RismadarVoice Reporters
October 4, 2026
The Nigeria Premier Football League has announced plans to introduce Friday night matches alongside early Saturday and Sunday kick-offs as part of a new scheduling format for the 2026/27 season.
The arrangement is expected to begin from Matchday Nine, with Shooting Stars Sports Club and Ranchers Bees selected for the first Friday night fixture at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
According to the league’s announcement, the encounter is scheduled for Friday, October 16, with kick-off set for 6pm.
The fixture will mark another Friday appearance for Shooting Stars at home this season after the Ibadan club opened its campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter Lagos at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
The NPFL said early Saturday and Sunday fixtures would also be introduced progressively as the season continues.
The scheduling changes are aimed at creating more varied matchday experiences, increasing interest in domestic football and giving supporters additional opportunities to follow league matches.
The league also hopes the new arrangement will strengthen the presentation and visibility of the competition by spreading fixtures across different days and kick-off periods.
The Friday night initiative represents another adjustment to the NPFL’s matchday structure as organisers seek to improve the appeal of Nigeria’s top-flight football competition.
