After recently deciding on the cities of Adama and Dire Dawa as host of its ongoing 2024/25 season, games may still be staged in the capital Addis Ababa for the later stages of the 2024/25 season according to sources close to the Ethiopian Premier League Share Company.
The League Company, which is entrusted to manage the top flight in Ethiopia, opted to host games in Dire Dawa and Adama. Addis Ababa was previously a candidate but due to unknown reasons games are being played in Adama.
League company general manager Kifle Seife told Ethiopian Reporter that they are trying to make Addis Ababa a host venue for the upcoming weeks but Seife said he does not know when the time will come for the stadium to host games. He asserted that clubs are losing revenue in ticket sales and if games are moved back to Addis some clubs might increase their income.
It has been common for Premier League matches to be played in empty stadiums as they have failed to attract huge crowds in recent times. This prompted previous TV rights holder SuperSport to stay quiet on a potential contract renewal.
The League Company has been in discussion with the Ministry of Culture and Sport on the possibility of brining games back to the Addis Ababa Stadium. Some sources close to the matter said the league needs the willingness of the government to stage games in Addis Ababa.
Popular Addis Ababa clubs like Ethiopian Coffee and Saint George are among the badly affected sides following a loss in income from ticket sales. Ethiopian Coffee chairman Lieutenant Fekade Mamo previously stated his club is struggling to maximize revenue due to the games being played outside of Addis Ababa. It has been four years since the old Addis Ababa Stadium ground hosted league ties.
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