The National Sports Commission has officially announced that the 21st National Sports Festival will take place from November 27 to December 11, 2026, in Enugu, with the event branded as the “Coal City Games.”
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The Director General of the Commission, Bukola Olopade, confirmed the dates during the inaugural meeting of the Main Organising Committee held in Abuja.
According to the approved schedule, participating state contingents are expected to arrive between November 25 and 26, ahead of the official opening ceremony on November 27. The closing ceremony is slated for December 11.
Olopade emphasized that the timeline is “sacrosanct,” noting that the dates were finalized after extensive consultations with Peter Mbah.
He commended the Enugu State Government for its level of preparedness, particularly the pace of infrastructure development ahead of the Games.
“I must commend Governor Mbah for his tremendous enthusiasm and the pace at which facilities are being constructed,” Olopade stated, expressing confidence in the state’s readiness to host a successful festival.
The 2026 edition is also projected to be the most financially robust in the history of the National Sports Festival. Olopade highlighted the role of Premium Trust Bank as the lead sponsor, describing its contribution as “historic” and pivotal to raising the standard of the Games beyond previous editions, including the last festival held in Abeokuta.
In line with ongoing reforms under the Commission’s RHINSE agenda, aimed at reducing costs for participating states, the number of sports has been capped at 20. This includes 15 compulsory sports and five optional events selected by the host state.
The compulsory sports for the Enugu Games will feature a diverse lineup, including athletics (and para-athletics), basketball (and wheelchair basketball), football, boxing, swimming, gymnastics, wrestling, weightlifting, tennis, table tennis, badminton, cycling, judo, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts.
With preparations gathering momentum and strong institutional backing, the Coal City Games is shaping up to be a landmark edition, expected to deliver high-level competition and further strengthen Nigeria’s sports development framework.
