Race to the NNL: 32 Teams Set for Battle in NYML/NLO 2025 Season

The fixtures for the 2025 New Year Mega Lottery (NYML) Nationwide League One (NLO) season have been officially released, with 32 teams set to compete for promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

According to Olushola Ogunnowo, Chief Operating Officer of the NLO, the promotion will be decided through a round-robin format. Teams are divided into eight groups of four, with each team playing three matches. Group winners will secure direct promotion to the NNL.

Slot 1 action at Ijebu-Ode Stadium will feature the Winner of Legacy Pitch A against the Winner of Maracana B, and the Winner of Legacy Pitch B facing the Winner of Maracana A.

Slot 2 at Legacy Pitch will see the Winner of Ikorodu A take on the Winner of Ebedei, while the Winner of Ikorodu B faces the Winner of Ilaro.

In Akure (Slot 3), the Winner of Asaba meets the Winner of Iseyin, and the Winner of Ile-Ogbo plays the Winner of Ijebu-Ode.

Slot 4 at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, will have the Winner of Calabar Centre against the Winner of Awka, and the Winner of Uyo facing the Winner of Oisa.

In the Northern Zone, Slot 5 at Bwari Stadium, Abuja, will feature a Kwara Derby between the Winner of Kwara 1 and the Winner of Kwara 2, while the Winner of Lafia plays the Winner of Minna.

Slot 6 at the Lafia Stadium will host matches between the Winner of Jos and the Winner of FCT Centre 1, and between the Winner of FCT Centre 2 and the Winner of Bwari Centre.

At Jos Stadium (Slot 7), the Winner of Bauchi Centre faces the Winner of ABS Kaduna Centre, while the Winner of Gumel Centre battles the Winner of Gom/Num/Yobe Centre.

Slot 8 action at Gumel, Jigawa, will have the Winner of Sokoto Centre against the Winner of Barau Centre, alongside a clash between the Winner of Sani Abacha Stadium Centre and the Winner of Bichi Centre.

Additional round-robin matches will also be played across the centres.

The 2025 NYML/NLO season officially kicked off on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Ogunnowo welcomed the start of the season, highlighting the opportunity for young talents to showcase their abilities.