The road to Africa’s premier off-season football celebration has officially moved onto the global stage.
The Business African Consulting Group (The BAC Group) has launched its international engagement tour, beginning a high-profile journey across Europe to rally support for the 2026 All-Star Festival.
Led by Chief Executive Dr Ernest Koranteng, the delegation’s first stop brought them to the King Power Stadium in England.
The timing proved impeccable, as they witnessed Ghana international Abdul Fatawu Issahaku net a decisive winner for Leicester City in their 2–1 victory over Bristol City.
The BAC Group returned to the King Power Stadium on Saturday, 14 March, to support a Ghanaian double act: Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew and the in-form Issahaku in a fixture that serves as a vital touchpoint for the festival’s organisers to connect with Africa’s top talent.
The UK visit is merely the opening chapter. To ensure the 2026 edition remains the continent’s flagship off-season event, the tour will proceed through Italy, France, Turkey, and Spain, as well as other major European football hubs.
While the All-Star Festival traditionally takes place in June, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has prompted a strategic shift.
To ensure fans and players can fully immerse themselves in both spectacles, organisers have confirmed that this year’s festival will move to July.
“Our Global Engagement Tour allows us to connect directly with African footballers and strengthen the vision behind The All-Star Festival,” explained Dr Ernest Koranteng. “Because of the World Cup calendar, this year’s edition will take place after the Mundial.”
Since its 2022 debut in Accra, the festival has brought world-class football to Brong Ahafo in 2023 and Tamale in 2024, before returning to the capital in 2025.
Speculation is now mounting over the 2026 host city. While The BAC Group remains tight-lipped on the specific location, they have promised another “historic” venue that will surprise the African football ecosystem.
“We look forward to announcing a host community that will once again excite the entire African football ecosystem,” Dr Koranteng concluded.
Official announcements regarding the specific July dates and the host community are expected in the coming weeks.
