English Premier League side Chelsea FC will visit Nigeria for the first time in their history this May, bringing their global fan engagement initiative, The Famous CFC, to Lagos.
The London club confirmed the development in a statement, noting that the visit will be the penultimate stop in the 2025/26 edition of the international programme, aimed at strengthening ties with supporters worldwideFormer Chelsea winger and Super Eagles star Victor Moses is expected to headline the Lagos event, where he will interact with fans through a series of activities, including a question-and-answer session and a watch party. Supporters will also have opportunities to win signed club merchandise.
Chelsea described Lagos as a “vibrant” football city, underscoring the significance of the visit as the club seeks to connect more deeply with one of its largest global fan bases.
Nigeria has long been regarded as one of Chelsea’s most passionate support bases, with the club enjoying widespread followership across the country, driven by both on-field success and historic ties with Nigerian players.
Moses remains one of the most celebrated Nigerians to feature for Chelsea, playing a key role in the club’s 2016/17 Premier League title-winning campaign. He also enjoyed a successful international career with the Super Eagles, winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and representing Nigeria at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.
Before him, former defender Celestine Babayaro was among the early Nigerian stars at Stamford Bridge, helping to popularise the club among local fans in the late 1990s.
Midfielder John Obi Mikel further cemented that connection during a trophy-laden spell that included Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League triumphs, making him one of the most successful African players in the club’s history.Other Nigerians associated with the club include Kenneth Omeruo, who was signed but spent his time out on loan, and Ola Aina, a product of Chelsea’s youth system who later built his professional career elsewhere.
Growing global outreach
Chelsea’s visit to Lagos marks the fifth stop of this season’s The Famous CFC tour, which has been expanded to include more cities worldwide. The initiative focuses on bringing fans closer to the club through interactive experiences as the season approaches its conclusion.For many Nigerian supporters, the event represents a rare opportunity to engage directly with the club and its former stars, reinforcing a relationship built over decades.
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