Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Remo Stars, will return to their home ground in Ikenne for the second stanza of the 2025/26 season following the completion of renovation works at the Remo Stars Stadium.
The Sky Blue Stars are set to make their long-awaited homecoming on January 14 2026, when they host Ikorodu City FC in a Matchday 20 encounter—bringing to an end a five-month spell away from Ikenne.
Stadium Ready After Major Renovation
Remo Stars chairman, Kunle Soname, confirmed that the stadium is fully ready to host league matches again, with the renovation works on the pitch successfully completed and certified.
“Renovation of the pitch has been completed and has been certified, even by the FIFA inspection team. Our first game will be against Ikorodu City when the second stanza of the season resumes,” Soname said.
Originally opened in 2020 and hosting its first NPFL fixture in 2021 following the club’s promotion from the second division, the stadium’s hybrid synthetic turf has now been replaced with a new playing surface after five years of use.
Challenging Spell Away From Home
At the start of the season in August 2025, Remo Stars adopted the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, as their temporary home while renovation works were ongoing in Ikenne.
However, life in Abeokuta proved difficult for the champions.
They opened the campaign with a 1–1 draw against Rivers United on August 22, before suffering home defeats to Rangers International on November 13 and Bendel Insurance, who edged them 3–2 on December 21.
Continental Setback
Remo Stars also played their CAF Champions League preliminary matches in Abeokuta but once again fell short of reaching the group stage.
They swept aside Comoros champions Zilimadjou with a 5–0 aggregate win in the first round, only to be comprehensively outclassed by Mamelodi Sundowns.
The South African giants sealed a dominant 7–1 aggregate victory, winning 5–1 in Nigeria in October before completing the rout on home soil.
Looking for a Revival
Currently 16th on the NPFL table with 22 points from 19 matches,
Remo Stars will be hoping their return to Ikenne provides the spark needed to revive their title defence as the second stanza gets underway.
The return to Ikenne marks a significant moment for Remo Stars—and Matchday 20 promises a compelling start to the second half of the NPFL season.
Matchday 20 Fixtures at a Glance
Kwara United vs Bendel Insurance
Barau FC vs Niger Tornadoes
Remo Stars vs Ikorodu City
Shooting Stars SC vs Enyimba
El-Kanemi Warriors vs Bayelsa United
Wikki Tourist vs Warri Wolves
Enugu Rangers vs Rivers United
Katsina United vs Kun Khalifat FC
Abia Warriors vs Plateau United
Nasarawa United vs Kano Pillars
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