NLO Cup to Use Home-and-Away Format for More Matches

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has revealed that its new NLO Cup will use a home-and-away league format. This change aims to give clubs more matches and better chances to compete.

With the new setup, how many matches each team plays will depend on the number of clubs in their zone. For example, a team in a 10-club group could play up to 18 matches. Teams in larger zones might play even more.

This format is different from the old single-match knockout style. Now, clubs will have a fuller schedule with more competitive games.

NLO Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo, explained that this new format aims to give more playing chances to clubs. It also wants to create a better competitive environment for them.

"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," Mr Ogunnowo shared with the NLO media channel.

He added that the new schedule would help clubs host more matches for their fans. It will also give players valuable experience from away games and help clubs grow their sports and business prospects.

The league also hopes this new format will boost youth development. They want to engage fans more and strengthen ties between clubs and their local communities.

To make travel easier and less stressful, the NLO said that several clubs could play their home matches at the same venues. Matches will be scheduled on weekdays or weekends to help with this.

This setup is meant to make the competition easier to manage for teams and provide a better fixture schedule.

Mr Ogunnowo mentioned that the new format would create a more organized environment for clubs to grow their teams and build a stronger competitive identity.

"The revitalised NLO Cup advances a more structured and competitive environment for NLO clubs. With more fixtures, players can showcase their skills, coaches can improve teams, and clubs can enhance their competitive identity," he said.

He also noted that the home-and-away format would allow players to experience competing in front of their home fans while preparing them for away game challenges.

"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 NLO Cup is set to start on 10 October 2026. Clubs from NLO Division One and the NLO Youth League Under-19 must pay a non-refundable registration fee of ₦1 million.

The league mentioned that this fee will cover the tournament's logistics. Payments should be made directly into its account at FCMB.

Participating clubs must provide proof of payment to the NLO Secretariat for verification and to complete their registration.

This competition is part of the NLO's plan to create more playing chances, improve talent development, and increase visibility for clubs and players in Nigeria's lower-tier football.