CAF Awards 2026: Lagos set to host Africa’s biggest stars as ceremony gets new date

Lagos is set to take centre stage in African football once again as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirms 2 December, 2026 as the new date for the CAF Awards ceremony, following a change to the initial schedule.

The prestigious event, which was previously scheduled for Monday, 7 December, was brought forward by five days, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) didn’t give a specific reason for that officially.

The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. Nigerian time, with Africa’s finest players, coaches, clubs, and national teams expected to converge on Nigeria’s commercial capital for one of the biggest nights on the continent’s sporting calendar.

The 2026 edition marks a return to Lagos since 2014, giving the city another chance to showcase its place in African football and entertainment.

The ceremony will take place at the iconic Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre, where the achievements of African football’s outstanding performers will be celebrated alongside the continent’s rich cultural heritage, music, and entertainment.

Eighteen award categories will be recognised at the ceremony, with the CAF Men’s Player of the Year and CAF Women’s Player of the Year awards expected to attract the biggest attention.

Beyond the headline individual honours, CAF will also recognise the contributions of coaches, goalkeepers, emerging talents, clubs and national teams whose performances have made a lasting impression on the game over the past year.

Meanwhile, the voting process for the 2026 CAF Awards is already underway, running from 5 to 20 November across the men’s and women’s categories.

CAF Member Associations and clubs are involved in the selection process, with eligible coaches and national team captains also encouraged to submit their votes in recognition of the players and teams they believe have stood out during the assessment period.

The voting structure is designed to ensure representation across different levels of African football while promoting fairness and transparency in determining the eventual winners.

CAF has also outlined provisions for independent monitoring to protect the integrity of the results.

With the countdown to 2 December now underway, Lagos is preparing to welcome the continent’s football community for a celebration that will bring together the stars, stories and achievements that have shaped another memorable year in African football.