NPFL Kicks Off August 22, N200m Prize Awaits Champions
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is poised for an exhilarating return, with the 2025/2026 season officially set to commence on Friday, August 22, 2025.
The announcement, made by league chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye at the NFF headquarters in Abuja on Friday, has ignited anticipation across the nation as clubs prepare to vie for the coveted title and a significantly increased prize of N200 million for the champions.
The new season is slated to run through May 24, 2026, a strategic move, according to Elegbeleye, aimed at aligning Nigeria’s domestic football calendar with continental competitions.
“We have fixed August 22, 2025, as the kickoff date for the new NPFL season, and it will run through to May 24, 2026,” Elegbeleye confirmed.
“This is part of our broader plan to stabilise the calendar and give clubs enough time for pre-season preparations and rest.”
The league boss also affirmed that the popular 38-matchday full league format will be retained, promising a comprehensive and competitive season in for fans and teams alike.
Further details regarding matchday schedules and player registration guidelines are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
While the kickoff date is set, the full roster of teams for the upcoming season remains incomplete.
Four clubs are yet to emerge from the second-tier Nigeria National League (NNL) playoffs, which are anticipated to take place in July.
These promoted teams will join the established NPFL sides, adding fresh challenges and narratives to the league.
Following what has been widely lauded as the most successful season yet in 2024/2025, expectations are soaring for the new campaign.
The substantial ₦200 million prize money for the eventual champions marks a significant incentive, further raising the stakes and promising an even more fiercely contested battle for supremacy in Nigerian club football.
Football enthusiasts across the North and beyond are already marking their calendars for what promises to be another thrilling season of top-flight action.
