Revamped NLO Cup kicks off Oct 10 with N1m registration fee
By Teddy Nwanunobi
Barring last-minute changes from the organisers of the Nationwide League One (NLO) Cup, the revamped competition will kickoff on October 10, 2026.
This is even as the participating clubs are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee of N1 million, the NLO Secretariat disclosed in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement contains guidelines on the competition’s registration process, payment procedures, format, and international broadcasting arrangements.
According to the statement, eligible clubs from NLO Division One and the NLO Youth League Under-19 must pay the fee to confirm their participation.
It said the payment would cover tournament logistics and should be made directly into the official FCMB Nationwide League One account.
Clubs must also submit proof of payment to the NLO secretariat for verification, along with details of their proposed home grounds, before the deadline to secure their zone placement.
The statement said the revamped competition would adopt a regional home-and-away format, with participating clubs allowed to select their preferred home grounds.
It added that clubs facing logistical challenges could, with the league’s approval, share grounds with nearby teams to ensure smooth fixture scheduling.
The NLO said all matches would be live-streamed on its official platform as part of efforts to enhance players’ exposure, promote return on investment and support player development.
It said the digital coverage would allow international scouts, club directors and foreign agents to monitor players’ performances in real time.
The statement identified Futbol Connect, a global talent platform that links players with scouts, agencies and clubs worldwide, as one of the competition’s technology partners.
It added that SofaScore would provide live scores, detailed player statistics and analytics globally, while Zkyte Technologies would provide streaming, digital infrastructure and broadcasting technology.
The NLO further directed participating clubs to update their team rosters and player profiles for registration, digital media and broadcast purposes.
The league urged clubs to maximise the competition’s digital exposure to improve their players’ chances of securing international opportunities.
Similarly, the NLO has fixed September 19 to September 27 for zonal play-offs involving State League winners and runners-up seeking entry into the NLO Division Two Under-19 Youth League.
NLO said the play-offs would determine which teams are eligible to participate in the Division Two Under-19 Youth League.
According to the NLO notice, the matches will take place across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The NLO directed all participating teams to obtain their licences directly from the NLO secretariat before the matches begin.
The play-offs form part of the league’s structure for providing a pathway for State League teams to progress into the NLO Division Two Under-19 Youth League.