang (Dynamos) and Dawid Ndeunyema (MWOS) have all made strong impressions since arriving from countries including Eswatini and Namibia.
PSL marketing manager Kudzai Bare attributed the attendance growth to the improving standard of football.
“The league has become more competitive, with teams consistently producing high-quality football and closely contested matches that have made the competition more exciting for supporters,” said Bare.
Bare also credited the return of established stars and stronger promotional efforts.
“The return and presence of high-profile players has further enhanced the appeal of the league.
“There have also been intensified efforts to market and promote fixtures, while clubs have strengthened engagement with their supporters through various initiatives aimed at bringing fans closer to the game,” added Bare.
Several members of Zimbabwe’s squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are now playing in the domestic league, further boosting its profile.
Knowledge Musona, Gerald Takwara, Washington Arubi, Prince Dube, Emmanuel Jalai and Washington Navaya are all plying their trade in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Former Soccer Star of the Year Cephas Chimedza believes established names continue to be the biggest attraction.
“Fans are drawn to the stadia more by your Musonas or Billiats than your new and younger players,” said Chimedza.
Former PSL chairman and CAPS United president Farai Jere has long argued that the league thrives when Zimbabwe’s traditional giants — Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United — are competitive.
“It’s no secret these three teams have the biggest support base in the country. When they are doing well, their fans flock to the stadium.
“If Dynamos catches a cold, the whole league sneezes.”
His argument is supported by this season’s standings.
CAPS United are fifth on the table with 35 points, 10 more than they had at the same stage last season, while
Dynamos are sixth with 34 points, having collected just 15 points after the same number of matches in 2025.
Highlanders sit seventh with 33 points, six more than they had at this stage last season, while Scottland lead the championship race.
With the title battle still open and attendances continuing to rise, the PSL appears to be enjoying one of its most vibrant seasons in recent years.
