NPFL: Remo Stars Kick Off Title Defence Against Rivers Utd

Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Remo Stars, will commence their title defence in the 2025/26 season with a pivotal clash against former champions, Rivers United.

The opening fixture was announced following a draw held on Monday in Abuja, which confirmed that Remo Stars will host Rivers United at the Remo Stadium.

The season’s opening matches also include Kano Pillars making the trip to Aba to face Abia Warriors, whilst newcomers Wikki Tourists will entertain Plateau United.

Katsina will welcome Warri Wolves to the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, and debutants Kun Khalifa FC will visit former champions Rangers International in Enugu.

Also on the first day of the NPFL’s new season, Federation Cup champions Kwara United are scheduled to take on Ikorodu City in Ilorin; El Kanemi Warriors will play host to Bendel Insurance in Maiduguri, and Shooting Stars will clash with Bayelsa United in Ibadan.

Newcomer Barau FC will face a daunting challenge on day one against Enyimba of Aba, while Niger Tornadoes will take on Nasarawa United in a North Central derby.

The new NPFL season will feature each of the 20 clubs playing a total of 38 matches—19 at home and 19 away—across 38 match weeks, with ten fixtures scheduled per round.

To enhance crowd management and ensure safety, the NPFL has structured the fixture list to prevent clubs from the same state from playing home matches on the same weekend.

This arrangement affects pairings such as Abia Warriors and Enyimba FC, along with Kano Pillars and Barau FC, whose home games will be alternated throughout the season.