The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has unveiled the fixtures for the 2026/27 season. Shooting Stars will host Inter Lagos in the opening match at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Friday, August 28.
The fixture, confirmed during the NPFL Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan on Thursday, will kick off the new campaign with a South West derby. The remaining Matchday One matches will take place on Sunday, August 30.
Defending champions NPFL Rangers International will begin their title defense at home against Katsina United at the Cathedral in Enugu.
Last season’s runners-up, Rivers United, will also enjoy home advantage when they welcome Plateau United to Port Harcourt.
Kano Pillars are now under the new technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede, a change that signals a fresh strategic phase for the club. They face a difficult away trip to Ilorin to take on Kwara United at the start of the campaign.
Enyimba will travel to face Niger Tornadoes in a mid-table clash that realistically tests their resilience this season. Newly promoted Doma United and Sporting Lagos will meet in one of the standout NPFL opening weekend fixtures, drawing early league-wide attention.
Other Matchday One fixtures will see Ikorodu City host Ranchers Bees.
Abia Warriors welcome NPFL Kun Khalifat FC.
Barau FC entertain Nasarawa United, and Bendel Insurance face Warri Wolves.
The Annual General Meeting remains the league’s key decision-making gathering. Additionally, during the event, the NPFL board and club representatives reviewed the previous campaign and approved plans for the new season.
NPFL chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye said the league has made progress.
Additionally, Elegbeleye says the progress comes from maintaining a stable football calendar over the past four seasons.
Our modest achievement includes putting the NPFL on a stable calendar since the 2023/2024 season.
Moreover, it is a major shift from the era of never knowing when the season will be concluded. Elegbeleye said ahead of the AGM.
He pointed to improvements in television coverage.
However, he admitted there is still work to do.
However, we have succeeded to a large extent in this direction. We still have much more work to do, he added.
Since taking charge, Elegbeleye has overseen a consistent schedule that starts each season in August.
Additionally, it concludes in May, bringing greater stability to Nigeria’s top-flight competition.
The Full Matchday One fixtures
IKORODU CITY vs RANCHERS BEES
ABIA WARRIORS vs KUN KHALIFAT FC.
BARAU FC vs NASARAWA UNITED
BENDEL INSURANCE vs WARRI WOLVES
Rangers Intl. vs Katsina United
RIVERS UNITED faces PLATEAU UNITED FC.
KWARA UNITED vs KANO PILLARS
Niger Tornadoes will play Enyimba FC.
SHOOTING STARS vs INTER LAGOS
DOMA UNITED vs SPORTING LAGOS
