1. Liga (Latvia) 2026/27

The 1. Liga operates as the second tier of professional football in Latvia, sitting directly beneath the Virslīga. Organised by the Latvian Football Federation, the competition provides a vital pathway for clubs aiming for the top flight. The league underwent a sponsorship rebrand in 2026, adopting the name LVBET līga following previous iterations such as Optibet Nākotnes līga.

Competition structure relies on a double round-robin format, ensuring teams face one another twice over the course of the season. Participation numbers are fluid; the 2026 campaign features 14 teams, an expansion from the 10 clubs that competed in 2025. The current group includes sides such as JFK Ventspils, Metta / LU, and Rēzekne FA.

Access to the Virslīga is governed by strict promotion rules. The league winner secures automatic promotion, while the runner-up enters a playoff against the ninth-placed side from the higher division. Conversely, the two lowest-ranked clubs face immediate relegation to the 2. līga. The team finishing in twelfth place must battle a third-tier opponent in a relegation playoff to retain their status.

A distinctive element of the league involves reserve teams. After being excluded for several years to support independent clubs, reserve sides were reintroduced in 2022. These squads, such as RFS-2, remain eligible for relegation but are barred from promotion to the Virslīga, regardless of their final position.

Historical volatility has marked the competition, including the suspension of the 2020 season due to the pandemic and the expulsion of clubs in 2017 over disciplinary matters. The 2025 title was claimed by Ogre United, marking their first championship and securing their ascent. Previous winners include Super Nova and entities from Daugavpils, highlighting the competitive nature of the tier.