The Nigeria Premier Football League returned on Friday for the 2026/27 season with more at stake than the usual battle for the title, continental places and survival.
A new commercial era, a record ₦1 billion prize for the champions, four promoted clubs and the unpredictability of last season have combined to raise expectations around Nigeria’s top-flight league.
The campaign began with a South-West clash as Shooting Stars hosted newly promoted Inter Lagos in a 2-1 win for the home side at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, before the remaining nine Matchday 1 fixtures are played on Sunday.
Rangers International enter the season as defending champions after edging Rivers United by a single point last season, but retaining the crown will be considerably more difficult.
The Enugu club must also balance its title defence with a CAF Champions League campaign, while Rivers United, Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City will be among the clubs hoping to challenge for the championship.
