Enugu Emerged 2026 National Sports Festival Venue

Enugu State has been declared to host the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival in 2026.

Director-General, National Sports Commission, NSC, Bukola Olopade, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The decision was made known after a top management meeting of the NSC.

According to Olopade, Enugu emerged after a competitive bidding process and the state is set to deliver a world-class event.

The biennial multi-sports event, brings together thousands of athletes from the 36 states and the FCT to celebrate sportsmanship, national unity and sporting excellence.

Meanwhile, the 22nd edition of the festival is set to be held in January 2025 in Ogun state.

Olopade, the former chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the Ogun 2025 NSF revealed that the Games will host over 15,000 athletes.

He reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to supporting Ogun in delivering a premium tournament.

“With Enugu’s selection for the 23rd edition, the festival promises to uphold its legacy of excellence, inclusivity, and showcasing the best of Nigerian sports talent.

“This marks the first time the South-Eastern State will be staging the event since its inception in 1973,” he said.

He stressed that the early announcement of Enugu would give the state enough time to prepare adequately for the Games and also enhance the corporate image of the Festival.