The 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will kick off with a thrilling encounter as reigning champions Remo Stars face the 2022 winners, Rivers United.
The high-stakes clash which was confirmed on Monday, July 28, during the official NPFL draw ceremony held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, will take place in Ikenne, Ogun state, on August 22.
Note that former Nigerian internationals Garba Lawal and Chikelue Iloenyosi joined league officials to unveil the new season’s fixtures through a ballot system.
Remo Stars, who claimed their first-ever NPFL title last season, will be looking to assert their dominance early, but Rivers United are expected to pose a formidable challenge.
Beyond the clash in Ikenne, fans across the country can expect mouthwatering opening-day fixtures. Abia Warriors will entertain Kano Pillars in Umuahia, while Wikki Tourists square off against Plateau United in Bauchi.
In Enugu, Rangers will battle ambitious NPFL debutants Khun Khalifat. Newly promoted Barau FC face an uphill task as they begin life in the top flight with a tough fixture against eight-time champions Enyimba.
Elsewhere, Shooting Stars will host Bayelsa United in Ibadan, and Niger Tornadoes take on Nasarawa United in what promises to be a feisty northern derby.
El-Kanemi Warriors welcome Bendel Insurance to Maiduguri, and Kwara United will go head-to-head with Ikorodu City, in Ilorin.
Speaking at the unveiling, NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye praised the league’s increasing popularity, which he attributed partly to the return of experienced Nigerian internationals last season.
“There was a significant increase in numbers at our games as our league grew in popularity with the notable return of ex-internationals such as Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi to Kano Pillars, Brown Ideye to Enyimba, and Godwin Obaje to Rangers, amongst several other returning players,” Elegbeleye said.
Representing NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, the Federation’s General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, highlighted strides made in improving the league’s operational integrity. He also revealed that steps are underway to incorporate Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology into the NPFL.
“The NFF is impressed with the league’s scheduling discipline last season, and to that end, we have already sent some referees to Morocco for VAR training as we work towards its eventual implementation in the NPFL,” Sanusi said.
Below are the NPFL Matchday 1 Fixtures for the 2025-2026 season and venues:
Abia Warriors FC vs Kano Pillars FC
Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia
El Kanemi Warriors vs Bendel Insurance
El Kanemi Warriors Stadium, Maiduguri
Shooting Stars SC vs Bayelsa United FC
Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan
Niger Tornadoes vs Nasarawa United FC
ABS Stadium, Kaduna
Remo Stars FC vs Rivers United FC
Remo Stars FC Stadium, Ikenne
Wikki Tourists FC vs Plateau United FC
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi
Kwara United FC vs Ikorodu City FC
Ilorin Township Stadium, Ilorin
Rangers Int’l FC vs Kun Khalifat FC
Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu
Katsina United FC vs Warri Wolves FC
Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina
Barau FC vs Enyimba FC
Dambatta Stadium, Kano
At the time of writing, all fixtures are slated for August 22, 2025, which is subject to change.
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