Lagos State has been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 CAF Awards, Africa’s premier football recognition ceremony.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu, disclosed this on Saturday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to Fatodu, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, Iganmu, has been chosen as the venue for the prestigious event.
The CAF Awards celebrate the achievements of Africa’s finest football talents, including players, coaches, clubs, national teams and football administrators.
The hosting rights further strengthen Nigeria’s reputation as a major destination for continental sporting events and highlight the country’s continued contribution to the development and promotion of African football.
The annual ceremony is expected to attract some of the continent’s biggest football stars and stakeholders, as it recognises outstanding performances from the previous year in both club and international competitions.
The selection of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts adds another major event to the history of the iconic Lagos landmark, which has become a representation of Nigeria’s cultural and creative transformation.
The 2026 CAF Awards will recognise winners across several categories, including Men’s Player of the Year, Women’s Player of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year and Club of the Year.
Nigeria was also previously announced as the host of the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly scheduled for October.
The country’s selection for major CAF events reinforces its growing status as a hub for continental sporting activities.
Nigeria previously hosted the CAF Awards in 2015 at the Eko Hotels and Convention Centre, Lagos, and later hosted the ceremony in January 2017 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
During the 2017 edition, Morocco’s Riyad Mahrez won the Men’s Player of the Year award, beating Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Senegal’s Sadio Mané to the prize.
Former Super Falcons captain Asisat Oshoala also emerged as the Women’s Player of the Year at the ceremony.