The Confederation of African Football has shifted the date of its 2026 CAF Awards ceremony, moving the event forward from Monday, 7 December, to Wednesday, 2 December 2026.

The gala evening will be held at the Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Arts — better known as the National Theatre — in Lagos, Nigeria. Proceedings are set to kick off at 7:00 pm local time.

Nigeria hosts for the first time since 2014

The occasion carries historical weight: Nigeria will be hosting the CAF Awards for the first time since the 2014 edition, marking a long-awaited return for the country's football community.

Across 18 categories, the ceremony will recognise exceptional performances and contributions to African football. The CAF Men's Player of the Year and CAF Women's Player of the Year awards are expected to serve as the centrepiece of the night.

Beyond the headline honours, the evening will also celebrate coaches, goalkeepers, emerging talents, clubs, and national teams that have left their mark on the continent's game throughout the year.

Voting now open

The voting process for the 2026 CAF Awards is currently underway and will remain open from 5 to 20 November, covering both the men's and women's categories.

CAF Member Associations and clubs are eligible to participate, with coaches and team captains invited to cast their votes for the standout performers of the year. CAF has stated that the process is designed to ensure broad continental representation alongside fairness and transparency.

Independent oversight will also be in place throughout the voting period to protect the integrity of the selection process.