THE Premier League’s most anticipated fixture, the Dar es Salaam Derby between Young Africans SC (Yanga) and Simba SC, will be staged at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar on March 1, 2026, in a move that adds fresh intrigue to the title race.

The decision was confirmed by Young Africans’ information officer, Ally Kamwe, with the club set to host the first round encounter away from their traditional Dar es Salaam base. The match will kick off at 8:15pm under the lights at the 15,000-seater venue. 

Kamwe made the announcement shortly after Young Africans’ emphatic 3-0 victory over JS Kabylie in their final CAF Champions League Group B fixture. Despite the convincing win, Young Africans narrowly missed out on a quarter final place after finishing third in the group with eight points. 

Taking to Instagram, Kamwe wrote: “Our Mainland Premier League match on March 1, 2026 against Simba SC, the Kariakoo Derby, will be played at the New Amaan Complex at 8:15pm. You are all welcome.” 

The announcement signals a significant shift from the revised fixture list earlier published by the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) on November 17, 2025. Under that schedule, match number 54 was set to be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam at 5:00pm. However, Young Africans have exercised their right as hosts to relocate the high stakes encounter to Zanzibar. 

Originally, when the 2025/26 season calendar was unveiled on August 29, 2025, the derby had been penciled in for December 13, 2025. It was later postponed to March 1, 2026 to accommodate Taifa Stars’ participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The tournament, held from December 22, 2025 to January 18, 2026, concluded with Senegal lifting the trophy following a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in the final.

By taking the derby to Zanzibar, Young Africans appear to be building on a growing affinity with the New Amaan Complex. The club used the venue last season for their final league match against Dodoma Jiji, marking the end of their domestic campaign. This season, the stadium has also served as Young Africans’ home ground for their CAF Champions League Group B matches.

The decision proved fruitful on the continental stage. Young Africans maintained an unbeaten home record in Zanzibar, securing victories over AS FAR (1-0) and JS Kabylie (3-0), while holding Al Ahly to a 1-1 draw. The positive results have strengthened the club’s confidence in the venue, both in terms of performance and fan support.

Domestically, however, Young Africans have primarily used the KMC Complex in Mwenge, Dar es Salaam for their home matches in the Premier League this season. The move to Zanzibar for the derby therefore represents both a strategic and symbolic choice. 

The derby remains the biggest fixture in Tanzanian football, routinely drawing massive crowds and commanding national attention. Shifting the match to Zanzibar could offer logistical advantages, fresh commercial opportunities and an expanded fan experience, while also testing Simba in a setting where Young Africans have recently thrived. 

For Simba, the venue change adds another layer of complexity to a match already charged with rivalry and title implications. The Msimbazi Street giants will now have to prepare for a hostile environment outside their traditional Dar es Salaam battleground, as Young Africans aim to capitalize on their strong record at the island venue. 

With the league entering a decisive phase, the March 1 showdown is expected to have significant ramifications in the championship race. Both sides are likely to approach the contest with heightened urgency, particularly after demanding continental campaigns.