NPFL: Top 3 favourites to win ₦1bn challenge in 2026/27 season

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is set to kickoff this weekend, and it is safe to say it is entering a new era, Soccernet.ng reports.

The league is undergoing a rebranding. And from the 2026/27 season there will be a huge financial incentive that could change the intensity of the title race.

The league champions will receive a record ₦1 billion, five times the ₦200 million that was previously awarded to the winners. At first there were fears that the organizers would not be able to meet up with this amount. But yesterday, it was confirmed that the NPFL had gotten new sponsors.

They unveiled a new three-year, $7.5 million title sponsorship deal with EuroMatch, a Poland-based private investment and gaming technology company. With this, there will be enough money to spend.

That money will be particularly attractive after a 2025/26 campaign that produced one of the closest title races in recent NPFL history.

Former @NGSuperEagles Stars thrilled by NPFL-EUROMATCH $7.5m sponsorship deal https://t.co/EqOpgvyFgJ pic.twitter.com/DvTkSAzV6o

— NPFL (@NigeriaPFL) August 27, 2026

Rangers eventually finished champions with 68 points, but Rivers United were just one point behind on 67. Shooting Stars completed the top three with 60 points, while former champions Enyimba finished a disappointing 11th. Even more surprisingly, defending champions Remo Stars were relegated after finishing 17th.

So who has the strongest case to take the new ₦1 billion prize?

1. Rivers United

The Port Harcourt club came agonisingly close to winning the title last season, finishing just one point behind Rangers after collecting 67 points from 38 matches. That was no fluke.

Rivers United were involved in the title race deep into the campaign and finished the season with 19 victories — the same number as Rangers. Their 44 goals were also only three fewer than the champions managed.

The club have also retained Finidi George as head coach/technical manager and strengthened the squad during the off-season.

They have recruited well, signing the likes of Chikamso Amaefula, Alex Oyowah, Ubong Williams, Blessed Iyamu, and goalkeeper, Clinton Andy ahead of the new campaign. That depth could be decisive.

Rivers United will also compete in the CAF Champions League after finishing second last season, meaning they face the same continental challenge as Rangers. But their preparation has been deliberate: the NPFL and NFF organised a pre-season tournament in Jos specifically to help Nigeria's continental representatives build match fitness and cohesion before their CAF campaigns.

Finidi's team therefore have both the experience and the squad to go one better. And after missing the title by a single point, the ₦1 billion prize gives Rivers United an even bigger incentive to finish the job.

2. Rangers International

As reigning champions, Rangers have earned the right to start as the favourites. But they have one major issue that just puts Rivers ahead of them.

The Enugu have won two of the last three NPFL titles, which shows the consistency they have developed under Fidelis Ilechukwu.

Their latest championship was particularly impressive because they had to withstand a sustained challenge from Rivers United. Rangers entered the final day with a one-point advantage and delivered when it mattered, defeating Ikorodu City 2-1 away from home to finish on 68 points.

Rangers have retained the core of a team that has already shown its ability to win the league, while Ilechukwu has added Azeez Falolu, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, Folarin Temitope, Abuchi Okeke and Chimezie Sunday to his squad.

3 DAYS TO GO. 🔴⚪️
🆚 Katsina United FC
🗓️ Sunday, Aug 30, 2026
⏰ 4:00 PM
🏟️ MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta
The title defense begins. Up Rangers! 🦅⚡️
The title defense begins. Up Rangers! 🦅⚡️ pic.twitter.com/sDHlawrkGm

— Rangers International FC (@Rangers_Intl) August 27, 2026

However, a concern is the workload. Rangers will compete in the NPFL, President Federation Cup and CAF Champions League this season. Their continental campaign will also begin while the domestic season is still in its early stages, potentially placing greater demands on the squad.

Their home matches is their biggest problem. Because the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium is undergoing renovation, Rangers have to play their home games at the MKO Abiola Stadium. This means that they will effectively lose their home advantage. This is very big for any club that is seriously interested in winning the league. It will definitely affect them adversely.

3. Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars are the more intriguing pick. They do not have the recent championship pedigree of Rangers or the near-miss of Rivers United, but their 2025/26 campaign suggests they could be ready to take another step forward.

The Ibadan club finished third last season with 60 points, securing Nigeria's final CAF Confederation Cup qualification spot. It was their first continental qualification in 27 years. That is a significant achievement.

Shooting Stars also proved during the season that they could compete with the league's strongest sides. They defeated Rangers 3-1 in March at the Lekan Salami Stadium, a result that briefly complicated the title race and demonstrated the quality available to the Oluyole Warriors.

However, there is a major question surrounding their chances. The club have changed coaches just before the new season, with Salisu Yusuf replacing Nurudeen Aweroro. They have also lost important players, including Ismail Ayodele, Tijani Kabiru and last season's leading assist provider Ayobami Junior.

Shooting Stars have responded with several additions, including Taheer Abubakar, Kalu Nweke, Albert Korvah, Tamuno Kalio, Issa Yusuf and Aule Johnmark.

Whether those arrivals can compensate for the departures will determine whether the club can move from continental qualification contenders to genuine title challengers.

But after finishing third last season, writing them off would be a mistake.