Nine rounds into the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the title race already looks familiar. Rivers United are top and still unbeaten, defending champions Enugu Rangers are level on points with a game in hand, and promoted Sporting Lagos are the surprise package in third. At the other end, Enyimba, one of Nigeria’s most decorated clubs, are in the relegation zone, and newcomers Inter Lagos are bottom after a points deduction.
This page gives you the latest NPFL table, the most recent results, the next fixtures, how the league works and who qualifies for Africa. We update it after every matchday. For the national team, see our Super Eagles fixtures and results guide and the AFCON 2027 qualifiers table.
Last updated: 21 October 2026, after matchday 9. Enugu Rangers and Bendel Insurance have played one game fewer than everyone else.
NPFL table 2026/27 (after matchday 9)
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rivers United | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | +11 | 17 |
| 2 | Enugu Rangers | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +5 | 17 |
| 3 | Sporting Lagos | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | +2 | 15 |
| 4 | Plateau United | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | +4 | 14 |
| 5 | Barau FC | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | +3 | 14 |
| 6 | Nasarawa United | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | +2 | 14 |
| 7 | Kano Pillars | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | +1 | 14 |
| 8 | Doma United | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| 9 | Ikorodu City | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | +2 | 12 |
| 10 | Bendel Insurance | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | +1 | 12 |
| 11 | Niger Tornadoes | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| 12 | Katsina United | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 12 |
| 13 | Kwara United | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 11 |
| 14 | Warri Wolves | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 11 |
| 15 | Shooting Stars | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 11 |
| 16 | Abia Warriors | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | -3 | 10 |
| 17 | Kun Khalifat FC | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -7 | 9 |
| 18 | Enyimba | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 8 |
| 19 | Ranchers Bees | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 8 |
| 20 | Inter Lagos | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | -10 | 2* |
*Inter Lagos were docked three points and three goals by the NPFL in October (see below). Positions 1 and 2 qualify for the CAF Champions League; positions 17 to 20 are relegated. Tables from different sources can differ slightly on goals after sanctions, so check the NPFL’s official channels for the definitive standings.
Latest NPFL results (matchday 9)
- Friday 16 October: Shooting Stars 3-1 Ranchers Bees
- Saturday 17 October: Doma United 1-1 Kun Khalifat; Kwara United 1-1 Abia Warriors
- Sunday 18 October: Rivers United 0-0 Barau FC; Plateau United 2-3 Sporting Lagos; Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Ikorodu City; Kano Pillars 1-0 Katsina United; Inter Lagos 0-2 Nasarawa United; Enyimba 0-0 Warri Wolves
The standout result was Sporting Lagos winning 3-2 in Jos, which lifted the newly promoted side into third. Rivers United were held 0-0 at home by Barau, their fifth draw of the season, but remain the only unbeaten side in the league.
Next NPFL fixtures (matchday 10)
| Date | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sat 24 October, 4pm | Warri Wolves vs Kano Pillars |
| Sat 24 October, 4pm | Sporting Lagos vs Enugu Rangers |
| Sun 25 October, 4pm | Abia Warriors vs Niger Tornadoes |
| Sun 25 October, 4pm | Barau FC vs Kwara United |
| Sun 25 October, 4pm | Bendel Insurance vs Rivers United |
| Sun 25 October, 4pm | Ikorodu City vs Shooting Stars |
| Sun 25 October, 4pm | Katsina United vs Plateau United |
| Sun 25 October, 4pm | Kun Khalifat FC vs Inter Lagos |
| Sun 25 October, 4pm | Nasarawa United vs Enyimba |
| Sun 25 October, 4pm | Ranchers Bees vs Doma United |
Kick-off times are Nigerian time (WAT) and can be moved by the league for television or security reasons. The two big games are third-placed Sporting Lagos at home to champions Enugu Rangers, and leaders Rivers United’s trip to Benin City to face Bendel Insurance.
Talking points so far
Rivers United set the pace
Rivers United finished just one point behind the champions last season and have started as if determined to go one better. They have conceded only two goals in nine games, by far the best defensive record in the league, although five draws mean they have not pulled clear.
Rangers defend their title
Enugu Rangers won the 2025/26 title on the final day, beating Ikorodu City away in Lagos to finish on 68 points, one ahead of Rivers United. It was their ninth league title. They are level on points with the leaders and have a game in hand.
Promoted Sporting Lagos impress
Sporting Lagos came up as National League champions and sit third after nine games. They are one of four promoted clubs this season, along with Doma United, Ranchers Bees and newcomers Inter Lagos. Doma United sit eighth, but Ranchers Bees and Inter Lagos are both in the bottom four.
Enyimba in the relegation zone
Enyimba, the nine-time league champions and two-time African champions, have won only twice and sit 18th. It is early, but the Aba club cannot afford a long stay in the bottom four.
