It is certain that the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will kick off as planned as the league management body has officially announced Friday, August 28 as the kick off date with Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan and Inter Lagos FC paired against each other for the opening match in Ibadan.
The announcement was made during the draws ceremony held on the sidelines of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Premier Football League in Ibadan, Oyo State on Friday, August 7,2026.
The draws also have Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin at home against Warri Wolves in their first game of the season. The match is scheduled for Sunday, August 30. The Niger Delta derby is followed by a trip to Lafia for Match Day two with Nasarawa Utd.
Kun Khalifat(H),Ranchers Bees (A) and Ikorodu City (H) are next in the first five fixtures involving the Benin Arsenals.
Bendel Insurance FC now expect their fans to return to the stadium to cheer them up against their opponents as the club have served out the three match behind closed doors punishment.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele has commended the NPFL management under the leadership of Hon.Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye for his visionary and pragmatic leadership which is evident in the stability and sustainable progress the topflight league has recorded in the recent past.
Enabulele said that Elegbeleye has distinguished himself,having succeeded in establishing a stable calendar that has seen season kickoff and conclusion going as planned without any major hiccups.
” Our premier league has impressed tremendously in the operational standard and has been stable and consistent following the calendar for the past three seasons with a clear sense of direction. Elegbeleye’s management committee deserves commendation “. He said
Bendel Insurance FC finished fifth in the 2025/26 and will be looking to surpass that feat in the coming season.