2025–26 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria)

  1. Home
  2. Wiki
First Professional Football League
Season2025–26
Dates18 July 2025 – 29 May 2026
Matches played39
Goals scored89 (2.28 per match)
Top goalscorerNikolay Zlatev
(4 goals)
Best goalkeeperBojan Milosavljević
(3 clean sheets)
Biggest home winLudogorets Razgrad 5–0 Septemvri Sofia
(19 July 2025)
Levski Sofia 5–0 Montana
(20 July 2025)
Biggest away winBotev Plovdiv 0–5 Arda
(4 August 2025)
Highest scoringLudogorets Razgrad 5–0 Septemvri Sofia
(19 July 2025)
Levski Sofia 5–0 Montana
(20 July 2025)
Botev Plovdiv 0–5 Arda
(4 August 2025)
Septemvri Sofia 2–3 Beroe
(11 August 2025)
Longest winning run4 games
Levski Sofia
Ludogorets Razgrad
Longest unbeaten run5 games
Cherno More
Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Longest winless run5 games
Montana
Slavia Sofia
Spartak Varna
Longest losing run4 games
Slavia Sofia
Septemvri Sofia
All statistics correct as of 18:05, 18 August 2025 (UTC).

The 2025–26 First Professional Football League, also known as efbet League for sponsorship reasons,[1] will be the 102nd season of the top division of the Bulgarian football league system, the 78th since a league format was adopted for the national competition of A Group as a top tier of the pyramid, and also the 10th season of the First Professional Football League, which decides the Bulgarian champion. The season had began on 18 July 2025 and will end on 29 May 2026.

Ludogorets Razgrad are the 14-time defending champions.

Teams

[edit]

As in the last season, 16 teams will compete in the league this year. Two teams were promoted from the 2024–25 Second League, and two places are for the winners of the promotion/relegation playoffs.

The first team to earn promotion from the Second League was Dobrudzha, who mathematically secured a top two finish after winning against Lovech on 11 May.[2] Dobrudzha return to the top level after a 22-year absence.

The second team to earn promotion from the Second League was Montana, who mathematically secured a top two finish after Pirin Blagoevgrad lost to Dobrudzha on 16 May.[3] Montana return to the top level after a 4-year absence.

Additionally, Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Botev Vratsa remained in the First League after winning against Marek and Pirin Blagoevgrad, respectively, in the promotion/relegation playoffs.[4][5]

Stadia and locations

[edit]
Arda Beroe Botev Plovdiv Botev Vratsa
Arena Arda Stadion Beroe Stadion Hristo Botev Stadion Hristo Botev
Capacity: 11,114 Capacity: 12,128 Capacity: 18,777 Capacity: 8,000
Cherno More CSKA 1948 CSKA Sofia Dobrudzha
Stadion Ticha Stadion Bistritsa Vasil Levski National Stadium Stadion Druzhba
Capacity: 6,250 Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 43,230 Capacity: 12,000
Levski Sofia
class=notpageimage|
Location of teams in 2025–26 First League
class=notpageimage|
Sofia 2025–26 First League football clubs
 Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Stadion Georgi Asparuhov Stadion Lokomotiv
Capacity: 17,688 Capacity: 10,000
Lokomotiv Sofia Ludogorets Razgrad
Stadion Lokomotiv Huvepharma Arena
Capacity: 11,200 Capacity: 10,423
Montana Septemvri Sofia Slavia Sofia Spartak Varna
Stadion Ogosta Stadion Lokomotiv Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov Stadion Spartak
Capacity: 7,000 Capacity: 11,200 Capacity: 25,000 Capacity: 7,000

