Africa’s football governing body has officially announced updated scheduling and venue details for the upcoming 2026 CAF Awards.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has moved the ceremony up by five days, shifting the event from December 7 to December 2, 2026. In an official statement released on Tuesday, CAF confirmed that the grand gala will be hosted at the Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts – formerly recognized as the National Theatre – located in Lagos.
According to CAF, the adjustment brings the continent’s top players, coaches, and teams together slightly earlier for one of the most prestigious nights in African sports. This year’s ceremony holds special historic weight as Lagos welcomes back the event for the first time since 2014.
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Across 18 distinct categories, the gala will honor exceptional achievements from the past year. The spotlight will naturally shine on the premier men’s and women’s Player of the Year honors, alongside accolades recognizing standout coaches, goalkeepers, rising stars, clubs, and national squads. A notable talking point heading into the gala has been the absence of Nigerian players from the top tier of nominations.
When is the new date for 2026 CAF Awards?
Meanwhile, voting is currently underway, having kicked off on November 5 with a scheduled close date of November 20. To maintain credibility and transparency, CAF stated that the voting panel includes national team coaches, captains, and representatives from member associations and clubs, backed by independent monitoring protocols.
With the date locked in for December 2, excitement is mounting across the continent as African football’s premier awards celebration makes its long-awaited return to Nigeria.
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