The Showtime Flag Football League (SFFL) has officially unveiled Showtime Bowl Series XIV (SBXIV) as the new season of Africa’s first professional flag football league prepares to kick off in Lagos.
Organisers confirmed that the highly anticipated season will begin on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Showtime Arena in Meadow Hall, Lekki, Lagos, bringing together teams from across Nigeria for another competitive campaign.
The league, founded by Azeez Amida, has grown rapidly since its launch and continues to position itself as a leading platform for the development of flag football across Africa.
Ten teams set for opening day action
According to organisers, the SBXIV season will feature 10 teams competing for the championship title.
The participating teams include:
- Rivers Alphas
- Lagos Knights
- Ogun Horns
- Delta Braves
- Abia Warriors
- Lagos Greenbacks
- Lagos Rebels
- Cross River Ikan
- Ibom Raptors
- Delta Panthers
Each team enters the season with ambitions of claiming the Showtime Bowl XIV crown, the league’s championship trophy awarded at the end of the campaign.
Opening day fixtures
Fans attending the opening day at the Showtime Arena can expect five matches scheduled throughout the afternoon and evening.
Week 1 fixtures include:
- Rivers Alphas vs Lagos Knights — 2:00 PM
- Ogun Horns vs Delta Braves — 3:20 PM
- Abia Warriors vs Lagos Greenbacks — 4:40 PM
- Lagos Rebels vs Cross River Ikan — 6:00 PM
- Ibom Raptors vs Delta Panthers — 7:20 PM
The matches will mark the start of what organisers describe as the most competitive season yet.
Growing the flag football movement
Flag football — a non-contact version of American football — has been gaining popularity in Nigeria, particularly among young athletes.
The Showtime league operates as a co-ed 7-on-7 competition, requiring teams to field both male and female players during games, making it one of the few professional mixed-gender leagues in the sport.
Speaking ahead of the new season, founder Azeez Amida said the league aims to create opportunities for athletes while building a sustainable sports ecosystem in Nigeria.
According to him, SBXIV represents another step toward expanding the reach of the sport and establishing Nigeria as a major hub for flag football development in Africa.
Beyond sport: entertainment and youth development
Apart from the games, SBXIV will also focus on youth engagement, community participation, and sports entertainment.
The organisers say the league will continue to promote grassroots talent while creating opportunities for players to develop their skills and gain wider recognition.
With fans expected to turn out in large numbers and more viewers watching online, the new season is expected to further cement Showtime’s reputation as the driving force behind the growth of flag football in Nigeria.
As the countdown to kickoff begins, the big question remains: which team will emerge as the champion of SBXIV?