Spires 5-Aside Opens Registration for Season 3 calls for partnerships, as Divisional Qualifiers Begin in April

Registration has officially opened for Season 3 of the Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tournament, with organisers confirming that divisional qualifiers for the 2026 edition will commence in April across Lagos State.

The announcement was made at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, where the tournament’s leadership unveiled a detailed roadmap for what they describe as a significantly expanded edition—both competitively and in terms of player development.

The divisional qualifiers will take place across the five divisions of Lagos State, providing grassroots teams the opportunity to compete for places in the main tournament. Participation is open to teams affiliated with the Lagos State Football Association through their respective Divisional Football Associations (DFAs). Registration began on Wednesday, February 18, via the official tournament website, www.spires5aside.ng.

In a notable policy shift, organisers have reviewed the tournament’s age criteria. While previous editions were restricted to players not older than 21, the 2026 competition is now open to players aged 16 and above. The move is aimed at broadening participation and deepening the talent pool within the state’s vibrant street football ecosystem.

Speaking virtually, the tournament’s initiator, Dr. Bankole Alibay, expressed optimism about the upcoming season and reiterated his commitment to continuous improvement.
“Every edition of this tournament excites us,” he said. “Season 3 will raise the bar in all ramifications—from the quality of competition to the overall experience for players and stakeholders.”

Beyond the competition itself, organisers are sustaining the Tech-Meet-Sports initiative introduced in 2025. The programme integrates vocational and digital skills training into the tournament structure, exposing participating players to opportunities in artificial intelligence, machine learning, coding, and graphic design. The objective, according to the organisers, is to equip young footballers with marketable skills that can support life beyond the game.

Dr. Alibay also used the occasion to call on corporate organisations and brands to partner with the tournament, noting that it has been self-funded since inception. He stressed that broader institutional support would enhance its capacity to impact more young athletes across Lagos.

Lagos Island-based side White Tigers emerged champions of the 2025 edition, claiming the N5 million top prize after an impressive campaign.

With qualifiers set to begin in April, expectations are high that Season 3 will consolidate the tournament’s growing reputation as one of the state’s leading grassroots football platforms—blending competitive street soccer with structured personal development opportunities.