Race to NWFL Premiership Promotion Begins as 2026 NWFL Championship Groups Are Confirmed

Race to NWFL Premiership Promotion Begins as 2026 NWFL Championship Groups Are Confirmed

The race for promotion to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership officially begins after the draw for the 2026 NWFL Championship produced the group-stage fixtures for the 16 participating clubs.

The second-tier promotion tournament will take place in Calabar, Cross River State, from July 9 to July 16, with only two teams set to earn promotion to the NWFL Premiership for the 2026/27 season.

Following Monday’s draw, the clubs were split into four groups of four teams.

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

Matches will be played at the U.J. Esuene Stadium and other designated venues in Calabar, where teams will battle through the group phase before the promotion playoffs.

In addition to chasing one of the two coveted Premiership tickets, clubs must also avoid relegation to the NWFL Nationwide League, ensuring every match carries significant stakes.

Hosts Pelican Stars will hope to take advantage of home support, while the tournament is expected to provide another platform for some of Nigeria’s brightest women’s football talents to shine.

By the end of the week-long competition, two clubs will have secured their places in the NWFL Premiership, while others will be left to regroup for another promotion challenge.