Politics
₦20m up for grabs as 1xCup builds on record of producing over 30 professional football stars
Organisers of Nigeria’s leading grassroots football competition, 1xCup, have announced a ₦20 million prize package for the 2026 edition as they intensify efforts to discover and develop the country’s next generation of football stars after producing more than 30 players who have gone on to sign professional contracts in Nigeria, Africa and Europe.
The organisers unveiled plans for the fourth edition of the championship during a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, describing this year’s tournament as the biggest and most professionally organised since its inception in 2023.
The 2026 edition will feature 100 grassroots clubs from the five traditional football divisions of Lagos State—Agege, Lagos Island, Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe—competing not only for the championship title and the pride of their communities but also for a share of the ₦20 million prize pool.
More importantly, organisers say the competition has become a launch pad for aspiring footballers, with accredited scouts from clubs across Nigeria, Africa and Europe expected to attend the knockout stages in search of emerging talents.
Speaking at the event, General Manager of 1xCup, Adedapo Dimeji, said the tournament has grown remarkably over the past three years, evolving from a grassroots football initiative into one of Nigeria’s foremost talent development platforms.
According to him, the competition has featured more than 180 clubs and over 5,000 players, many of whom have gone on to pursue professional careers.
“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 stressed that while trophies and prize money remain important, the competition’s primary objective is to create life-changing opportunities for young footballers.
“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.”
More than 30 players now professionals
Dimeji described the tournament’s greatest achievement as the number of careers it has helped launch.
According to him, more than 30 players who featured in the first three editions have now signed their first professional contracts with clubs in Nigeria and overseas.
Among the competition’s most notable success stories are Raheem Ibrahim Ogede, who now plays for Inter Lagos, Adeoye Aderemi Jacob and Bada Moses, both of Ikorodu City, Lawani Clinton of Sporting Lagos FC, Martins Idowu, who secured a move to Serbian club FK USCE, Ahisu Peter, now with Bulgarian side Belasitsa, Okere Ebube, who joined North Macedonian club FK Tikves, Nwana Okechukwu, now playing for Egyptian side WE Sport Club, and Kayode Akinyemi, who moved to Beninese club Hodio CNSS.
Dimeji also recalled the recently concluded Unity Cup in London, noting that former 1xCup players represented Nigeria and were part of the squad that lifted the trophy.
“These achievements reassure us that 1xCup is truly serving as a platform for discovering and developing football talent,” he said.
He added that the organisers have now established a structured player-tracking system to monitor participants long after the tournament ends.
“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.”
Enhanced scouting programme
Determined to increase the number of players securing professional opportunities, organisers have introduced what they describe as the most comprehensive scouting programme in the tournament’s history.
According to Dimeji, every participating footballer will have an individual digital profile supported by performance statistics, technical assessments and personalised highlight videos from the opening match through to the final.
Accredited scouts from clubs in Nigeria, Africa and Europe will monitor the tournament, particularly during the knockout stages, using weeks of performance data rather than judging players on a single match.
Outstanding performers will also receive Player of the Week awards, while dedicated technical assessment teams will evaluate players throughout the competition.
“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 from nearly 800 applicants
Technical Director Waidi Akanni, a former Super Eagles defender, disclosed that interest in the competition continues to grow.
According to him, nearly 800 clubs applied to participate in this year’s tournament, but only 100 teams met the required standards after a rigorous screening and verification process.
“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 clubs comprise 24 teams each from Agege and Lagos Island, 20 each from Badagry and Ikorodu, and 12 from Epe.
Akanni explained that Epe received fewer slots because the division has historically recorded lower registration numbers.
The tournament will run over 38 matchdays, beginning with qualifying fixtures before progressing to the group stage and knockout rounds.
Twenty-four teams will emerge from the qualifiers and be drawn into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 16.
Professional players ineligible
To preserve the competition’s grassroots identity, organisers confirmed that active professional footballers will not be eligible to compete.
Each participating club will register 25 players, all of whom will undergo comprehensive eligibility verification.
However, clubs will be permitted to include up to five players aged between 16 and 18, a move organisers say is aimed at accelerating youth development.
Women’s competition and expansion plans
The organisers also revealed that discussions are ongoing to introduce a women’s version of 1xCup in future editions.
Head of Operations, Biodun Babalola, said consultations had already begun with stakeholders in grassroots women’s football.
“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.”
Beyond Lagos, Dimeji disclosed that the organisers are working towards expanding the competition nationwide before eventually taking the model across Africa.
He said discussions are already underway with stakeholders in two South-East states and one Middle Belt state, while similar grassroots competitions have already begun emerging in other African countries.
“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.”
The 2026 1xCup tournament kicks off on July 23, with 1XBET confident that another generation of footballers will emerge from community pitches to sign professional contracts, further cementing the competition’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading talent factories.
