The Rwanda Premier League has confirmed that two trophies will be awarded at the end of the 2025/26 BK Pro League season. One trophy will recognize the overall league champion, while another known as the “Champions d’Honneur” will go to the best-performing Rwandan club.
The decision comes as the league enters its final four rounds and follows the inclusion of Sudanese clubs Al-Hilal SC and Al-Merrikh in Rwanda’s top-flight competition.
Sponsorship Deal and League Rebranding
The competition was recently rebranded as the BK Pro League after the Rwanda Premier League signed a five-and-a-half-year sponsorship agreement with Bank of Kigali.
The sponsorship marks a major commercial step for Rwandan football and has increased attention on the league both locally and internationally.
Debate Over Sudanese Clubs’ Participation
Football fans have continued debating whether a Rwandan club should receive a championship trophy even if it does not finish first overall. The discussion intensified because Sudanese giants Al‑Hilal SC and Al‑Merrikh joined the Rwandan league after Sudan’s domestic competition was suspended.
At the moment, Al-Hilal tops the standings with 67 points, while Al-Merrikh sits second with 58 points. APR FC is currently the highest-ranked Rwandan side in third place with 56 points, followed by Rayon Sports with 48 points after 30 matches.
League Officials Defend the Decision
BK Pro League CEO Jules Karangwa clarified that the rules have not changed and confirmed that both trophies will be awarded as planned.
League chairman Mudaheranwa Hadji Youssuf also stressed that the Sudanese clubs are only participating in the competition and will not receive extra advantages beyond taking part in league matches.
The Rwandan league also maintains its regulation limiting clubs to a maximum of eight foreign players per match, although this restriction does not apply to the Sudanese teams.
APR FC and Rayon Sports Still Chasing Glory
With only a few matches remaining, APR FC still has a chance to secure its seventh consecutive league title if it wins its remaining fixtures. Rayon Sports must defeat Marine FC and AS Kigali to remain in contention.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh are expected to send several of their top players back to Sudan ahead of playoff matches scheduled to begin on May 15.
A similar situation happened during the 2024/25 season in Mauritania, where Al-Hilal finished first and lifted the league trophy, while FC Nouadhibou also received a cup despite placing second.
