The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board has issued a directive to all participating clubs to upgrade some facilities at their home grounds ahead of the 2025/26 season.
This comes less than a month after the end of the 2024/25 season, which saw Remo Stars clinch their first-ever domestic title.
Ahead of the incoming season which is expected to start in August, the league body has stressed the urgent need for clubs to upgrade stadium infrastructure or face losing the right to host matches.
The required stadium infrastructure upgrades are standard LED floodlights and a backup generator for electricity.
In an official statement from the NPFL to the clubs, by the Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the NPFL said, ‘Clubs must install and maintain LED floodlights that meet the required illuminance levels to facilitate night matches.
‘A reliable backup power source is mandatory to guarantee uninterrupted lighting during games, even if the main electricity supply fails.
‘These facilities and other grade A infrastructure criteria must be in place and fully functional before our routine stadium inspection. Failure to meet these requirements may affect your club’s usage of your primary home ground in the upcoming season’, the letter read.
In previous seasons, the NPFL board has prevented clubs from hosting matches at their home grounds due to failure to meet the league’s standard.
With Heartland, Akwa United, Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars relegated, champions Remo Stars and 15 other clubs are awaiting the four newcomers from the Nigeria National League ahead of next season.
