By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros Occidental Regional Football Association (NORFA) has formally launched its 2026 Champions League, setting the stage for a province-wide football competition scheduled to begin in February.

NORFA announced that the upcoming season builds on last year’s consolidation of local leagues in the cities of San Carlos, Bacolod, Kabankalan, and Victorias in Negros Occidental, marking a continued effort to unify football development across the province.

The 2026 edition is positioned as a structured pathway aimed at elevating grassroots clubs toward higher levels of competition.

The tournament will follow a two-phase format.

From February to May 2026, city-based and local franchise leagues will conduct their qualifying competitions, with team performances determining which clubs advance to represent their respective cities.

The top teams will then move on to the Champions League main tournament, scheduled from July to October 2026, where they will compete for the regional title.

NORFA also confirmed that the 2026 season will adopt updated technical standards aligned with the Philippine Football Federation’s development framework.

This includes the continued use of the 8×8 format for youth and developmental divisions, which is intended to promote increased ball touches, tactical awareness and player development.

The association said further details on competition rules, schedules and participating teams will be released ahead of the opening of the qualifying leagues./ASC, WDJ