Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Remo Stars will begin their 2025/26 title defence with a headline clash against Rivers United, following the release of the full season fixture list on Monday in Abuja.
The draw, conducted during a rainy afternoon in the capital, confirmed that the new season will officially begin on 22 August. Each of the 20 clubs will play a total of 38 matches — 19 home and 19 away — across 38 match weeks.
In the highlight of Matchday 1, Remo Stars will welcome Rivers United to Ikenne in what promises to be a thrilling encounter between two recent title contenders. Rivers United, who opened their 2024/25 campaign with a goalless draw away to Bendel Insurance, will once again be starting their season on the road.
To ensure better crowd control and ease security management, the NPFL board has introduced a staggered fixture structure. Clubs from the same state will not host home matches on the same weekend. This approach affects sides such as Abia Warriors and Enyimba FC, as well as Kano Pillars and Barau FC, whose home games have been carefully scheduled to avoid overlaps.
The opening round of matches will feature several eye-catching fixtures, including a northern derby between Wikki Tourists and Plateau United, and an exciting encounter between Shooting Stars and Bayelsa United in Ibadan.
Full Matchday 1 Fixtures:
- Abia Warriors vs Kano Pillars
- Wikki Tourists vs Plateau United
- Katsina United vs Warri Wolves
- Rangers International vs Kun Khalifa FC
- Remo Stars vs Rivers United
- Kwara United vs Ikorodu City
- El Kanemi Warriors vs Bendel Insurance
- Shooting Stars vs Bayelsa United
- Barau FC vs Enyimba FC
- Niger Tornadoes vs Nasarawa United
Fans across the country can look forward to another competitive and drama-filled NPFL season as clubs battle for supremacy and continental qualification.
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