The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye has confirmed that the 2025/26 season will kick off on August 22, 2025, and run until May 24, 2026, continuing the consistent football calendar established last season.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Elegbeleye celebrated the success of the just-concluded 2024/25 campaign, which ran smoothly from August 31, 2024, to May 25, 2025.

“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 the kickoff and ending was faithfully implemented. That is a commitment we made and a promise we delivered,” he said.

Elegbeleye stressed that keeping a consistent calendar was crucial for the league’s credibility. “The new season begins August 22 and ends in May 2026. This is to maintain a calendar we have now now established,” he added.

Highlighting the 2024/25 season, Elegbeleye noted several milestones:

Remo Stars clinched the title with three games to spare after a Matchday 35 win over Niger Tornadoes on April 27.

380 matches were played across 20 teams, with 286 wins, 94 draws, and 784 goals scored.

Goal stats: 552 home goals, 232 away goals, 60 penalties (16 missed), 13 own goals, and 4 hat tricks.

Top scorers: Yusuf Anas (Nasarawa United) led with 18 goals, followed by Rabiu Ali (13) and Anthony Ijoma (12).

Discipline: 1,380 yellow cards and 56 red cards were issued.

In terms of broadcast reach, 188 matches were aired live by StarTimes, while Propel streamed over 200 matches online.

Elegbeleye thanked the media and stakeholders for their support and positive reportage of the NPFL. “Full season stats are available on our website or through our Head of Competitions, Dr. Sunny Obaseki,” he concluded.