The Nigeria National League (NNL) will kick off the 2026/27 season on Saturday, October 31, with Heartland FC hosting Crown FC in the opening fixture.
All other Matchday 1 fixtures are scheduled to take place the following weekend, beginning November 7.
The NNL is expected to enter the new campaign with clubs stepping up preparations ahead of what promises to be another competitive season.
Promotion and Relegation
The NNL has also confirmed the following movement between divisions:
- Four teams will gain promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
- Eight teams will be relegated to the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO).
- Eight teams will gain promotion from the NLO to the NNL.
- The league will retain its four-group format for the 2026/27 season.
The first-placed team in each of the four groups will earn promotion to the NPFL.
The NNL board has maintained the four-group structure, shelving the initial plan to reduce the competition to two groups.
The two-group format is now expected to be implemented next season, when the groups are projected to have equal numbers of teams.
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