Premier League expansion: A double-edged sword
Mqondisi Dube | Friday July 3, 2026 10:00
An expanded league promises a wider platform for players and a wider pool. Increasing the number of top-flight teams has the potential to help bring more players into professional structures and expose them to higher levels of competition.
Expansion could also enhance representation across the country, with even smaller towns and other emerging regions gaining greater visibility in the Premier League. New entrants could also inject fresh energy into the competition, creating new rivalries and adding a new dimension to the contest.
It could potentially bring clubs from marginalised regions such as the Kgalagadi and North West, which have struggled to have representation in the top flight. Sankoyo Bush Bucks’ presence in the Premier League from 2014 to 2019 was breath of fresh air.
However, these potential benefits are increasingly overshadowed by the league’s financial realities. The proposal comes at a time when many FNB Premiership clubs are struggling to remain financially stable amid rising operational costs and limited sponsorship growth. Reports of delayed salaries and strained budgets have become common, with some clubs already battling to meet basic obligations such as player wages.
The league’s shareholders will be tasked with applying their minds when they make a potentially game-changing decision.
They have to think carefully about this shift because expanding the league risks stretching already limited resources even further. FNB remains the only major sponsor following the departure of Mascom, which was bankrolling the Top 8. Without a corresponding increase in revenue from commercial partnerships, the financial pie would now be divided amongst more clubs. This could deepen existing struggles, placing additional pressure on teams that are already operating on the margins. There are also concerns around infrastructure and logistics, with the BFL often facing the headache of fixtures and venues.
The Gaborone United Stadium became the saviour as venue challenges dogged the Premiership. Increasing the number of teams would therefore place further strain on stadium availability and maintenance. Travel costs could also rise, particularly for clubs with limited budgets, adding another financial burden.
The move could potentially widen the gap between well-resourced clubs and those fighting for survival.
That gap already exists, where mostly newly promoted and less resourced clubs have often struggled to stay afloat.
This could lead to a league increasingly defined by inequality, where a handful of teams dominate while newer or less financially stable sides struggle to compete.
As the 16 club leaders put their heads together, they must appreciate the realities on the ground. For expansion to succeed, it would need to be accompanied by serious reforms. These include stronger commercial partnerships; otherwise, expansion risks becoming a symbolic gesture rather than a sustainable development strategy.
The increase in teams should be tied to financial readiness rather than fixed numbers alone. There should be capacity, rather than just willingness, to increase the numbers.
For instance, South Africa has managed to draw from a pool of 16 teams, in a country with a population of more than 60 million. Whilst the vision of a larger, more inclusive league could be appealing, it must be weighed against the harsh economic realities facing many clubs.
‘Is bigger always better?’ is the question that the Botswana Football League will grapple with when its 16 shareholders converge at Lekidi Centre next Saturday, writes MQONDISI DUBE