Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer gets a kick-off date

Organisers confirmed Season 3 of the Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer tournament will begin in April 2026 across Lagos.

The organisers of the Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tournament have officially announced that the third season of the grassroots competition will kick off in April 2026, with divisional qualifiers scheduled across Lagos State’s five football divisions.

The announcement was made during a media briefing held in Lagos on Tuesday, where officials unveiled the roadmap for the new season, promising a bigger and more inclusive tournament format.

Registration opens February 18

Team registration will begin on Wednesday, February 18, via the tournament’s official website. However, participation comes with a key requirement: all teams must be affiliated with the Lagos State Football Association through their respective Divisional Football Associations.

In a significant shift from previous editions, the minimum age limit of 19 years has been scrapped. The move is expected to encourage wider participation and allow younger talents to compete on a recognised platform.

Organisers believe the change will deepen talent discovery and enhance the competitive level of the tournament.

Beyond football, Season 3 will continue the innovative “Tech-Meet-Sports” initiative introduced in 2025. Developed in collaboration with technology professionals, the program provides players with training in modern, in-demand skills such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, coding, and graphic design.

Tournament founder Bankole Alibay, speaking virtually from the United States, expressed confidence that the upcoming edition would surpass previous seasons.

“We are excited about every edition of the tournament. You can rest assured that Season 3 will surpass what we have done in the past in all ramifications,” Alibay said.

The 2025 edition saw Lagos Island-based side White Tigers crowned champions, clinching the ₦5 million grand prize after an impressive campaign.