NNL 2025/2026 Season to Kick Off November 8 with Major Structural Changes
The Nigeria National League (NNL) has officially announced that the 2025/2026 season will kick off on Saturday, November 8, 2025, with a high-profile Star Match to set the tone for the campaign.
This decision was ratified during the league’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the prestigious 5th Chukker Resort Limited in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State.
Following the Star Match, the rest of the Week One fixtures will be played across various approved venues on November 14th, 15th, and 16th, signaling a full return to competitive action.
As part of the resolutions at the AGM, the NNL will adopt an abridged format featuring four conferences, A, B, C, and D, streamlining competition and travel logistics.
In a landmark decision, the AGM abolished the traditional Super 8 tournament and that promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) will now be awarded directly to the top club in each conference.
Meanwhile, a new Super 4 competition will crown the overall NNL champion. However, clubs that fail to participate in this event will forfeit their promotion rights, which will then be handed to the second-placed team in their respective conference.
The NNL says only stadia that meet the NNL’s facility standards will be approved for hosting matches, ensuring safety and professionalism while clubs must submit valid insurance coverage for players and officials as part of their registration requirements.
The AGM adopted the 2024/2025 audited financial report and approved the 2025/2026 budget as the league’s working document.