Personnel and kits

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Additional
Arda Bulgaria Aleksandar Tunchev Bulgaria Anatoli Gospodinov Uhlsport efbet IK Nataliya Ltd.
Beroe Spain Víctor Basadre Argentina Juan Pablo Salomoni Nike 8888.bg —
Botev Plovdiv Bulgaria Nikolay Kirov Bulgaria Ivelin Popov Macron WinBet PIMK, OZK Insurance, UG Market Trader
Botev Vratsa Bulgaria Hristo Yanev Bulgaria Daniel Genov Erima WinBet —
Cherno More Bulgaria Ilian Iliev Bulgaria Vasil Panayotov Macron Armeets Planex
CSKA 1948 Bulgaria Ivan Stoyanov Bulgaria Emil Tsenov Jako efbet Bachkovo
CSKA Sofia Bosnia and Herzegovina Dušan Kerkez Brazil Gustavo Busatto Macron WinBet A1
Dobrudzha Bulgaria Atanas Atanasov Bulgaria Georgi Argilashki Adidas Bethub Dobrich Municipality
Levski Sofia Spain Julio Velázquez Brazil Wenderson Tsunami Adidas PalmsBet Lacrima
Lokomotiv Plovdiv Slovenia Dušan Kosič Bulgaria Dimitar Iliev Joma WinBet —
Lokomotiv Sofia Bulgaria Stanislav Genchev Bulgaria Aleksandar Lyubenov Macron 8888.bg VIA 2000
Ludogorets Razgrad Portugal Rui Mota Bulgaria Anton Nedyalkov Jako efbet Vivacom, Huvepharma, Navibulgar
Montana Bulgaria Anatoli Nankov Bulgaria Vasil Simeonov Jako efbet —
Septemvri Sofia Bulgaria Stamen Belchev Bulgaria Galin Ivanov Uhlsport 8888.bg —
Slavia Sofia Bulgaria Zlatomir Zagorčić Bulgaria Georgi Petkov Joma bet365 Asset Insurance
Spartak Varna North Macedonia Gjoko Hadžievski Bulgaria Deyan Lozev Nike efbet —

Note: Individual clubs may wear jerseys with advertising. However, only one sponsorship is permitted per jersey for official tournaments organised by UEFA in addition to that of the kit manufacturer (exceptions are made for non-profit organisations). Clubs in the domestic league can have more than one sponsorship per jersey which can feature on the front of the shirt, incorporated with the main sponsor or in place of it; or on the back, either below the squad number or on the collar area. Shorts also have space available for advertisement.

Managerial changes

[edit]
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Botev Plovdiv Bosnia and Herzegovina Dušan Kerkez Resigned 26 May 2025[6] Pre-season Bulgaria Nikolay Kirov 28 June 2025[7]
Lokomotiv Sofia Serbia Ratko Dostanić Mutual agremeent 29 May 2025[8] Bulgaria Stanislav Genchev 30 May 2025[9]
CSKA Sofia Bulgaria Aleksandar Tomash End of contract 31 May 2025[10] Bosnia and Herzegovina Dušan Kerkez 4 June 2025[11]
Spartak Varna Bulgaria Nikolay Kirov End of contract 31 May 2025[12] North Macedonia Gjoko Hadžievski 9 July 2025[13]
Septemvri Sofia Bulgaria Nikolay Mitov Resigned 1 June 2025[14] Bulgaria Stamen Belchev 5 June 2025[15]
Ludogorets Razgrad Croatia Igor Jovićević Mutual agreement 9 June 2025[16] Portugal Rui Mota 13 June 2025[17]
Beroe Bulgaria Plamen Lipenski End of interim spell 6 July 2025 Spain Víctor Basadre 6 July 2025[18]
Montana Bulgaria Tancho Kalpakov Resigned 9 August 2025[19] 13th Bulgaria Anatoli Nankov 11 August 2025[20]

Regular season

[edit]

League table

[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Ludogorets Razgrad 5 4 1 0 11 1 +10 13 Qualification for the Championship group
2 Levski Sofia 5 4 1 0 11 2 +9 13
3 CSKA 1948 6 4 1 1 8 5 +3 13
4 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 6 3 3 0 6 3 +3 12
5 Cherno More 6 3 3 0 11 4 +7 12 Qualification for the Conference League group
6 Lokomotiv Sofia 6 2 4 0 6 2 +4 10
7 Botev Vratsa 6 1 4 1 5 4 +1 7
8 Dobrudzha 6 2 0 4 6 9 −3 6
9 Arda 4 1 2 1 6 2 +4 5 Qualification for the Relegation group
10 Beroe 5 1 2 2 5 9 −4 5
11 Montana 6 1 2 3 4 11 −7 5
12 Spartak Varna 6 0 4 2 4 7 −3 4
13 Botev Plovdiv 5 1 1 3 4 10 −6 4
14 CSKA Sofia 5 0 3 2 2 4 −2 3
15 Septemvri Sofia 6 1 0 5 6 15 −9 3
16 Slavia Sofia 5 0 1 4 4 11 −7 1
Updated to match(es) played on 24 August 2025. Source: Soccerway, Bulgarian Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw[21]

