Organisers of Nigeria’s leading grassroots football competition, 1xCup, have unveiled a ₦20 million prize pool for the 2026 edition as the tournament continues its mission of discovering and developing young football talents, with more than 30 former participants already securing professional contracts in Nigeria and abroad.

The organisers announced details of the fourth edition of the championship during a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos, describing this year’s competition as the biggest and most professionally organised since its launch in 2023.

The tournament will feature 100 grassroots clubs drawn from Lagos State’s five traditional football divisions of Agege, Lagos Island, Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe, with teams competing for the championship title, prize money and opportunities to impress football scouts.

Organisers said accredited scouts from clubs across Nigeria, Africa and Europe will attend the knockout stages to identify promising players capable of progressing into the professional game.

General Manager of 1xCup, Adedapo Dimeji, said the competition has evolved from a grassroots initiative into one of Nigeria’s leading football talent development platforms.

According to him, more than 180 clubs and over 5,000 players have participated in the tournament since its inception, with many participants earning opportunities to continue their careers professionally.

“Since its inception in 2023, the 1xCup has grown into one of the country’s leading platforms for discovering and developing grassroots football talent. The tournament has featured more than 180 clubs and over 5,000 players, with several participants progressing to professional football opportunities both within Nigeria, Africa and Europe,” Dimeji said.

He explained that while winning the competition remains important, the tournament’s primary objective is to provide talented young footballers with a pathway into professional football.

“The tournament is not only about winning trophies. It is about creating opportunities. Our vision is to provide talented young footballers with a professionally organised competition where they can showcase their abilities before scouts, clubs, football administrators and fans. We remain committed to creating a pathway from grassroots football to the professional game,” he added.

Over 30 players earn professional contracts

Dimeji described the tournament’s greatest achievement as the number of careers it has helped launch.

He revealed that more than 30 players who featured in the first three editions have signed professional contracts with clubs in Nigeria, across Africa and in Europe.

Among the success stories are Raheem Ibrahim Ogede of Inter Lagos, Adeoye Aderemi Jacob and Bada Moses of Ikorodu City, Lawani Clinton of Sporting Lagos FC, Martins Idowu, who joined Serbian club FK USCE, Ahisu Peter of Bulgarian side Belasitsa, Okere Ebube of North Macedonian club FK Tikves, Nwana Okechukwu of Egyptian club WE Sport Club and Kayode Akinyemi of Beninese side Hodio CNSS.

Dimeji also noted that former 1xCup players were part of Nigeria’s victorious squad at the recent Unity Cup in London, describing the achievement as further evidence of the tournament’s growing impact on football development.

He disclosed that organisers have now established a structured player-tracking system to monitor participants after each edition.

“The whole tournament started like an experiment. We did not imagine it would grow to this level, but we have now become intentional about tracking the progress of players,” he said.

Enhanced scouting and player profiling

To improve players’ chances of securing professional opportunities, organisers have introduced an expanded scouting programme for this year’s competition.

Every participant will receive a digital player profile containing performance statistics, technical assessments and personalised highlight videos from the opening match to the final.

Scouts from Nigeria, Africa and Europe will use the performance data collected throughout the competition, particularly during the knockout stages, to assess players over multiple matches rather than relying on a single performance.

Outstanding performers will also receive weekly awards, while technical assessment teams will evaluate players throughout the tournament.

“Our objective is not simply to discover one or two outstanding players. We want to create opportunities for as many deserving young footballers as possible,” Dimeji said.

100 clubs selected after rigorous screening

Technical Director and former Nigeria international Waidi Akanni revealed that almost 800 clubs applied to participate in the 2026 edition.

Following a comprehensive screening and verification exercise, only 100 clubs were selected.

“Every team went through a rigorous screening and verification process to ensure fairness and professionalism before the final selections were made,” Akanni said.

The successful teams include 24 clubs each from Agege and Lagos Island, 20 each from Badagry and Ikorodu, and 12 from Epe.

Akanni explained that Epe received fewer places because the division traditionally records fewer registrations than the other football districts.

The tournament will be played across 38 matchdays, beginning with qualifying fixtures before progressing to the group stage and knockout rounds.

Twenty-four teams will emerge from the qualifiers to join the group phase, where six groups of four teams will compete for places in the Round of 16.

Women’s competition under consideration

Organisers also revealed plans to expand the competition beyond the men’s tournament.

Head of Operations, Biodun Babalola, said discussions are already underway with stakeholders regarding the introduction of a women’s edition.

“Women’s football is definitely part of our long-term vision. We want to build it properly and ensure it meets the same high standards that 1xCup has established,” he said.

Looking beyond Lagos, Dimeji disclosed that the organisers intend to expand the competition nationwide before eventually establishing similar tournaments across Africa.

He said discussions have already commenced with stakeholders in two South-East states and one Middle Belt state, while comparable grassroots competitions inspired by the model are beginning to emerge elsewhere on the continent.

“Our vision is to take 1xCup across Nigeria and eventually across Africa, where champions from different countries can compete against one another. We believe we will achieve that goal step by step,” he said.

The 2026 edition of the tournament will kick off on July 23, with organisers expressing confidence that another generation of young footballers will emerge from community pitches to secure professional careers and further strengthen 1xCup’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s foremost football talent development platforms.