2026/27 NPFL Season Kicks Off Friday as Shooting Stars Host Inter Lagos
By Cynthia Okere, Lagos
The 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season will kick off on Friday, August 28, with Shooting Stars Sports Club hosting newly promoted Inter Lagos in the opening match of the campaign.
The official NPFL fixtures show that the South-West encounter will be played at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
The match will open a new campaign involving 20 clubs, including promoted sides Sporting Lagos, Inter Lagos, Doma United and Ranchers Bees, who were formally admitted into the top flight following their promotion from the Nigeria National League.
The remaining nine Matchday One fixtures are scheduled for Sunday, August 30.
Defending champions Rangers International will begin their campaign at home against Katsina United in Enugu, while Enyimba will travel to face Niger Tornadoes.
Rivers United will host Plateau United, Bendel Insurance will face Warri Wolves in Benin, while Kwara United welcome Kano Pillars.
Other opening fixtures will see Abia Warriors take on Kun Khalifat, Barau FC face Nasarawa United, Ikorodu City host Ranchers Bees, and Doma United welcome Sporting Lagos.
The new season continues the NPFL’s recent effort to maintain a more predictable domestic football calendar, with the league management noting ahead of the fixture draw that the competition has maintained an August-to-May calendar in recent seasons.