Pershaya Liga (Belarus) 2026/27

The Pershaya Liga operates as the second tier of professional football in Belarus, positioned below the Vysshaya Liga and above the Second League. Unlike many regional second tiers, this competition is distinguished by its high volume of reserve teams, which adds a developmental dimension to the tournament. This structure differentiates it from purely senior second-tier leagues in neighbouring countries.

The Belarusian Football Union governs the competition. Founded in 1992 as the Second League, it was renamed the First League in 1998 following a restructuring of the national pyramid. The season follows a double round-robin format where each team plays 34 matches.

Promotion and relegation rules are strictly defined. The top two teams secure direct promotion to the Vysshaya Liga. The third-place team enters a playoff against the 14th place team of the top flight for the final promotion spot. The bottom two teams are relegated directly to the Second League. A critical rule ensures reserve teams are ineligible for promotion; if a reserve team finishes in a promotion spot, the opportunity passes to the next eligible non-reserve team.

This specific setup allows clubs like BATE II, Dinamo Minsk II, and Gomel II to compete alongside independent sides such as Bumprom and FC Slutsk. While the league aims to identify future talent, the primary goal remains securing promotion for established senior squads.

Belshina Bobruisk holds the record for the most titles in the competition's history, having won four championships. Recent champions include FC Baranovichi and Molodechno-2018. The league's official online presence is managed through championship.abff.by. The presence of multiple reserve sides means that the battle for promotion often involves complex dynamics regarding squad eligibility and development pathways, setting it apart from standard second-division competitions.