CAF Awards 2026: Ceremony Date Changed to December 2

Lagos prepared to host the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the new date of December 2, 2026. The event was originally slated for December 7, 2026, but was moved five days earlier. CAF did not provide a public reason for this change.

The ceremony is set to commence at 7 p.m. Nigerian time, bringing together Africa's top players, coaches, clubs, and national teams for a significant night on the continent's sporting calendar. This event marks a return to Lagos for the CAF Awards since the last ceremony held there in 2014, allowing the city to highlight its role in African football and culture once more.

The celebrated occasion will take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts, commonly known as the National Theatre. This venue will showcase the accomplishments of exceptional football players, while also honoring Africa's rich cultural heritage, music, and entertainment. A total of 18 award categories will be acknowledged, with the CAF Men’s Player of the Year and CAF Women’s Player of the Year awards expected to draw the most attention.

In addition to these top individual honors, CAF will also recognize the achievements of coaches, goalkeepers, emerging talents, clubs, and national teams that made a significant impact over the past year. The voting process for the awards is already underway, running from November 5 to November 20, encompassing both men's and women's categories.

CAF Member Associations and clubs participate in the voting, while eligible coaches and national team captains are encouraged to cast their votes in recognition of exceptional players and teams during the voting period. This voting structure aims to ensure adequate representation throughout the various levels of African football, fostering fairness and transparency in determining the eventual winners. CAF has announced measures for independent monitoring to safeguard the integrity of the voting results.

With December 2 approaching, Lagos is gearing up to welcome the continent’s football community to celebrate the stars, stories, and accomplishments that defined another unforgettable year in African football.