The Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, has been selected to host the 2026 edition of the Nationwide League One (NLO) Cup, which is expected to feature six outstanding teams representing the league's various zones.

Chief Operating Officer of the NLO, Dr Sola Ogunnowo, disclosed this, revealing that the competition will also serve as the platform for the launch of a new Player Analytics Technology aimed at transforming player assessment and performance evaluation in Nigerian grassroots football.

According to Ogunnowo, the technology will provide detailed individual performance data, highlighting each player's strengths, weaknesses and overall contribution rather than relying solely on subjective assessments.

"We have a venue already in Remo Stars Stadium, and we are planning to launch our new Player Analytics Technology during the competition," Ogunnowo said.

"This will define the player technologically and not by guessing. It will show the best part and the weak part of every player, and it will be shown on the screen/scoreboard of Remo Stars Stadium," he added.

The NLO chief explained that the tournament would bring together one outstanding team from each of the six zones, giving the best-performing clubs an opportunity to compete for the title.

Beyond the competition itself, Ogunnowo disclosed plans to introduce an unprecedented star prize for the eventual winners, with an emphasis on providing a reward that would benefit the club, its players and officials.

He stressed that the proposed prize would be structured to deliver collective benefits rather than being limited to cash rewards that might end up with individuals.

"One winner from each of the zones. A star prize that has never been presented to a winner will be presented that day.

"A prize that will be useful to serve the players, the officials and the club as a whole, and not cash that will just go into an individual pocket.

"We are working on how to help football in NLO and not how football is helping individuals," Ogunnowo stated.

The introduction of the Player Analytics Technology is expected to add a new dimension to the NLO Cup by giving participating players access to measurable performance assessments while providing coaches, scouts and football administrators with valuable data.

The initiative also reflects the league's drive to embrace technological innovation in grassroots football, particularly in talent identification, player development and the transition of emerging footballers to higher levels of the game.

With the Remo Stars Stadium providing the venue, the 2026 NLO Cup is set to combine competitive football with technological innovation as the Nationwide League One continues its efforts to strengthen grassroots football development in Nigeria.