Sixteen first-division clubs will compete for a $3 million first prize when the Kashif and Shanghai knockout football tournament returns on December 13, 2026, ending an absence of approximately 11 years.
The invitational championship will be staged at Linden’s Mackenzie and Bayrock stadiums, with the final set for January 1, 2027, at Bayrock. Both venues are equipped with floodlights and other facilities to accommodate the tournament.
Competing under the theme “Destination Linden/Football means Business”, the teams will also pursue substantial rewards beyond the title. The runners-up will receive $1.5 million, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will earn $1 million and $500,000 respectively. All cash prizes are in Guyana dollars.
The tournament’s Most Valuable Player will receive a new motorcycle, while the leading goalscorer will collect $500,000.
Co-directors Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey “Shanghai” Major outlined the plans during Saturday’s media launch at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, where representatives of clubs invited from outside the Upper Demerara Football Association were also present.
Muhammad reflected on the competition’s beginnings in 1989 and stressed that the standards associated with the tournament would remain central to its return.
“We have always prided ourselves on upholding high standards and this has contributed to our success over the years,” he said.
Each participating club is scheduled to receive $150,000 to support its preparations. However, Muhammad said clubs that failed to attend Saturday’s launch would not receive the full amount, emphasising that punctuality and adherence to the organisers’ requirements were expected.
Clubs will be permitted to field three guest players, who must also be first-division footballers. Teams may recruit those players locally or from overseas.
Host association Upper Demerara will have eight representatives: Capitol FC, Topp XX, Eagles United, Milerock FC, PDEY Stars, Botofago FC, Aroaima United and Winners Connection.
Georgetown’s invited clubs are Rhythm Squad, Beacons FC and Pele FC. They will be joined by Pouderoyen FC of West Demerara, Timehri United of East Bank Demerara, Buxton Stars of East Demerara, Cougars of Berbice and Riversview of Bartica.
The team briefing and fixtures draw are scheduled for November 20, 2026.
Mackenzie Stadium will stage the opening match day on December 13, followed by matches on December 20, Christmas Day and December 29. Bayrock Stadium will host games on December 18, December 22 and Boxing Day before staging the New Year’s Day final.
Beyond the football, the organisers are preparing a programme of activities intended to attract visitors and create business opportunities across Linden.
Muhammad said discussions had already been held with local businesses about maintaining high service standards during the tournament. Hotels, restaurants, barbershops, salons, vendors, taxi operators and other service providers are being encouraged to prepare for the thousands of visitors organisers expect in the mining town.
A fitness walk is scheduled for Sunday, December 27, from 6:00 a.m., with the route still to be confirmed. Later that evening, the Mackenzie Stadium tarmac will host “Pan, Soca and Flavours”.
A tour of Linden’s historical sites is planned for Wednesday, December 30, while an after-football show at the Bayrock Stadium tarmac will follow the final on January 1.
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