Liga Alef (Israel) 2026/27

Liga Alef operates as the third tier of the Israeli football league system. Situated directly below Liga Leumit and above Liga Bet, the competition is structured into two regional divisions: North and South. Each division currently comprises 16 teams. The season follows a double round-robin format, meaning clubs play each other twice, resulting in 30 matches per team. Success in the league offers clear pathways for advancement and caution against decline. The champions of each regional division secure direct promotion to Liga Leumit. For teams finishing in positions two through five, the route is more complex; they enter a play-off series. The winner of this play-off then faces the 14th-placed team from Liga Leumit in a two-legged tie to determine the final promotion spot. Relegation risks are significant for those at the bottom of the table. The two lowest-ranked teams in each division are automatically relegated to Liga Bet. The third-bottom teams do not face immediate drop-down but must compete in relegation play-offs against winners from the fourth tier to avoid sending. The league's structure is set to change. A reform is planned for the 2027–28 season, which will introduce Liga Artzit as a new national third tier. Consequently, Liga Alef is expected to be demoted to the fourth tier. This adjustment follows previous historical shifts, including its time as the top division and its brief stint as the fourth tier in 1999–2000 before returning to the third level in 2009–10. The competition is managed by the Israel Football Association, the governing body established in 1928.