By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
Lagos State has been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
The prestigious annual ceremony, which celebrates Africa’s finest footballers, coaches, clubs, national teams and administrators, will be held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, in Iganmu, Lagos.
The confirmation of Lagos state marks another major milestone in Nigeria’s growing profile as a destination for continental sporting events.
Confirming the event, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu described it as a significant endorsement of Lagos’ capacity to host world-class sporting and cultural events.
He noted that the selection of Lagos reflects the confidence of the Confederation of African Football in the state’s infrastructure, hospitality and organisational capabilities.
According to him, hosting the CAF Awards will further strengthen Lagos’ reputation as a leading destination for sports tourism while providing an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage before a global audience.
The annual awards ceremony recognises outstanding achievements in African football across various categories, including players, coaches, clubs, national teams and football administrators.
Although CAF has confirmed Nigeria, Lagos and the venue for the event, the continental football governing body is yet to announce the official date for the ceremony.
Nigeria is also expected to host the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly later this year, a development that further underscores the country’s increasing role in African football administration.
The two events are expected to attract football administrators, legends of the game, players, sponsors, media organisations and stakeholders from across the continent, providing economic and tourism benefits for Lagos.
Hosting the CAF Awards is expected to boost local businesses in the hospitality, transport and entertainment sectors, while reinforcing the state’s ambition to position itself as Africa’s preferred destination for international sporting events.
Lagos has hosted several high-profile sporting competitions in recent years and continues to invest in facilities and infrastructure aimed at attracting global events.
The hosting rights for the 2026 CAF Awards come as Nigeria seeks to deepen its engagement with continental football and leverage sports as a tool for economic growth, youth development and international visibility.