Inter Lagos punished
The NPFL docked Inter Lagos three points and three goals and fined them a combined ₦5.25 million after their 1-1 draw with Katsina United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on 4 October. The league cited poor security, unauthorised people in restricted areas, match officials held for more than an hour after the game and an assault that left an assistant referee with a facial injury. The sanction dropped Inter Lagos from 5 points to 2 and to the bottom of the table.
How the NPFL works
- Teams: 20 clubs play each other home and away, 38 matchdays in all.
- Season dates: the 2026/27 season kicked off on 28 August 2026 and is scheduled to end on 30 May 2027, with a mid-season break from 23 December to 6 January.
- Africa: the top two qualify for the CAF Champions League. The third-placed team and the winners of the Federation Cup (President Cup) go to the CAF Confederation Cup.
- Relegation: the bottom four go down to the Nigeria National League, and four clubs come up.
- Tie-breakers: points, then goal difference, then goals scored.
All 20 NPFL clubs and their grounds
| Club | Home city | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Abia Warriors | Umuahia | Umuahia Township Stadium |
| Barau FC | Kano | Sani Abacha Stadium |
| Bendel Insurance | Benin City | Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium |
| Doma United | Gombe | Pantami Stadium |
| Enugu Rangers | Enugu | Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium |
| Enyimba | Aba | Enyimba International Stadium |
| Ikorodu City | Lagos | Onikan Stadium |
| Inter Lagos | Lagos | Mobolaji Johnson Arena |
| Kano Pillars | Kano | Sani Abacha Stadium |
| Katsina United | Katsina | Muhammadu Dikko Stadium |
| Kun Khalifat FC | Owerri | Dan Anyiam Stadium |
| Kwara United | Ilorin | Kwara State Stadium |
| Nasarawa United | Lafia | Lafia Township Stadium |
| Niger Tornadoes | Minna | Bako Kontagora Stadium |
| Plateau United | Jos | New Jos Stadium |
| Ranchers Bees | Kaduna | Muhammadu Dikko Stadium (Katsina) |
| Rivers United | Port Harcourt | Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium |
| Shooting Stars | Ibadan | Lekan Salami Stadium |
| Sporting Lagos | Lagos | Onikan Stadium |
| Warri Wolves | Warri | Ozoro Stadium |
Clubs sometimes move home games because of stadium repairs, security or sanctions, so check the venue before travelling to a match.
How to watch the NPFL
StarTimes became the NPFL’s broadcast partner in November 2023, ending years in which Nigerian league football was rarely on television. It shows a selection of live matches each round on its sports channels and app, so check StarTimes’ listings and the NPFL’s official social media accounts during the week to see which games are being televised. Not every match is broadcast, so for many fixtures the only option is the stadium.
Going to a match is cheap compared with European football and is one of the best ways to support the local game. Tickets are usually sold at the stadium on match day. Arrive early for the big games, such as Rangers, Rivers United, Enyimba, Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars at home, keep valuables out of sight, and follow the club’s social media for any late change of venue or kick-off time. Our guide to watching the Premier League in Nigeria covers the TV packages for European football.
Last season: how 2025/26 finished
- Champions: Enugu Rangers, 68 points (ninth title)
- Runners-up: Rivers United, 67 points
- Third: Shooting Stars, 60 points; fourth: Ikorodu City, 58 points
- CAF places: Rangers and Rivers United (Champions League); Shooting Stars and Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors (Confederation Cup)
- Relegated: Remo Stars (the 2024/25 champions), El-Kanemi Warriors, Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists
- Top scorers: Godwin Obaje (Enugu Rangers), Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars) and Jonathan Mairiga (Wikki Tourists), 14 goals each
The fact that Remo Stars went from champions to relegation in a single season shows how tight the NPFL is: only a few points separated mid-table from the drop zone last season, and this season looks the same, with just nine points between second and 19th.
Frequently asked questions
Who is top of the NPFL table?
Rivers United lead after nine matchdays on 17 points, level with champions Enugu Rangers, who have a game in hand.
Who won the NPFL last season?
Enugu Rangers won the 2025/26 title with 68 points, one ahead of Rivers United.
How many teams are relegated from the NPFL?
Four. The bottom four clubs go down to the Nigeria National League.
Which NPFL teams play in Africa?
The top two qualify for the CAF Champions League. The third-placed club and the Federation Cup winners qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
When does the 2026/27 NPFL season end?
It is scheduled to end on 30 May 2027, after a break from 23 December 2026 to 6 January 2027.
Sources
- Nigerian Matchday: NPFL table, results and fixtures (updated 21 October 2026)
- Wikipedia: 2026–27 Nigeria Premier Football League (clubs, stadiums, season dates)
- Wikipedia: 2025–26 Nigeria Premier Football League (final table and honours)
- Blueprint: How the points and goals deduction affects Inter Lagos (6 October 2026)
- ThisDay: NPFL unveils StarTimes as broadcast partner (3 November 2023)
- ThisDay: NPFL fines Inter Lagos ₦5.25m (6 October 2026)
