Nigerian football fans are counting down to August 22, 2025, when defending champions Remo Stars open their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title defence against former champions Rivers United in Ikenne. The league organisers released the full season calendar on Thursday, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most competitive campaigns in recent years.
The season’s curtain-raiser will see Remo Stars, who clinched their first-ever league title last season, take on Rivers United in a clash that has been dubbed an early title decider. Both teams have strengthened their squads during the off-season, fuelling anticipation among supporters.
According to the NPFL schedule, the first round of matches will unfold across all 10 league venues from August 22–24, with fixtures including Enyimba vs Kano Pillars and Akwa United vs Shooting Stars. The league’s organisers say the opening weekend is designed to deliver high-intensity football from the very start.
A mid-season break is slated for December 30, 2025, to January 6, 2026, offering clubs and players a brief respite during the festive period. The mid-season transfer window will run almost concurrently, opening January 1 and closing January 30, giving teams an opportunity to fine-tune their squads for the business end of the campaign.
The NPFL has also confirmed that match officials will undergo additional VAR simulation training before the second half of the season, a move aimed at improving refereeing consistency after a series of controversial calls last term.
This season will officially end on Sunday, May 24, 2026, with simultaneous kick-offs across the country to ensure fairness in deciding the title race, continental spots, and relegation battles. The NPFL says fans can expect “more drama, more goals, and more unforgettable moments.”
The 2025/26 campaign will be broadcast live on multiple platforms, including NPFL TV and selected matches on national television. With clubs investing heavily in new signings and infrastructure, stakeholders believe this could be a defining year for Nigerian domestic football’s global image.
