NPFL Unveils 2026/27 Season Calendar, Sets August 28 Kick-Off Date
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced the official calendar for the 2026/2027 season, with the new campaign set to begin between August 28 and 30, 2026.
According to the schedule released by the league, preparations for the new season will start in June with a series of activities aimed at ensuring clubs meet all operational and licensing requirements.
The pre-season programme will include club licensing, settlement of outstanding salaries owed to players and coaches, inspection of stadiums and facilities, and compliance checks for all participating clubs.
The NPFL will also organise its Annual General Meeting (AGM), the official fixtures draw, and the traditional Super 4/6 pre-season tournament in Lagos before the start of the new season.
Player registration and licensing exercises will take place in July and August, while the first transfer window will run from July 15 to September 14, 2026. Clubs have been given until August 22 to complete the registration of their players ahead of the opening fixtures.
The 2026/2027 NPFL season will feature 38 matchdays and will run from late August 2026 until May 30, 2027. The first half of the season will end after Matchday 19 in December, followed by a mid-season break from December 23, 2026, to January 6, 2027.
The second transfer window will remain open throughout January 2027 before league matches resume after the break.
The calendar also makes provision for the President Federation Cup. State qualifying matches are scheduled to begin in early February 2027, with the competition progressing through the Round of 64, Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals before the end of the domestic season.
The NPFL further revealed its long-term scheduling plans, noting that the current 2025/2026 season will conclude on May 24, 2026, while the 2026/2027 campaign is expected to end on May 30, 2027.
In addition, the league disclosed that the 2027/2028 season is tentatively scheduled to kick off between August 27 and 29, 2027, as part of efforts to maintain a stable and consistent football calendar.
The calendar also includes orientation programmes for newly promoted clubs as the NPFL continues preparations for another competitive season.
