Belarusian First League
The Belarusian First League is the second division of professional football in Belarus. It was created in 1992, following the Belarusian independence.
Founded | 1992 |
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Country | ![]() |
Confederation | UEFA |
Number of teams | 16 |
Level on pyramid | 2 |
Promotion to | Belarusian Premier League |
Relegation to | Belarusian Second League |
Current champions | Sputnik Rechitsa (2020) |
Current: 2020 Belarusian First League |
History and format
The typical format of the league involves 16 clubs playing a double round-robin tournament over 30 matchdays (with the exception of shortened 1992 and 1995 seasons, which were a single round-robin tournaments). On several occasions the number of participating teams was smaller (15 or 14), due to last minute withdrawals and no teams available for replacement.
In most of the seasons, two best teams are getting promoted to Belarusian Premier League, while two worst teams are relegated Belarusian Second League. There were, however, some deviations from this formula, particularly when the Premier League was expanding or shortening.
First League in 2019
In 2019, the Belarusian First League will consist of the following 15 teams:
Team | Location | Position in 2018 |
---|---|---|
Smolevichi | Smolevichi | Premier League, 15 |
Belshina Bobruisk | Bobruisk | 3 |
Lida | Lida | 4 |
Naftan Novopolotsk | Novopolotsk | 5 |
Lokomotiv Gomel | Gomel | 6 |
Slonim-2017 | Slonim | 7 |
Granit Mikashevichi | Mikashevichi | 8 |
Khimik Svetlogorsk | Svetlogorsk | 9 |
Smorgon | Smorgon | 11 |
Orsha | Orsha | 12 |
Volna Pinsk | Pinsk | 13 |
Baranovichi | Baranovichi | 14 |
Rukh Brest | Brest | Second League, 1 |
Krumkachy Minsk | Minsk | Second League, 2 |
Sputnik Rechitsa | Rechitsa | Second League, 3 |
Winners and promoted teams
Teams in bold were promoted to Premier League at the end of the season.
- 1 Team lost promotion/relegation play-off
- 2 Team was eligible for promotion but was denied Premier League license
- 3 Team won promotion/relegation play-off but disbanded after the season