Nigeria confirmed as host of 2026 CAF Awards in Lagos

Nigeria has officially been confirmed as the host nation for the 2026 CAF Awards, with Lagos selected to stage African football’s annual celebration of the continent’s best players, coaches, clubs and national teams.

The announcement by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) marks Nigeria’s return as host of the prestigious ceremony for the first time since 2015, ending an 11-year wait for the country.

Venue confirmed in Iganmu

The awards ceremony will be held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Iganmu, Lagos, a major cultural and events venue named after Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

CAF has confirmed the host nation, city and venue, although the official date of the ceremony has not yet been announced.

Nigeria set for major CAF double hosting role

In addition to the awards ceremony, Nigeria is also scheduled to host the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in October 2026. CAF has not yet clarified whether the two events will be held during the same period, but the possibility raises the prospect of Lagos becoming a major gathering point for African football administrators, former players and current stars later this year.

What the CAF Awards recognise

The CAF Awards are held annually to honour excellence across African football over the previous season. The ceremony traditionally covers both men’s and women’s football and includes recognition for club and international performances.

Subject to final confirmation from CAF, the 2026 edition is expected to feature awards in categories including:

• Men’s Player of the Year
• Women’s Player of the Year
• Goalkeeper of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Young Player of the Year
• Men’s Interclub Player of the Year
• Women’s Interclub Player of the Year
• National Team of the Year
• Club of the Year
• Goal of the Year

The African Player of the Year award is once again expected to be the headline honour of the evening.

Why Lagos matters for African Football

Lagos remains one of Africa’s largest sporting and entertainment hubs, and the selection of the city reflects CAF’s growing emphasis on combining football with culture, media and commercial visibility.

Hosting the ceremony is expected to bring significant international attention to Nigeria, particularly given the country’s strong football profile through teams such as the Super Eagles and Super Falcons.

The choice of a cultural venue rather than a traditional hotel ballroom also signals an effort to present African football within a broader creative and cultural setting.

Return after more than a decade

Nigeria last hosted the CAF Awards in 2015, and the 2026 edition represents an important return to the continental calendar.

Lagos is now preparing to welcome leading figures from across African football, including players, coaches, federation officials, club executives and international guests for one of the sport’s flagship annual events.

CAF is expected to release additional information in the coming months, including:

• The official ceremony date
• Ticketing and attendance details
• Final award categories
• Nomination timelines
• Broadcast arrangements

For now, the confirmation of Lagos as host provides a major boost for Nigerian football and places the city at the centre of African football’s awards calendar in 2026.

SportsLigue