Wikipedia - Russian First League

The Russian First League (Russian: Первая лига, Pervaya liga), formerly called Russian First Division (Russian: Первый дивизион) and Russian Football National League (FNL) (Russian: Первенство Футбольной Национальной Лиги, Pervenstvo Futbol'noy Natsional'noy Ligi) is the second level of the Russian football league system.

The Russian Professional Football League (PFL) used to run the division. Since 2011, it has been managed by the Football National League.

The league consists of 18 clubs. After each season the two top clubs are promoted to the Premier League, and the bottom three clubs are relegated to the Second League. Third and fourth team play in home-and-away promotion play-offs against the 13th and 14th Premier League teams. Should one or more clubs not possess the required licence to participate for the upcoming season, the teams previously relegated are kept in the league instead, in the order of last season's standings.

History

Due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, all Russian clubs of the former Soviet Top League and Soviet First League unified into the Russian Top Division, which meant that the new second tier of Russian football would remain regionalized.

On 10 June 2022, the number of teams in the league was reduced from 20 to 18 for the 2022–23 season. On the same day, the league requested Russian Football Union to rename the league to its historical name of Russian First League. RFU officially approved the name change on 23 June 2022. On the same date the league announced that the league's title sponsor would be a bookmaker Melbet.

The following teams are competing in the 2023–24 season:

Team Home city Stadium Capacity
Akron Tolyatti Zhigulyovsk Kristall Stadium 3,065
Alania Vladikavkaz Vladikavkaz Republican Spartak Stadium 10,250
Arsenal Tula Tula Arsenal Stadium 19,241
Dynamo Makhachkala Makhachkala Dynamo Stadium 15,200
KAMAZ Naberezhnye Chelny KAMAZ stadium 6,248
Khimki Khimki Arena Khimki 18,636
Leningradets Leningrad Oblast Petrovsky Stadium 20,985
Kuban Krasnodar Krasnodar Kuban Stadium 31,654
Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik Stadium 3,100
Rodina Moscow Moscow Spartakovets Stadium 5,000
SKA-Khabarovsk Khabarovsk Lenin Stadium 14,800
Torpedo Moscow Moscow Luzhniki Stadium 81,000
Tyumen Tyumen Geolog Stadium 13,057
Sokol Saratov Saratov Lokomotiv Stadium 15,000
Chernomorets Novorossiysk Novorossiysk Central Stadium (Trud) [ru] 12,500
Volgar Astrakhan Astrakhan Central Stadium 21,500
Shinnik Yaroslavl Yaroslavl Shinnik Stadium 22,990
Yenisey Krasnoyarsk Krasnoyarsk Central Stadium 15,000
The Russia Division 1 soccer tournament is one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated sporting events in the country. It is the top professional football league in Russia, showcasing the best talent and teams from across the nation.

The tournament features a total of 20 teams competing against each other in a round-robin format, with each team playing against every other team twice, once at home and once away. The matches are held in various stadiums throughout Russia, providing an opportunity for fans to witness the excitement and passion of the game firsthand.

The Russia Division 1 tournament is known for its intense competition and high-quality football. The teams battle it out on the field, displaying their skills, tactics, and teamwork to secure victory. The matches are filled with thrilling moments, breathtaking goals, and nail-biting finishes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

The tournament not only serves as a platform for teams to showcase their abilities but also acts as a stepping stone for players to catch the attention of national team selectors and international scouts. Many talented players have emerged from the Russia Division 1, making a name for themselves both domestically and internationally.

The Russia Division 1 tournament also holds significant importance in terms of promotion and relegation. The top two teams at the end of the season earn promotion to the Russian Premier League, while the bottom two teams face relegation to the lower division. This adds an extra layer of excitement and pressure for teams, as they strive to achieve their goals and avoid the threat of relegation.

The tournament attracts a large and passionate fan base, with supporters from all over the country rallying behind their favorite teams. The stadiums are filled with colorful banners, chants, and cheers, creating an electrifying atmosphere that adds to the overall spectacle of the tournament.

Overall, the Russia Division 1 soccer tournament is a thrilling and highly competitive event that showcases the best of Russian football. It brings together talented players, passionate fans, and a rich footballing culture, making it a must-watch for any soccer enthusiast.