By Bosun Adeyemi
The 2025 1xBet Football Competition has officially kicked off in Lagos, bringing together 68 talented teams from across the state to battle it out for a massive prize of ₦20 million. The tournament, one of the biggest grassroots football competitions in Nigeria, is being held at the state-of-the-art Inspire Sports Arena in Oshodi, Lagos.
As the teams take to the pitch, the energy is electric. The players are hungry for victory, and the crowd is cheering them on.
The competition is fierce, with each team determined to outdo the others and claim the coveted title. The 1xBet Cup is more than just a tournament – it’s a platform for young players to showcase their skills and potentially launch their professional careers.
The tournament will run from July 8 to October 16, 2025, with the final match taking place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on October 16, 2025.
The prize money of ₦20 million will be awarded to the winner, with half going to the champion and the rest distributed among special award winners, including top scorer, MVP, best goal, best goalkeeper, best team, best coach, and fan favorite.
According to Waheed Akanni, a former Nigerian international and the brain behind the 1xBet competition, the tournament is a golden opportunity to rebuild the pipeline of talented young players and put Nigeria back on the map for grassroots talent.
“Some of Nigeria’s greatest footballers emerged from community pitches,” Akanni said. “The 1XCup is a chance to give back to the game and to the country.”
The 1xBet Cup has already seen some exciting matches, and fans are eager to see which team will emerge victorious.
With its commitment to promoting grassroots football, 1xBet is helping to shape the future of the sport in Nigeria. Bariga FC won the maiden edition of the competition in 2023, while Bethel FC defeated Gunner’s Link 2-1 in the last edition.