NPFL 2025/26 Season To Kick Off On 22 August, Announces Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is gearing up for an exciting 2025/26 season, with the campaign set to commence on Friday, 22 August 2025, and conclude on 24 May 2026. The announcement was made by NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, during a media briefing at the league’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday, 13 June 2025.
Elegbeleye expressed confidence in the league’s commitment to maintaining a consistent football calendar, aligning with global standards. “We are determined to establish a traditional period for the competition to enable clubs, players, match officials, and scouts to plan their own calendars,” he stated. “The 2025/26 season will commence on 22 August 2025 and will be completed on 24 May 2026, marking another step towards a seamless and predictable schedule.”
The NPFL has made significant strides in recent years, with the 2024/25 season lauded for adhering to its announced start date of 31 August 2024 and concluding on 25 May 2025. This achievement, a rarity in the league’s history, was highlighted by Elegbeleye as a testament to the board’s dedication to delivering on its promises. “This is the first time in many years, perhaps since the start of the new era Nigeria Premier Football League in 2005, that a date for kick-off and ending has been faithfully implemented,” he noted.
Reflecting on the recently concluded 2024/25 season, Elegbeleye shared notable highlights. Remo Stars clinched their first-ever NPFL title with three games to spare, defeating Niger Tornadoes to secure the championship and a N200 million prize. The season saw 380 matches played, with 286 wins, 92 draws, and 552 home goals scored. Yusuf Anas emerged as the top goal scorer with 18 goals, including two consecutive hat-tricks. The league also achieved unprecedented broadcast coverage, with 188 matches aired on StarTimes and over 200 fixtures streamed globally by Propel Sports Africa.
Looking ahead, the NPFL aims to build on this momentum. Elegbeleye emphasised the league’s ambition to become Africa’s premier football competition. “We are on the path to making the NPFL the best league in Africa,” he said, citing structural improvements and a stable August-to-May calendar that aligns with European leagues. This harmonisation allows Nigerian players to attend trials abroad during the off-season without disrupting their clubs’ schedules, a significant step forward for the league’s global integration.
The NPFL board is expected to release fixtures, broadcast arrangements, and player registration guidelines in the coming weeks. Clubs are also under scrutiny to meet stringent infrastructure requirements, including LED floodlights and backup power, to ensure they can host matches at their home grounds.
As anticipation builds for the 2025/26 season, fans can look forward to another competitive campaign. Remo Stars and Rivers United, who finished first and second respectively in the 2024/25 season, will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, while third-placed Abia Warriors will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.
With Elegbeleye’s leadership steering the NPFL towards greater professionalism and global recognition, the 2025/26 season promises to deliver thrilling football and further elevate the league’s standing on the continent.
