2026 Tico/Select Preseason Tournament Set for July with Prizes for All Teams



The 2026 edition of the Tico/Select Preseason Tournament will take place in the last week of July, organizers have confirmed.


The annual preseason event will feature 10 teams across Nigeria’s football pyramid: two football academies, two Nigeria National League One [NLO] teams, two Nigeria National League [NNL] sides, and four Nigeria Premier Football League  clubs.

Organizers say every participating team will receive 10 branded T-shirts for officials, plus 3 Select match balls. Semi-finalists will also get jerseys for the semi-final and final matches as compensation for their participation.

For the title decider, the champions will receive gold medals and a giant trophy, while the runners-up will get 25 silver medals.

The mix of NPFL, NNL, NLO teams and academies is expected to give top-flight clubs competitive build-up games, while offering lower-tier sides and academies exposure against higher-level opposition ahead of the new season.

Preseason tournaments like Tico/Select have become key fixtures in Nigeria’s football calendar, providing match fitness, squad assessment opportunities for coaches, and a platform for young players.

Full fixtures, venues, and kickoff dates are expected to be announced ahead of the last week of July.

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