The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Board, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, has confirmed that the 2025/2026 NPFL season will begin on 22 August 2025 and run through to 24 May 2026.
Elegbeleye made the announcement during a media briefing at the NPFL headquarters in Abuja, underscoring the league’s continued alignment with international football calendars.
“The dates have been carefully set to ensure a more structured and predictable season, in line with global standards,” he said.
Reflecting on the just-concluded 2024/25 campaign, Elegbeleye highlighted improvements in league organisation, club compliance, and fan engagement.
Remo Stars were crowned champions with three games to spare, sealing their title on matchday 35 against Nasarawa United in Lafia.
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The season featured 380 matches, with 286 wins, 92 draws and 552 home goals. A total of 16 penalties were missed, while referees issued over 1,180 yellow and red cards during the campaign.
Remo Stars will look to defend their NPFL crown in the 2025/2026 season. Photo Credit: X
Yusuf Anas finished as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals, including two hat-tricks in successive fixtures. He was closely followed by Rabiu Ali, who netted 13 times.
According to Elegbeleye, the 2024/25 season marked a significant leap in visibility, with over 400 games broadcast live.
“That’s a remarkable step in bringing the NPFL closer to fans and attracting greater sponsorship,” he said.
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On player welfare, he reported notable progress. “The issue of unpaid salaries and bonuses has significantly reduced. Financial discipline has improved across the board since this administration took over.”
As part of plans to elevate the league’s competitiveness, Elegbeleye announced that the champions of the 2025/26 season will receive a ₦200 million prize.
