By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL champions, Rangers International FC will begin their title defence in the new 2026/2027 League season against Katsina United while runner-up, Rivers United will tackle Plateau United.

The fixtures are part of the match week one schedules of the new season released by the league organisers after its Annual General Meeting in Oyo, on Friday

In other pairings to mark the commencement of the league on August 28, 2026 Federation Cup finalist, Ikorodu City will battle newcomers Ranchers Bees, Abịa Warriors will play Kun Khalifat in the first Oriental Derby of the season while Barau FC will take on Nasarawa United.

Other schedules include, Bendel Insurance will trade tackles with Warri Wolves in Benin, Kwara United will encounter Kano Pillars, Niger Tornadoes will size Enyimba in Minna, returnees, Doma United will face fellow newcomers, Sporting Lagos.

The opening match of the season is a West Derby with Shooting Stars squaring up against debutants, Inter Lagos.

Below are fixtures for Week One of the 2026/2027 NPFL season:

Ikorodu City FC vs Ranchers Bees

Abia Warriors vs Kun Khalifat FC

Barau FC vs Nasarawa United

Bendel Insurance vs Warri Wolves

Enugu Rangers vs Katsina United

Rivers United vs Plateau United FC

Kwara United vs Kano Pillars

Niger Tornadoes vs Enyimba FC

Shooting Stars vs Inter Lagos

Doma United vs Sporting Lagos

The season will end on May 30 while the med-season break will hold from December 23, 2026 to January 6, 2027.