Nigeria Leagues
New NPFL season to kick off on August 22, Elegbeleye hails landmark campaign
By Samuel Ahmadu
Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, has announced that the 2025/26 NPFL season will commence on August 22, 2025, and run through to May 24, 2026, maintaining a consistent football calendar introduced in the just-concluded season.
Speaking during a media briefing on Friday in Abuja, Elegbeleye praised the success of the 2024/25 campaign, which began on August 31, 2024, and ended on May 25, 2025.
He described it as a historic milestone for the NPFL in terms of planning, execution, and overall integrity.
“It is my great pleasure and delight to welcome everyone here for a brief review of the highly successful season that began on August 31, 2024, and concluded on May 25, 2025,” he began.
“For the first time in many years, perhaps since the start of the new era of the Nigeria Premier Football League in 2005—twenty years ago—a date for kick-off and ending was faithfully implemented. That is a commitment we made, and a promise delivered,” Elegbeleye added.
He emphasized the importance of consistency in scheduling and announced that the new season would begin on August 22, 2025, and conclude in May 2026, reinforcing the league’s resolve to maintain a stable football calendar. “This is to maintain a calendar we have now established from the last season,” he stated.
The NPFL Chairman also presented key highlights from the 2024/25 season, which saw Remo Stars make history by clinching the title with three games to spare after their Matchday 35 victory over Niger Tornadoes on April 27.
A total of 380 matches were played across the season, with each of the 20 teams playing 19 home and 19 away games. The season recorded 286 wins, 94 draws, and 784 total goals. Of those, 552 goals were scored at home and 232 by away teams, including 60 penalty goals—16 of which were missed. The campaign also featured 13 own goals and four hat tricks.
The top three teams were Remo Stars, Rivers United, and Abia Warriors, while on the goalscoring chart, Yusuf Anas of Nasarawa United led with 18 goals, followed by Rabiu Ali with 13 and Anthony Ijoma of Abia Warriors with 12. Anas accounted for two of the four hat tricks, with the remaining two netted by Isaac Saviour of Rangers and Amadu Liman.
Disciplinary statistics showed 1,380 yellow cards issued and 56 red cards throughout the season.
On broadcast and streaming, Elegbeleye said, “Of the 380 matches, 188 were covered live by StarTimes, while Propel streamed over 200. That coverage has played a key role in expanding access and engagement.”
He concluded by appreciating the media and stakeholders for their unwavering support. “Thank you again for your consistent support and positive reportage of the NPFL. The detailed stats are on our website, or you can contact Dr. Sunny Obaseki, our Head of Competitions,” he said.
With the 2025/26 season already mapped out, the NPFL leadership is determined to build on the momentum of what has been widely regarded as one of the most successful seasons in Nigerian club football history.
