Chelsea FC to visit Nigeria for first time, Lagos event planned for May

Chelsea Football Club will travel to Nigeria in May as part of its global fan engagement programme, marking the first time the English side will hold an official visit in the country. The initiative, titled The Famous CFC, will include Lagos as one of its key stops.

The club confirmed the development in a statement, describing Lagos as an important centre of its global supporter base. The visit is scheduled as the penultimate event in the 2025/26 edition of the programme, which focuses on direct interaction with fans across different regions.

Former Chelsea winger and Super Eagles international Victor Moses is expected to feature prominently at the Lagos event. He will take part in fan sessions, including a question-and-answer segment and a live match viewing. Organisers also plan merchandise giveaways, including signed club items.

Nigeria has remained one of Chelsea’s most consistent international supporter bases, shaped by decades of visibility in the Premier League and the presence of Nigerian players in the squad over time.

Moses remains one of the club’s most notable Nigerian players, having contributed to the 2016/17 Premier League title-winning campaign. On the international stage, he was part of Nigeria’s squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and featured at both the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Before him, Celestine Babayaro was among the earliest Nigerian players at Chelsea, followed by John Obi Mikel, whose long spell at the club included Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League titles. Other Nigerians linked to Chelsea include Kenneth Omeruo, who spent time on loan during his contract period, and Ola Aina, who progressed through the club’s academy system before moving on.

The Lagos stop is part of a wider global tour that has taken Chelsea to several cities this season. The programme is designed to strengthen direct engagement with supporters through events, appearances, and matchday experiences as the season nears its end.

For supporters in Nigeria, the visit offers a rare opportunity for direct interaction with former players and club representatives, reinforcing a long-standing connection between Chelsea and its fanbase in the country.