The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has secured a new three-year title sponsorship agreement worth $7.5 million with EUROMATCH, with 60 per cent of the revenue set to go directly to participating clubs.
The partnership, valued at $2.5 million per season, was unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, with EUROMATCH confirmed as the league’s new title sponsor ahead of the 2026/27 season.
NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the decision to allocate the larger share of the sponsorship income to clubs was designed to ensure that the league’s commercial growth directly improves players’ wages and welfare.
“Let me announce to you that the deal is about $2.5m every season from EUROMATCH for three seasons. That is $7.5m,” Elegbeleye said.
“That will help in increasing players’ wages. Of course, we don’t give the money to the clubs ourselves, but 60 per cent goes straight to the clubs. That is the agreement. This must be reflected in the welfare of the footballers.”
The sponsorship represents a major commercial boost for the domestic league, which has undergone several reforms focused on improving club finances, player welfare, broadcasting, branding and the overall commercial value of the competition.
Elegbeleye stressed that the league’s commercial strategy was primarily about creating better opportunities for the players, whom he described as the main attraction of football.
“In football and in sport generally, the athletes and the players are the attractions, not the administrators. To be honest, there are players that we want to promote, not those of us who are the administrators.
“The fact is that it is not my business to be in the public eye here. The business is about the players. Nigerians should know them. It is not the business of an administrator to be showing his face everywhere. I can be there, but I should appear in the background.
“Let our players shine. Let the world know them. Let our league be known. Those of us behind the scenes, let our work reflect and let our work show,” he said.
The NPFL chairman added that higher earnings would play an important role in improving players’ motivation, welfare and productivity.
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described the agreement as evidence that Nigeria’s decision to position sports as a business was beginning to attract significant investment.
Dare praised the NPFL for embracing reforms and acknowledged the efforts of clubs, management, owners and other stakeholders in sustaining the changes despite challenges over the past three years.
“First, I think the NPFL must be commended for embracing change and reforms. I know the last three-plus years have not been easy for them, but they have kept at it,” he said.
“Also, especially the clubs, the management and ownership of the clubs, and the key stakeholders have keyed into that change. And this is what happens when you embrace change that is progressive: you attract investment.
“Seeing this come to life, $7.5m over the next three years is massive. But also, it speaks to the effort we made when we classified sports as a business.”
According to Dare, the reforms are supported by a 10-year football master plan aimed at developing the sport, attracting foreign direct investment, strengthening branding and increasing the commercial appeal of Nigerian football.
He said the developments could also have a positive effect on the country’s national teams.
“I think that will also impact what we see in our national teams—the Super Eagles, the Under-20, Under-17 and others,” Dare said.
Dare further disclosed that government funding for sports had increased from N1.9 billion to N76 billion, while stressing that increased public spending must be accompanied by reforms that bring Nigerian sports closer to international standards.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, described the sponsorship as a significant development for Nigerian football.
He said the agreement would strengthen the NPFL while creating more opportunities for clubs and players. Gusau also pledged continued NFF support for initiatives aimed at improving the standard, visibility and commercial value of domestic football.
Group Chairman of EUROMATCH GROUP, Sadi Semih, said the company views the three-year agreement as a strategic investment in Nigerian football.
He said EUROMATCH would work with the NPFL and other stakeholders to ensure the partnership delivers sustainable value and increases the league’s international visibility.
The agreement comes as the NPFL prepares for the 2026/27 season and continues efforts to build a stronger financial and commercial foundation for domestic football.
The league is also expected to increase its financial rewards for participating clubs, with the 2026/27 champions projected to receive a record N1 billion prize, according to the National Sports Commission.
Former Super Eagles stars Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen and Brown Ideye were among the dignitaries present at the unveiling of the new partnership.
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