By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Organisers of Nigeria’s largest grassroots football tournament, the Prosperity Cup, have announced a landmark partnership with FC Barcelona and an increase in prize money to ₦80 million ahead of the competition’s 8th edition in 2026.The Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, disclosed the developments on Tuesday at a press conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, describing the initiative as a major step toward strengthening grassroots football development in Nigeria.
According to Akpe, the partnership with the Barcelona Academy will enable selected young talents and coaches from Bayelsa State to receive professional training from FC Barcelona coaches. He added that the programme will focus on modern football techniques, discipline, and long-term career development.In addition to the Barcelona collaboration, Akpe revealed that the organisers have secured an agreement with a talent management agency based in the Netherlands. The agency will provide further support for identified players, helping to nurture them into professional football careers.
As part of the capacity-building programme, a four-day coaching clinic is scheduled to hold from February 23 to 26, 2026. The clinic will train 40 selected coaches, equipping them with contemporary tactical knowledge and improving coaching standards across the state.
To maintain high standards throughout the tournament, the organisers have also lined up other specialised training programmes. These include a one-week refresher course for referees, a three-day intensive medical workshop for tournament medical teams and participating squads, and a one-day training session for sports journalists and tournament coordinators.
Akpe announced that the total prize money has been increased to ₦80 million in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Bayelsa State. He said the increase underscores the tournament’s growth and its importance to youth empowerment and sports development in the state.
In the men’s category, the overall winner will receive ₦30 million, while the first runner-up will earn ₦10 million. The third- and fourth-placed teams will receive ₦5 million and ₦2 million respectively, alongside additional consolation prizes of ₦4 million and cash rewards for Local Government Area winners and runners-up.
For the women’s category, the champion will go home with ₦10 million, the runner-up ₦5 million, third place ₦2 million, and fourth place ₦1 million. Consolation prizes of ₦500,000 have also been earmarked for other teams.In the para-soccer category, the winner will receive ₦1 million, while the runner-up will earn ₦500,000. The 2026 Prosperity Cup is scheduled to kick off on March 1, 2026, with an official opening ceremony on February 19, 2026. The ceremony will form part of activities marking the sixth anniversary of the Prosperity Government in Bayelsa State.
Akpe commended Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his consistent support of the tournament, noting that about 50 percent of the prize money is provided by corporate sponsors. He called on multinational oil companies, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and other corporate bodies to support the initiative.
Also speaking, Tournament Director Mr. Ebi Avi said matches will be played across 30 centres in eight local government areas, with the final scheduled for May 2, 2026, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. The Prosperity Cup has continued to play a key role in grassroots talent discovery, youth engagement, and community development across Bayelsa State.
