NB I (Hungary) 2026/27

The Nemzeti Bajnokság I, currently branded as the Fizz Liga, occupies the top tier of Hungarian football. Unlike standard European competitions, it employs a three-way fixture system where every team plays each other three times: once at home, once away, and once at a neutral venue determined by the previous match location. This structure generates 33 rounds per season without any mid-season splits or championship playoffs. The champion is decided solely by the final points tally.

Relegation follows a strict path. The club finishing in 12th place descends directly to the second tier, the Nemzeti Bajnokság II. The team in 11th position enters a single-match play-off against the runner-up from the lower division, played at a neutral site with extra time and penalties if the score is tied. This format contrasts sharply with the domestic cup, which operates as a knockout tournament open to amateur sides.

Historical dominance remains concentrated within a small group of clubs. Ferencvárosi TC holds the record with 36 titles, surpassing MTK Budapest, who have won 24 championships. MTK also holds the record for consecutive victories, securing nine straight titles between 1914 and 1920. The league has evolved significantly since its founding in 1901, navigating political upheavals and changing sponsorship deals, from the OTP Bank Liga to its current commercial name.

Qualification for European competition provides further distinction. The league champion earns a spot in the UEFA Champions League, while the cup winner qualifies for the UEFA Europa League. The league also implements a unique financial incentive system. Clubs receive funds for fielding domestic and U21 players, with non-compliance resulting in the forfeiture of these incentives rather than direct fines. This financial model aims to support local talent development within the professional structure.

The current season features 12 clubs, including Budapest Honved, Debreceni VSC, and Gyori ETO FC. The league stands as the premier professional competition in Hungary, separate from the cup competition that allows lower-division participation. Its format and financial rules distinguish it from other regional leagues.