First League (Russia) 2026/27

The First League operates as the second tier of Russian football, positioned directly beneath the top-flight Russian Premier League. It serves as a critical bridge between the elite level and the third-tier Russian Second League. Unlike the Premier League, which functions independently, this competition is managed by the Football National League (FNL), an organization that also oversees the third tier. This dual responsibility creates a distinct governance model within the national structure.

Promotion remains the primary objective for participating clubs. The top two finishers gain automatic access to the Premier League, securing immediate elevation. The teams finishing third and fourth enter a more complex route, engaging in two-legged play-offs against the thirteenth and fourteenth placed sides from the top flight. This specific mechanism allows for potential movement between the second and first tiers that does not exist in many other European systems. Conversely, the three lowest-placed teams face relegation to the Second League, although financial or licensing failures can occasionally suspend this process.

The league features eighteen clubs contesting a double round-robin schedule, meaning each side plays thirty-four matches. Historical context shapes its current identity; the tournament was established in 1992 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. It has undergone several name changes over the decades, transitioning from the First League to the First Division, then the Russian Football National League, before reverting to the First League in 2022.

Success has been distributed among various entities. Clubs such as Shinnik Yaroslavl, Rubin Kazan, and Baltika Kaliningrad have each claimed the title twice. The most recent champion, winning the 2024–25 season, was Baltika Kaliningrad. The competition distinguishes itself through this promotion play-off structure and its historical evolution under different administrative bodies.