NPFL Plans VAR Rollout Ahead of August Kick-Off, Seeks Sponsors for Equipment and Training

NPFL plans to start using VAR next season but needs sponsors to fund it.

Referees trained and ready, but full rollout depends on getting financial support.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is preparing to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology for the 2025/26 season, but is facing financial hurdles that may delay implementation. According to NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye, the league is actively searching for sponsors to fund the purchase of VAR equipment and cover training costs for officials.

In a public statement, Elegbeleye explained, “We are ready to go the VAR way, but these machines are expensive, and officials must be trained to use them effectively.” He stressed the importance of adopting VAR technology to enhance officiating accuracy and restore fan confidence, especially following several controversial refereeing decisions in recent seasons.

Despite commending Nigerian referees as “among the best in the world,” the NPFL boss noted that integrating VAR is now essential to ensure fairness and credibility in match officiating. To begin this transformation, the league has already equipped referees with communication gadgets during the 2024/25 campaign. These tools allow real-time coordination between on-field officials and VAR teams, reducing the need for constant screen checks and improving match flow.

In a significant step forward, ten Nigerian referees were recently sent to Morocco for specialized VAR training. This international exposure is expected to fast-track the league’s readiness once full sponsorship is secured.

Efforts to install the system have continued behind the scenes, with NPFL officials engaging in virtual meetings with global VAR technology providers to finalize logistics and deployment strategies. However, the lack of committed sponsors remains a key obstacle.

The NPFL is targeting an August 22, 2025 start date for the new season, but the successful rollout of VAR by that date hinges entirely on how quickly sponsorship agreements are reached. Without financial backing, the league may have to delay the system’s launch or implement it in phases.

The need for improved officiating has been a recurring concern in Nigerian football, with fans and clubs alike calling for better transparency and accountability. VAR, already in use in many top leagues around the world, is viewed as a game-changing solution for ensuring accurate decisions, particularly in high-stakes moments like penalties, red cards, and offside rulings.

In addition to VAR training, the NPFL has also increased referees’ salaries by 50% in a bid to raise officiating standards and attract higher-quality officials. These moves are part of a broader reform strategy aimed at elevating the league’s image and competitiveness.

With preparations in motion, the NPFL is optimistic that interested partners will step forward to help finance the VAR project, which could be a historic milestone for Nigerian football. Industry observers believe that the successful deployment of VAR could make the NPFL more appealing to broadcasters, sponsors, and international audiences.

As clubs prepare for the new season, stakeholders await confirmation on whether VAR will be fully operational by kick-off. For now, all eyes are on the NPFL’s ability to secure the required backing in time.