Multi-year agreement positions Zanzibar as Africa’s premier preseason football destination and reinforces The Return Pass’ vision of building transformational football properties.
The Return Pass Consult has reached a significant milestone in its journey to create world-class football development platforms with the signing of a Strategic Hosting and Development Partnership Agreement for the Africa Elite Series (AES). The agreement, signed with the Ministry of Information, Arts, Culture and Sports and the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF), establishes Zanzibar as the official home of the Africa Elite Series from 2027 to 2029.
As the founder, rights holder, and organizer of the Africa Elite Series, The Return Pass has spent the last several years developing a vision that extends beyond football competition. AES has been created as a platform where sport, education, innovation, tourism, and community development converge to create lasting impact.
The signing of this agreement represents a major step forward in transforming that vision into a sustainable continental property.
Creating a New Football Platform for Africa
The Africa Elite Series is a 12-day elite preseason program bringing together leading African clubs for high-performance preparation, competitive matches, technical education, and knowledge sharing. Through its Football Technology Forum, Coaches’ Knowledge Share sessions, Youth Soccer Clinics, and social impact programs, AES aims to raise standards across the football ecosystem.
The event is built around five strategic pillars:
- Elite Preseason Competition
- Coaches Knowledge Share & Football Technology Forum
- Youth Soccer Clinic
- Tourism, Culture & Hospitality Showcase
- AES CARES – Playing for a Better Africa
A Partnership with Long-Term Impact
The three-year hosting agreement provides a stable foundation for growth and allows AES to establish itself as Africa’s premier preseason football platform.
By working closely with government institutions, football stakeholders, commercial partners, and local communities, AES will contribute to:
- Football development and capacity building
- Tourism promotion and destination branding
- Youth empowerment and education; investment attraction
- Knowledge exchange and innovation
- Community impact through AES CARES
Looking Ahead
The Return Pass will now focus on the next phase of AES development, including strategic partnerships, broadcast agreements, founding club announcements, sponsor acquisition, and the launch of AES 2027.
The inaugural edition under the new agreement will run from 31 July to 8 August 2027 and mark the start of a new era for African preseason football.
Signing this agreement reflects The Return Pass’ commitment to creating platforms that deliver value not only for football but also for governments, communities, businesses, and future generations.
