1xCUP raises prize to ₦20m as over 30 players advance to pro football

More than 30 players who featured in previous editions of the 1xCUP grassroots football tournament have progressed to professional clubs in Nigeria, other African countries, and Europe, the competition’s General Manager, Dimeji Adedapo, has said.

Mr Adedapo disclosed this in Lagos on Friday at the final group-stage draw for the 2026 edition of the competition, which began with 100 teams competing for 24 places in the main tournament.

The development highlights the growing focus on using grassroots competitions as a pathway for young players seeking opportunities beyond local football.

“This competition started in 2023 as an experiment by the brand 1xBet, and it is an answer to: what can we give back to the society where we operate?” Mr Adedapo said.

He said the organisers identified talented young players who lacked platforms to attract attention from scouts and professional clubs.

“We see them every day, and we decided: let’s create the platform for them to showcase their talents, and whatever happens next is fine. And since 2023, we have had an amazing record,” he said.

Mr Adedapo said more than 30 players who have featured in the tournament now play professional football.

The fourth edition has reduced the initial field of 100 teams to 24, with the surviving clubs drawn into six groups of four.

The group stage begins on Tuesday and runs until 8 October, while the final is scheduled for 31 October at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

The 24 teams are competing for a total prize pool of ₦20 million, with the champions set to receive ₦10 million, the runners-up ₦5 million and the third-placed team ₦3 million.

Individual awards will also be presented to outstanding players and coaches, including the Most Valuable Player, top goalscorer, best goalkeeper, and best coach.

From ₦1 million to ₦20 million

Adedapo said the competition started in 2023 with a ₦1 million grand prize, with matches played across different parts of Lagos.

Shomolu Bariga FC won the inaugural edition.

Following the tournament’s response and the quality of the players involved, the organisers increased the prize structure in 2024.

“In 2024, after we saw the reception of the competition by the teams and what these young talents can do, we upped the grand prize from ₦1 million to ₦20 million,” he said.

Adedapo said preparations for the competition typically take several months. The 2026 qualification phase ran from 23 July to 4 September, with 100 teams participating over 20 days.

He said the organisers have also invested in video coverage to help players build a record of their performances that can be presented to scouts.

“We know that many of these young talents and grassroots football teams, when there’s an opportunity to sell their players, don’t have what to show to scouts,” Mr Adedapo said.

“But when you go to the 1xCUP Nigeria Bet YouTube platform, you can pick a lot of clips. We even do individual clips for fantastic players.”

24 teams enter decisive stage

The draw produced six groups.

Group A: Vido SC, Emiloju FC, JP Young Stars FC, BYT Academicals FC.

Group B: NewHope Naija FC, Divine Praise FC, Kiraa FA, Crusaders FC.

Group C: Ajuwa FC, Tonic FC, Joy Cometh FC, Mega 22 FC.

Group D: 36 Lions, Ighalo Football Academy, Maryland United FC, Crystal FC.

Group E: Inspire Sports Academy, Young Strikers FC, Dynamic FC, AMA Smile FC.

Group F: Collins Edwin Sports Club, ECAs FC, Elite Stars FC, AUX FC.

The top two teams in each group will qualify automatically for the knockout stage, while the four best third-placed teams will complete the 16-team knockout field.

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However, Mr Adedapo urged the participating teams to improve their discipline and punctuality, as previous editions saw teams arriving late or failing to fulfil fixtures.

“It is not encouraging. Teams should realise that the only thing they can give back to us in the competition is their cooperation,” he said.

He stressed that teams do not pay registration fees to participate.

“It is a 100 per cent free competition. We are not taking registration fees from anyone. Even after the competition, if you win, you get ₦10 million without paying a dime, and they have a good platform — everything,” he said.

He urged the 24 teams to respect the competition’s schedules and rules.

“So, I am using this opportunity to appeal to the 24 teams in this year’s competition to please adhere to time and enjoy the tournament,” he said.

Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju, sports veteran Dimeji Lawal and representatives of government, youth development and the sports sector attended the draw.

With the group stage set to begin, the tournament now enters the phase where its stated objective of identifying players for professional opportunities will be tested alongside the battle for the title and ₦10 million first prize.