Nigeria will host the 2026 CAF Awards after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed Lagos as the venue for the continent’s premier football awards ceremony.
The event will take place at the newly transformed Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, bringing Africa’s leading players, coaches and football officials to Nigeria for one of the sport’s biggest annual occasions.
The announcement comes during another significant period for Nigerian football. The country is also preparing to stage the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in October, further strengthening its role in African football administration. However, CAF has not yet confirmed the official date for the awards ceremony or the complete list of categories.
Lagos returns as CAF Awards host
The 2026 edition marks Nigeria’s first time hosting the CAF Awards in almost a decade. The country’s previous hosting came with the 2016 awards ceremony, staged in Abuja in January 2017, where Riyad Mahrez claimed the Men’s Player of the Year prize while Asisat Oshoala won the Women’s Player of the Year award.
The CAF Awards celebrate excellence across African football each year. The ceremony recognises outstanding achievements by players, coaches, clubs and national teams in both men’s and women’s football. Expected honours include Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year and several club and national team awards, subject to CAF’s final confirmation.
Super Eagles stars eye major honour
Hosting the ceremony could also create a memorable occasion for Nigeria if Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman wins the Men’s Player of the Year award before home supporters.
Lookman enjoyed another impressive campaign after helping Atalanta with key goals and performances, while Osimhen continued to lead the line with his goalscoring form and remains one of Africa’s most prolific forwards. Both Super Eagles attackers are widely expected to challenge for places on CAF’s final shortlist.
Only six past and present Super Eagles players have won the prestigious African Player of the Year award, making the 2026 ceremony another opportunity for Nigeria to add to its rich football history.
CAF is expected to announce further details, including the ceremony date and final award categories, in the coming months.
The confirmation further highlights Nigeria’s growing role in African football, both on and off the pitch.
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As preparations begin for the ceremony, attention will now turn to CAF’s announcement of the event date and the final nominees, with anticipation already building for one of the continent’s biggest nights in football.
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