The 2026/27 MTN FA Cup promises a historic twist, with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) introducing a two-legged final for the first time in Ghanaian domestic football as the road to the trophy begins on October 23.
The landmark announcement was made during the preliminary-round draw held at the GFA headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, where clubs from the lower divisions discovered their opponents for the opening stage of the competition.
The new final format will see the first leg played between June 5 and 7, 2027, with the return leg scheduled for June 12–13. According to Frank Nelson of the FA Cup Committee, the initiative will be introduced on a pilot basis, giving both finalists the opportunity to host a major cup fixture before their home supporters.
“The two-legged final is a pilot project; however, if it works, it goes on,” he said, stressing the importance of community participation in this year’s competition.
The draw, attended by football administrators, club representatives and the media, grouped participating clubs into 10 zones, setting the stage for a series of potentially exciting regional rivalries. Among the standout preliminary-round fixtures are Victory Club Warriors FC against Eleven Wonders FC, Real Tamale United versus Yapei United, Okwawu United against Kotoku Royals, Great Olympics versus MSK Zilina Africa FC, and Golden Kick SC against Attram De Visser.
Accra Lions FC will also face John Paintsil FC, while Tamale City FC take on Wa Power SC in another attractive northern-zone encounter. The pairings are expected to generate considerable interest among supporters and provide a platform for emerging talents to make their mark.
The preliminary round involves lower-division clubs competing for places in the Round of 64, where the 18 Ghana Premier League sides will join the contest. The competition will then progress through the Round of 32, quarter-finals and semi-finals before culminating in the historic two-legged final next June.
This year’s campaign is being promoted under the theme “My MTN FA Cup, My Community,” with organisers encouraging chiefs, traditional authorities and residents to rally behind their local clubs and help create an exciting but peaceful tournament.
The FA Cup, which dates back to 1958, has long provided opportunities for clubs outside the traditional elite to challenge established football giants. MTN Ghana became headline sponsor ahead of the 2010/11 season, when Nania FC defeated Asante Kotoko 1–0 in the final, ushering in a new era for the competition.
The sponsorship continues to provide a national platform for local football talent, while the winning club earns the opportunity to represent Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup, subject to the applicable qualification requirements.
Nations FC enter the new campaign as defending champions after defeating Dreams FC on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time in last season’s final.
With community pride, local rivalries and the prospect of a new final format adding to the excitement, the 2026/27 MTN FA Cup promises another compelling journey towards the country’s coveted knockout trophy.
