The 2026 Nationwide League One (NLO) season will begin on Friday, 10th April with an opening match at McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi. The fixture features a local derby between Benue-based teams Flight FC and NYSC FC. The game marks the official start of the new NLO campaign.
💡 NaijaBuzz Take
The choice of Makurdi to host the NLO season opener highlights the growing visibility of grassroots football in Nigeria's secondary cities. For students involved in sports at the state or school level, this could inspire greater interest in pursuing football as a viable extracurricular or career path.
