Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs will receive 60 per cent of the league’s new $7.5 million title sponsorship deal with EUROMATCH, with the funds expected to improve players’ salaries and welfare.
The three-year partnership, valued at $2.5 million per season, was unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, with EUROMATCH announced as the new title sponsor of the NPFL ahead of the 2026/27 season.
NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye disclosed the financial structure of the deal at the unveiling, saying the decision to channel the larger share of the sponsorship revenue to clubs was aimed at ensuring that the league’s commercial growth benefits players.
“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 in recent years aimed at improving club finances, player welfare, broadcasting, branding and the overall commercial value of the competition.
Elegbeleye said the league’s commercial strategy was focused on making players the major attraction of the NPFL.
“In football and in sport generally, the athletes and the players are the attractions, not the administrators,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to allow the players to take centre stage while administrators work behind the scenes to develop the league.
The NPFL chairman also stressed that improved earnings would be essential to boosting players’ morale, 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 sponsorship as evidence that Nigeria’s decision to treat sports as a business was beginning to attract significant investment.
Dare commended the NPFL for embracing reforms and praised clubs, management and other stakeholders for sustaining the process despite challenges.
“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,” he said.
Dare said the sports-as-business policy, alongside a 10-year football master plan, was designed to attract foreign investment, strengthen branding and improve the commercial appeal of Nigerian football.
He expressed optimism that the reforms would also contribute to the development of the country’s national teams, including the Super Eagles and youth teams.
Dare further disclosed that government budgetary allocation for sports had increased from N1.9 billion to N76 billion, while stressing that increased funding must be accompanied by reforms that bring Nigerian sports in line with international standards.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau described the agreement as a major boost for Nigerian football, saying it would strengthen the NPFL and create more opportunities for clubs and players.
He assured stakeholders that the NFF would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving the standard, visibility and commercial value of domestic football.
EUROMATCH Group Chairman, Sadi Semih, described the three-year agreement as a strategic investment in Nigerian football.
Semih said the company would work with the NPFL and other stakeholders to ensure that the partnership delivers sustainable value and enhances the league’s international visibility.
The partnership comes as the NPFL prepares for the 2026/27 season amid efforts to strengthen the financial and commercial foundation of domestic football.
The league is also expected to increase its financial rewards, with the 2026/27 champions set 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 who attended the unveiling ceremony.
