The Executive Committee approved a new format for Albania’s First Division starting from the 2027/2028 season. The change aims to increase competition and maintain sporting interest throughout the season.
However, the current format will remain unchanged for the next edition. The championship will continue with three regular phases and 33 matchweeks.
The first and second-placed teams will earn automatic promotion to the Albanian Super League. Meanwhile, the teams finishing third, fourth, fifth, and sixth will enter the play-offs. The semi-finals will pair third against sixth and fourth against fifth. The winners will meet in the final. The final winner will secure promotion, while the runner-up will face the third-from-bottom Super League team in a decisive play-out match.
From the 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 seasons, the First Division will adopt a structure similar to the Super League. Twelve teams will compete in two regular phases over 22 matchweeks. Afterward, the teams will split into two groups. In addition, the points collected during the regular season will be halved before the play-off and play-out stages begin.
The top six teams will enter the play-offs and play home-and-away matches over 10 rounds. The first and second-placed teams will gain automatic promotion to the Super League. Furthermore, the team finishing first will be crowned league champion.
At the same time, the bottom six teams will compete in the play-out stage. The last two teams will be relegated automatically to the Second Division. Meanwhile, the teams finishing third and fourth from the bottom will play promotion-relegation matches against Second Division play-off teams.
Finally, the teams finishing third to sixth in the First Division play-offs will contest the semi-finals and final. The winner of this competition will then face the third-from-bottom Super League team to determine the final place in Albania’s top football division.
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