Calabar to host 2026 NWFL Championship
Calabar, Cross River State, will once again welcome the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship as the 2026 edition of the second-tier competition returns to the city two years after it successfully staged the tournament in 2024.
The NWFL confirmed in a statement on Thursday that this year's Championship will take place from July 9 to 16, with 16 clubs competing for the coveted promotion spots to the NWFL Premiership.
The return to Calabar reinforces the city's growing reputation as a key destination for women's football in Nigeria, setting the stage for another fiercely contested promotion race among ambitious clubs seeking a place in the country's top-flight league.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, outlined the competition schedule, revealing that participating teams are expected to arrive in Calabar on Thursday, July 9, ahead of the start of the tournament.
She also disclosed that the clubs will be drawn into four groups during the official draw scheduled for Monday, June 29, with group allocations and other competition details to be communicated to all participating teams afterward.
Activities will begin with a pre-match meeting on Friday, July 10, before the opening round of matches kicks off on Saturday, July 11. Matchday One will feature eight games spread across two venues.
After a rest day on Sunday, July 12, teams will return to action on Monday, July 13, for another round of eight fixtures. The group stage will conclude on Tuesday, July 14, before a second rest day on Wednesday, July 15.
The competition will reach its climax on Thursday, July 16, with the decisive play-off matches that will determine the teams securing promotion and those facing relegation.
At the end of the tournament, the two best-performing clubs will earn promotion to the NWFL Premiership, while the two lowest-ranked teams will be relegated to the NWFL Nationwide division.
The NWFL has urged all participating clubs to comply fully with the competition's regulations, schedule, and directives as preparations gather momentum for the 2026 Championship.
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