2026 NWFL Championship Draws: 16 Clubs Compete For Two Premiership Promotion Spots
By Saheed Afolabi
Following the conclusion of the 2026 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship Draws in Abuja, 16 clubs have been divided into four groups as they fight to get promoted to the elite NWFL Premiership.
The 16 clubs consists of traditional powerhouses and emerging sides ready to battle for supremacy and a secure a place in the NWFL Premiership.
The 2026 NWFL Championship is scheduled to kick off on July 9, with each team playing their group in a round-robin format. The top teams from each group will advance to the last four while the two finalists will be promoted to the elite NWFL Premiership while the bottom teams in the four groups will play the relegation playoffs and the two last defeated clubs will relegate to the NWFL Nationwide.
Group A
– Delta Babes
– DreamStar Ladies FC
– Rosaria Victrix FC
– First Mahi Babes
DreamStar Ladies will enter the competition as one of the most experienced sides in the group. They will face stiff competition from Delta Babes, First Mahi Babes, and Rosaria Victrix complete the group as dark horses capable of springing surprises.
Group B
– Pelican Stars
– Gallant Queens
– Ikukuoma
– Moje Queens
Former NWFL Premiership champions, Pelican Stars have turned perennial contenders in the Championship as they headline Group B.
They will be challenged by Gallant Queens, a side renowned for their never-say-die spirit, while Ikukuoma and Moje Queens add depth to the group, with all teams expected to push for qualification.
Group C
– Rangers Women FC
– Fortress Ladies FC
– Wazbak Int’l Sports Academy
– Unification FC
NWFL Championship debutant Rangers Women FC will other competitors in the group including the Fortress Ladies FC, who have built a reputation for being difficult to break down.
Wazbak International Sports Academy and Unification FC represent the blend of youth development and tactical maturity that makes this group particularly intriguing.
Group D
– Imo Striker Queens
– Kwara Ladies
– Chosen Generation Angels FC
– Ghetto Tigers
Imo Striker Queens, Ghetto Tigers Ladies, Chosen Generation and Kwara Ladies are expected to set the pace in Group D.
However, the group will expose the dynamics and intrigues of the four clubs who fights for promotion amidst limited spot.
The 2026 NWFL Championship is scheduled to kick off on July 9-16, with each team playing their group in a round-robin format. The top teams from each group will advance to the last four while the two finalists will be promoted to the elite NWFL Premiership while the bottom teams in the four groups will play the relegation playoffs and the two last defeated clubs will relegate to the NWFL Nationwide
