Ýokary Liga (Turkmenistan) 2026/27

The Ýokary Liga stands as the premier tier of professional football in Turkmenistan, occupying the highest position within the national pyramid. Established in 1992 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it replaced the former Turkmen SSR Championship and operates under the authority of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan. The competition features eight clubs competing in a single round-robin format where teams face each other twice, with no playoff system in place to determine the champion.

Altyn Asyr holds the record for the most titles with eight victories, securing them during a dominant run between 2014 and 2021. The current champion is FK Arkadag, which has claimed three consecutive titles since its foundation in 2023. The club was established by former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and is based in the state-built city of Arkadag, marking a significant shift towards a state-sponsored model that now dominates the league. Other notable participants include Köpetdag Aşgabat, Energetik, and Balkan, many of which maintain historical links to government institutions or state enterprises.

Unlike the Turkmenistan Cup, which is a knockout tournament, the league determines its champion strictly through final standings. This distinction is crucial for continental qualification, as the league title grants access to the AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage. If the domestic champion also secures the Cup, the league runner-up qualifies for the AFC Challenge League instead. While promotion and relegation with the second-tier Birinci Liga exist officially, they are irregular in practice due to administrative decisions and a shortage of eligible clubs rather than strict sporting merit.