NPFL: Remo Stars vs Rivers United headlines 2025/26 kickoff

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is set to begin a new and exciting season, and current champions Remo Stars will start their title defense with a challenging match against Rivers United.

This fixture was officially announced during the release of the full schedule in Abuja on Monday.

The 2025/26 NPFL season will once again feature 20 football clubs from across the country.

Each team will play a total of 38 matches  half at home and half away  as they compete over 38 match weeks.

This structure is designed to ensure a fair and competitive season for all teams involved.

In order to improve crowd control and enhance safety at match venues, the league organizers have made specific changes to the fixture schedule.

One of the most notable adjustments is that clubs based in the same state will not play home games on the same weekend.

For example, Abia Warriors and Enyimba FC, both from Abia State, will have their home games scheduled on different match days to prevent clashes. The same approach applies to Kano Pillars and Barau FC, who are both based in Kano State.

This new scheduling strategy is expected to help reduce pressure on local security services, improve fan experience, and manage traffic and logistics around stadiums.

It also shows that the NPFL is paying more attention to planning and organization, which is something fans and clubs have long been calling for.

As the new season approaches, excitement is building among football fans across Nigeria.

Many will be eager to see if Remo Stars can defend their title successfully, or if other strong contenders like Rivers United, Enyimba, or Plateau United will rise to the challenge.

The upcoming season promises to deliver thrilling matches, intense rivalries, and outstanding individual performances. With improvements in planning and structure, there is hope that this season will be one of the best in recent NPFL history.