The league says the new schedule is meant to raise the appeal of the NPFL for supporters, broadcasters and commercial partners.
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The NPFL will introduce Friday night, early Saturday and Sunday kick-offs as part of efforts to make the league more appealing and give fans a better matchday experience. The first Friday night game is in Matchday 9: Shooting Stars against Ranchers Bees at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Friday, October 16.
Kick-off is at 6pm. It will be the second time Shooting Stars host an NPFL game on a Friday this season, after their 2-1 win over Inter Lagos on the opening matchday.
Why the Change?
The league has traditionally played most of its games on weekend afternoons. The new format is meant to add variety and flexibility for supporters, broadcasters and commercial partners.
Friday night football is also expected to attract bigger crowds and more fan engagement. The league wants its matchday presentation to move closer to patterns seen in some of the world’s leading leagues. Fans following the new schedule can check YOHAIG’s Bet9ja access offer before Matchday 9.
The Money Behind It
The change comes weeks after the league signed a three-year, $7.5 million title sponsorship deal with Euromatch Group in August. NPFL chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye has said the league has moved beyond the challenge of getting fans into stadiums and is now working on the match day experience.
Early Saturday and Sunday kick-offs will be introduced as the season goes on, but no dates or times have been announced for them.
Matchday 9 Test
Ranchers Bees were fined ₦5 million by the league after their 0-0 draw with Rivers United on September 28. NPFL followers who want to test their forecasts can use Bet9ja’s Super9ja Friday picks when the new Friday slot begins.
Shooting Stars face Nasarawa United on Sunday, October 4, and host Kano Pillars on Wednesday, October 7. The Friday game comes nine days after the Pillars match.
The league hasn’t said which other Friday night fixtures are planned after Matchday 9.
Will Friday night football bring bigger crowds to Ibadan? New bettors following the league can read Bet9ja’s short promo code guide first.
📌 Did You Know?
- The 2026/27 NPFL has 20 clubs, and each plays 38 matches.
- The season kicked off at the end of August 2026 and runs into 2027.
- Globacom was the league’s previous title sponsor, and its deal ended in 2016.
- Under the Euromatch deal, 60 percent of each year’s money, about $1.5 million, goes to the 20 clubs.
- Shooting Stars played in the CAF Confederation Cup this season, their first continental campaign since 1999.
