CAF Awards 2026: Lagos to Host African Football’s Biggest Night
Event Details
Event: CAF Awards 2026
Host City: Lagos, Nigeria
Venue: Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts
Also Hosting: 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly
Organiser: Confederation of African Football (CAF)
Status: Official date and nominees to be announced
Lagos is set to shine once again as the Confederation of African Football confirmed the city will host the 2026 CAF Awards. The glamorous ceremony that crowns the continent’s best players, coaches and teams will take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, giving Nigeria a prominent place on the African football calendar.
The announcement marks a strong return for Nigeria, which last hosted the awards nearly a decade ago. Alongside the awards night, the country will also stage the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly, bringing together leaders from all 54 member associations. Together the two events underline the trust the continental body has placed in Nigeria’s ability to deliver major football occasions.
Every year the CAF Awards celebrate the finest individual and collective performances across African football. Categories traditionally include African Player of the Year, African Women’s Player of the Year, best coaches, goalkeepers, young talents, clubs and national teams. The evening gathers federation presidents, legendary players, coaches and key figures from the game, turning the host city into a temporary capital of African football.
Choosing Lagos reflects confidence in the city’s infrastructure and proven track record of staging large international events. The Wole Soyinka Centre, named after Africa’s first Nobel laureate in literature, offers a fitting cultural backdrop for a night that blends sport with celebration. CAF is expected to release the official date of the ceremony and the full list of nominees in the coming months.
For Nigeria the dual hosting of the awards and the General Assembly strengthens its position among the heavyweights of African football. It also offers a chance to showcase the country’s organisational capacity and hospitality to the wider continent. As preparations gather pace, attention will turn to the stars who will walk the red carpet and the names that will ultimately lift the trophies.
The Confederation of African Football continues to expand the reach and prestige of its annual awards. With Lagos ready to welcome the continent’s football family, the 2026 edition promises another memorable night for African football.
