NPFL: Organisers announce kickoff date for 2025/26 season

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has officially announced that the 2025/26 season will commence on 22 August and run through to 24 May 2026.

This announcement was made by the NPFL Chairperson, Gbenga Elegbeleye, during a press briefing held on Friday to review the just-concluded season and outline projections for the new campaign.

Mr Elegbeleye noted that the decision to stick to a fixed calendar stems from the league’s growing commitment to professionalism, planning, and consistency.

According to him, this stable schedule will help clubs, players, match officials, and scouts to better organise their activities around the NPFL calendar.

“This is the first time in many years, perhaps since the start of the new era Nigeria Premier Football League in 2005, (20 years) that a date for kick-off and ending will be faithfully implemented. That is a commitment we made and a promise delivered,” he said.

Reflecting on the 2024/25 season, which kicked off on 31 August 2024, and ended on 25 May, the NPFL chairman emphasised the league’s successful adherence to its schedule and expressed confidence in the sustainability of the current structure.

“Today, we are also here to announce that the 2025/26 season will be commencing on August 22, 2025 and will be completed on May 24, 2026. This is to maintain a calendar we have now established from the last season,” he declared.

Key statistics

The 2024/25 season saw Remo Stars crowned champions in emphatic fashion, clinching the title with three games to spare after defeating Niger Tornadoes on Matchday 35, which took place on 27 April.

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Mr Elegbeleye described the season as a remarkable campaign, not only for its competitive flair but also for its statistical milestones.

A total of 380 matches were played during the season, producing 286 wins and 94 draws.

Across the season, teams scored a combined total of 784 goals. Home teams accounted for 244 victories and 552 goals, while away sides managed 42 wins and netted 232 goals.

Penalty kicks also featured prominently, with 76 awarded in total.

Of these, 60 were converted while 16 were missed. The season also recorded 13 own goals and four hat-tricks.

Disciplinary actions were also highlighted, with 1,380 yellow cards issued and 56 red cards handed out to players over the course of the season.

These figures reflect the intensity and competitiveness that characterised many of the matchdays.

Individually, Nasarawa United’s Yusuf Anas emerged as the league’s top scorer, finishing with 18 goals.

He was followed by veteran forward Rabiu Ali of Kano Pillars, who netted 13 times, while Anthony Ijoma of Abia Warriors came third on the scorers’ chart with 12 goals.

The NPFL also celebrated unprecedented media coverage and broadcasting success.

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Mr Elegbeleye revealed that 188 matches were broadcast live on StarTimes, marking the highest number of televised games in the league’s history.

In addition, over 200 fixtures were streamed globally via Propel Sports Africa’s over-the-top (OTT) platform, significantly expanding the NPFL’s audience reach and visibility across international markets.

With an established calendar and rising standards in match organisation, media presence, and player performance, the NPFL is aiming to build on its recent gains and provide an even better experience in the 2025/26 season.