The draw for the 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship has been concluded, with 16 clubs discovering their group-stage opponents ahead of the promotion tournament in Calabar, Cross River State.
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The championship, scheduled to run from July 9 to July 16, 2026, will serve as the promotion playoff for Nigeria’s second-tier women’s football league, with only two teams earning promotion to the NWFL Premiership for the 2026/27 season.
The participating clubs have been divided into four groups of four teams each following Monday’s draw.
Group A
Delta Babes
DreamStar Ladies FC
Rosaria Victrix FC
First Mahi Babes
Group B
Pelican Stars
Gallant Queens
Ikukuoma FC
Moje Queens
Group C
Rangers Women FC
Fortress Ladies FC
Wazbak Int’l Sports Academy
Unification FC
Group D
Imo Striker Queens
Kwara Ladies
Chosen Generation Angels FC
Ghetto Tigers
The competition will be hosted at the U.J. Esuene Stadium and other designated venues in Calabar, with teams battling through the group stage before the decisive playoff matches.
Apart from the race for promotion, clubs will also be aiming to avoid relegation to the NWFL Nationwide League, making every fixture crucial in the week-long tournament.
Host team Pelican Stars will be among the favourites to capitalise on home support as Cross River State prepares to welcome clubs, officials, and fans for one of the biggest events on the Nigerian women’s football calendar.
The NWFL Championship is expected to showcase emerging talents while determining the two clubs that will join the NWFL Premiership next season.