Results

[edit]
Home \ Away ARD BER BPD BVR CHM CSK CSS DOB LEV LPD LSO LUD MON SEP SLA SPV
Arda — 1 Sep ppd 0–0 1–1
Beroe — 1–2 1–1 ppd
Botev Plovdiv 0–5 a — 1–1 ppd a 0–1
Botev Vratsa — 29 Aug 0–0 0–1
Cherno More 4–0 2–1 — 1–1
CSKA 1948 1–0 — 2–1 2–1
CSKA Sofia 0–0 0–1 — a 1–1
Dobrudzha 0–2 2–1 — 2–1
Levski Sofia 31 Aug a — 5–0 2–0 2–1
Lokomotiv Plovdiv a 1–0 1–0 — a 2–1
Lokomotiv Sofia 1–1 a — 3–0 a 0–0
Ludogorets Razgrad 31 Aug 2–1 0–0 — 5–0
Montana 0–0 29 Aug 1–1 — 2–0
Septemvri Sofia 2–3 2–1 1–2 29 Aug —
Slavia Sofia 25 Aug 2–2 30 Aug a a 0–3 —
Spartak Varna 0–0 1–1 1–3 30 Aug —
Updated to match(es) played on 24 August 2025. Source: Bulgarian Football
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Season statistics

[edit]

Top scorers

[edit]
As of 24 August 2025[22]
Rank Player Club Goals
1 France Bertrand Fourrier Septemvri Sofia 4
Bulgaria Georgi Lazarov Cherno More
Bulgaria Nikolay Zlatev Cherno More
4 Bulgaria Ivaylo Chochev Ludogorets Razgrad 3
Mauritania Mamadou Diallo CSKA 1948
Bulgaria Marin Petkov Levski Sofia
Bulgaria Martin Petkov Botev Vratsa
Spain Alberto Salido Beroe

Clean sheets

[edit]
As of 24 August 2025[22]
Rank Goalkeeper Club Clean
sheets
1 Bulgaria Martin Velichkov Lokomotiv Sofia 4
2 Bulgaria Dimitar Evtimov Botev Vratsa 3
Switzerland Bojan Milosavljević Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Bulgaria Svetoslav Vutsov Levski Sofia
5 Germany Hendrik Bonmann Ludogorets Razgrad 2
Bulgaria Anatoli Gospodinov Arda
Ukraine Maksym Kovalyov Spartak Varna
Netherlands Sergio Padt Ludogorets Razgrad
Bulgaria Vasil Simeonov Arda

Hat-tricks

[edit]
As of 24 August 2025
Player For Against Result Date
Bulgaria Nikolay Zlatev Cherno More Beroe 4–0 (H)[23] 4 August 2025
Spain Alberto Salido Beroe Septemvri Sofia 3–2 (A)[24] 11 August 2025

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Обявиха официално новото име и лого на Първа лига" [Officially announced the new name and logo of First League.]. Sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  2. ^ "Добруджа се завърна в родния футболен елит" (in Bulgarian). btvsport.bg. 11 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Монтана се завърна в Първа лига" (in Bulgarian). trud.bg. 17 May 2025.
  4. ^ "Чудото е факт! Ботев Враца надви Пирин и остава в efbet Лига" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 29 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Локомотив Пловдив не срещна трудности срещу Марек и остава в елита" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 30 May 2025.
  6. ^ "Специалното послание на Керкез към „Колежа": В един момент ще се върна тук и Ботев ще стане шампион (ВИДЕО)" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Официално: Белия се завърна в Ботев Пловдив" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Ратко Достанич вече не е старши треньор на Локо (София), чака се назначението на Генчев" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 29 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Официално: Станислав Генчев се завърна в Локомотив София" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 30 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Официално: Томаш е аут, ЦСКА ще има нов треньор" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  11. ^ "Душан Керкез е новият старши треньор на ЦСКА" (in Bulgarian). cska.bg. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Белия: Нямам оферти от Ботев и Спартак". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Ветеран, бивш треньор на ЦСКА, пое Спартак (Вн)". sportal.bg. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Николай Митов ще напусне Септември след края на сезона" (in Bulgarian). bntnews.bg. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Септември (София) обяви новия си треньор" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  16. ^ "Официално: Лудогорец се раздели с Йовичевич" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  17. ^ "Официално: Лудогорец има нов треньор" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  18. ^ "Берое представи новия си испански треньор" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Падна първата треньорска глава в efbet Лига". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Анатоли Нанков е новият старши треньор на Монтана". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Наредба за първенствата и турнирите по футбол в системата на БФС за сезон 2025/2026 година" (PDF) (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian Football Union. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Първа професионална лига 2025/26". bulgarian-football.com (in Bulgarian).
  23. ^ "Cherno More 4–0 Beroe" (in Bulgarian). bulgarian-football.com. 4 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Septemvri Sofia 2–3 Beroe" (in Bulgarian). bulgarian-football.com. 11 August 2025.