BY ADELU PRAISE DEBORAH

For millions of Nigerians, the FIFA World Cup is more than a football tournament. It is a season of passion, excitement, friendly rivalries, late-night celebrations, and unforgettable moments that unite families, friends, and communities around television screens.

As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, StarTimes Nigeria is looking to make the football fiesta even more rewarding for its subscribers.

The pay television company has launched a nationwide “Watch & Win” promotion, offering prizes worth N10 million, including a grand prize that could transform the fortunes of one lucky football fan.

The initiative, unveiled at a media conference in Lagos, reflects StarTimes’ determination to make the World Cup experience accessible and exciting for Nigerians, regardless of their location or subscription package.

According to the company’s Marketing Director, Oke Umurhohwo, every subscriber who recharges with a minimum of N4,000 or purchases a StarTimes decoder/disc or StarTimes Solar package during the promotional period will stand a chance of winning.

But beyond the attractive prizes, StarTimes says its primary goal is to bring every moment of the world’s biggest football tournament closer to Nigerian homes.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be historic. For the first time, 48 nations will compete in an expanded tournament featuring 104 matches across three host countries. The competition is expected to draw billions of viewers worldwide, creating a month-long celebration of football unlike any seen before.

Recognising the enormous interest the tournament generates among Nigerians, StarTimes has secured broadcasting rights for all 104 matches and dedicated two channels exclusively to World Cup coverage.

“With a subscription of just N4,000, our customers can watch all 104 matches live,” Umurhohwo explained.

He noted that the company wanted to ensure football lovers across different income levels can enjoy the tournament without missing any of the action.

The promotion, which runs from June 18 to July 31, 2026, is designed to reward loyal subscribers while attracting new customers eager to be part of the World Cup excitement.

For new subscribers, the company is also offering discounts of up to 44 per cent on selected products, making access to World Cup coverage even more affordable.

Yet StarTimes’ plans extend beyond television screens.

The company intends to organise World Cup watch parties in selected cities across Nigeria, creating communal spaces where football enthusiasts can gather to cheer their favourite teams, celebrate victories, and share in the drama that only the World Cup can provide.

From bustling city centres to neighbourhood viewing hubs, the initiative is expected to recreate the vibrant atmosphere that has become synonymous with major football tournaments in Nigeria.

The company believes that football remains one of the strongest unifying forces in the country, capable of bringing together people of different backgrounds through a shared love of the game.

For Onyebuchi Uchefuna, Sales Director (Lagos), the World Cup promotion is another chapter in StarTimes’ longstanding relationship with Nigerian audiences.

Since commencing operations in Nigeria in 2009, the company has expanded its footprint across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, reaching millions of households with digital television services.

Uchefuna said customer satisfaction has remained central to the company’s growth strategy.

Even though Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, he stressed that StarTimes remained committed to ensuring Nigerians do not miss out on the global football spectacle.

“Football is deeply rooted in Nigerian culture. We understand how important the World Cup is to our customers, and that is why we worked hard to secure the broadcast rights,” he said.

The viewing experience, according to the company, will not be limited to live match broadcasts alone.

Advert Sales Director, Seun Oyedokun, disclosed that StarTimes will provide comprehensive pre-match and post-match studio analysis throughout the tournament, giving viewers expert insights, tactical breakdowns, and discussions around the biggest talking points from every game.

Subscribers will also have the flexibility of following the tournament on the go through the StarTimes mobile application, ensuring they remain connected to the action wherever they are.

As the countdown to kick-off continues, the message from StarTimes is clear: the 2026 FIFA World Cup will not only be about goals, trophies, and football glory. For many Nigerian viewers, it could also be a season of winning life-changing prizes, sharing memorable experiences, and celebrating the beautiful game together.

For football fans across the country, that combination may be as exciting as the tournament itself.