By Moses Nosike

Having successfully provided a platform for the teeming football fans and brands in Nigeria to connect, engage, and create measurable consumer feedback in the last one year, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the apex local football league regulator in Nigeria, has officially endorsed ‘The Fanfest’ as the accredited fan zone platform for the 2025/26 league season.

Owned and powered by Oracle Experience Limited, The Fanfest debuted in 2024 as a vibrant gathering for thousands of football enthusiasts on NPFL match days. It quickly established itself as the premier destination for fans to share the excitement of Nigerian football outside the stadium—blending live match screenings with music, entertainment, culture, and community.

With this endorsement, The Fanfest has secured the rights from the NPFL to host official fan zones across selected cities, covering 20 match days in the upcoming season. This partnership underscores the league’s commitment to bringing football closer to its supporters while expanding the match day experience beyond the stadium gates.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Felix King Eiremiokhae, CEO of Oracle Experience, highlighted how the approval strengthens the company’s mission to enrich fan engagement through world-class experiences.

He said, “By blending Naija Football, Naija Beats, and Naija Lifestyle, The Fanfest delivers an authentic, all-in-one celebration of the game and its culture—transforming every match day into a festival of sport, music, and community.”

At the recently held NPFL Annual General Meeting, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the NPFL, said, “Indeed, the partnership with Oracle in match day fan zone activations across key cities hosting NPFL clubs and fixtures aligns with our matrix of innovation and growth through private sector collaboration.”

According to Dr. Eiremiokhae, “The Fanfest will provide brands with unique opportunities to connect with thousands of fans at every fan zone. It will also create avenues for measurable consumer feedback and relatable results, ensuring that activations translate into impactful engagement.”

The Fanfest will enhance and enliven the match day experience for fans at selected fixtures, celebrate and promote NPFL clubs and brands among Nigeria’s vibrant, youthful demographic, and equally connect brands with football communities through authentic, culture-driven experiences, he added.

Beyond football, The Fanfest serves as a hub of connection, culture, and celebration, creating powerful opportunities for brands and fans to come together.

Through this collaboration, Oracle Experience’s CEO said, “The NPFL and Oracle Experience have reaffirmed the commitment to elevating Nigerian football into a fan-first celebration of sport and lifestyle.”