Hearts of Oak will begin the 2026-27 Ghana Premier League season away from their usual home after confirming that the University of Ghana Stadium will host their first and third home fixtures.
The temporary move is required because the Accra Sports Stadium is unavailable while its pitch is prepared for Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia.
The Phobians are scheduled to face Berekum Chelsea in their opening league match on Sunday, 6 September. That fixture, along with their Matchday Three home game, will be played at the Legon-based University of Ghana Stadium.
Hearts of Oak will remain there until the Accra Sports Stadium is reopened for domestic football. The club has not provided a date for the return to its regular venue.
The change follows comments from National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, who said that no Ghana Premier League matches would be staged at the Accra Sports Stadium before Ghana’s September qualifier.
The NSA has said the surface is being preserved so that the stadium can meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards for international matches. The work is linked to preparations for the Black Stars’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against The Gambia.
Hearts of Oak confirmed the arrangement in a statement shared on social media, explaining that the unavailability of the Accra Sports Stadium had made the temporary switch necessary.
“Accra Hearts of Oak SC has made temporary arrangements with the University of Ghana Stadium for the use of the facility for our Matchday One and Matchday Three fixtures,” the club said.
It added: “This arrangement has become necessary following the unavailability of the Accra Sports Stadium to facilitate preparations of the pitch for the Black Stars’ September AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia.
“We appreciate the understanding and continued support of our cherished supporters.”
The announcement means Hearts of Oak’s first home fixtures of the new campaign will take place at a different ground from the one traditionally associated with the club.
The Accra-based side, known as the Phobians and the Rainbow Boys, will therefore start their 2026-27 league programme with the University of Ghana Stadium serving as their temporary base.
The venue switch affects Matchday One and Matchday Three only, according to the club’s announcement. The change has been made to allow preparations to continue at the Accra Sports Stadium ahead of Ghana’s international assignment.
Until the national-team fixture has passed and the Accra Sports Stadium becomes available again for domestic football, Hearts of Oak’s home arrangements will remain centred on the University of Ghana Stadium.
