Lagos to Host 2026 CAF Awards in December

The Confederation of African Football will hold its annual awards ceremony on December 7 at the Wole Soyinka Centre.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Africa

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a football mid-flight against a blurred, golden-hued stadium background, evoking the prestige of the CAF awards ceremony.
The Confederation of African Football will host its 2026 awards ceremony on December 7 at the Wole Soyinka Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that the 2026 awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 7. The event will be hosted at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.

Why it matters

This ceremony serves as the premier annual event for recognizing excellence in African football, including the naming of the African Player of the Year. The selection of Lagos highlights Nigeria as a key hub for major continental sporting events.

The awards ceremony will be held on December 7 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts. Prior to the ceremony, the 48th Ordinary General Assembly is scheduled for November 21 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

The players

Confederation of African Football

This is the governing body for football associations within the African continent.

National Sports Commission

This government body oversees the development and management of sports infrastructure and programs in Nigeria.

The details

A delegation of 15 members from the Confederation of African Football recently visited Nigeria to conduct facility inspections. Following these meetings with the National Sports Commission, organizers expect a second inspection to finalize remaining logistics.

Timeline

  1. November 21, 2026: CAF 48th Ordinary General Assembly occurs in Abuja.

  2. December 7, 2026: CAF Awards ceremony held in Lagos.

Travel Outlook

This event continues the Confederation of African Football's annual awards cycle. Hosting these high-profile gatherings in major urban centers like Lagos and Abuja aligns with broader regional efforts to increase international sports tourism in Nigeria.

Travelers planning to visit Nigeria during the general assembly or awards ceremony should anticipate increased activity in Abuja and Lagos. Booking accommodations early is recommended, as high-profile continental events frequently lead to limited hotel availability.

The takeaway

The selection of Nigeria for these high-profile events underscores the importance of local infrastructure in supporting regional sports culture. Fans should monitor official announcements for the upcoming release of award shortlists.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest events across the continent in our Africa section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Yabiladi.

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