NLO Cup Adopts Home-and-Away Format to Boost Fixtures, Club Exposure
Oru Leonard
The Nationwide League One (NLO) has unveiled a new format for its NLO Cup, with participating clubs set to play a home-and-away league system designed to guarantee more competitive fixtures and playing opportunities.
Under the new format, the number of matches each club plays will depend on the number of teams in its respective zone. A team in a 10-team group, for instance, could play approximately 18 matches, with the possibility of more fixtures where additional teams are involved.
The NLO also said multiple clubs may use the same venues for their home fixtures, either on weekdays or weekends, a measure expected to reduce unnecessary travel and facilitate smoother organisation of matches.
Speaking through the NLO media channel, the League’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Olushola Ogunnowo, said the new format would provide clubs with significantly more opportunities to compete than the traditional knockout system.
“A key benefit of the new NLO Cup format is the guaranteed increase in match opportunities. Instead of a single knockout fixture, the league format provides a broader schedule of competitive games,” Ogunnowo said.
According to him, the expanded fixture schedule will enable clubs to host more matches before their supporters, gain greater experience from away fixtures, expose players to sustained competitive football, develop young talents and strengthen fan and community engagement.
He added that the increased number of matches could also improve the sporting and commercial prospects of participating clubs.
Ogunnowo said the revitalised competition would create a more structured and competitive environment for NLO clubs, while providing players with opportunities to showcase their abilities and coaches with more games through which to develop their teams.
“The home-and-away format will motivate clubs to enjoy the excitement of playing in front of supporters and to tackle the challenges of away games,” he added.
The new NLO Cup structure is expected to provide clubs with more games, wider exposure and greater opportunities for sporting development, while aligning the competition with evolving approaches to league organisation.
The new NLO Cup is scheduled to officially commence on October 10, 2026.
Eligible clubs from NLO Division 1 and the NLO Youth League U19 are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee of ₦1 million to participate.
The registration fee, according to the NLO, covers tournament logistics and is to be paid directly into the FCMB Bank Nationwide League One account: 3267800014.
Clubs are required to forward proof of payment to the NLO Secretariat for verification.
