2024–25 Kategoria Superiore
Football league season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2024–25 Kategoria Superiore was the 86th official season, or 89th season of top-tier football in Albania (including three unofficial championships during World War II) and the 25th season under the name Kategoria Superiore. The season began on 18 August 2024 and ended on 12 May 2025. Egnatia won the league title on 12 May 2025, beating Vllaznia in the final match.
| Season | 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 18 August 2024 – 12 May 2025[1] |
| Champions | Egnatia 2nd title |
| Relegated | Skënderbeu Laçi |
| Champions League | Egnatia |
| Conference League | Vllaznia Partizani Dinamo City |
| Matches | 184 |
| Goals | 409 (2.22 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Bekim Balaj (19 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Bylis 4–0 Teuta (25 October 2024) Egnatia 4–0 Bylis (15 September 2024) Tirana 4–0 Bylis (10 November 2024) |
| Biggest away win | Elbasani 0–5 Dinamo City (4 November 2024) |
| Highest scoring | Tirana 3–4 Vllaznia (30 October 2024) |
| Longest winning run | 6 matches Egnatia |
| Longest unbeaten run | 15 matches Partizani |
| Longest winless run | 12 matches Skënderbeu |
| Longest losing run | 5 matches Bylis Dinamo City |
← 2023–24 2025–26 →
All statistics correct as of 12 May 2025. | |
The winners of this season's Kategoria Superiore earned a place in the first qualifying round of the 2025–26 Champions League, with the second and third placed clubs earning a place in the first qualifying round of the 2025–26 Conference League.
Teams
Two clubs have earned promotion from the Kategoria e Parë, Bylis (promoted after a one-year absence) and Elbasani (promoted for the first time in their history). Erzeni (relegated after two years in the top flight) and Kukësi (relegated after twelve years in the top flight) were relegated to Kategoria e Parë at the conclusion of last season.
Locations
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| Team | Home city | Stadium | Capacity | 2023–24 season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bylis | Ballsh | Adush Muçaj Stadium | 2,464 | Runner-up (Kategoria e Parë) |
| Dinamo City | Tirana | Elbasan Arena[a] | 12,800[a] | 7th |
| Egnatia | Rrogozhinë | Egnatia Arena | 4,000 | Champion |
| Elbasani | Elbasan | Elbasan Arena | 12,800 | Champion (Kategoria e Parë) |
| Laçi | Laç | Laçi Stadium | 2,271 | 8th |
| Partizani | Tirana | Arena e Demave | 4,500 | 2nd |
| Skënderbeu | Korçë | Skënderbeu Stadium | 5,800 | 3rd |
| Teuta | Durrës | Niko Dovana Stadium | 12,040 | 6th |
| Tirana | Tirana | Various[b] | 5th | |
| Vllaznia | Shkodër | Loro Boriçi Stadium | 16,022 | 4th |
Stadiums
| Bylis | Dinamo City | Egnatia | Elbasani | Laçi |
| Adush Muçaj Stadium | Elbasan Arena UEFA stadium category  |
Egnatia Arena | Elbasan Arena UEFA stadium category |
Laçi Stadium |
| Capacity: 2,464 | Capacity: 12,800 | Capacity: 4,000 | Capacity: 12,800 | Capacity: 2,271 |
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| Partizani | Skënderbeu | Teuta | Tirana | Vllaznia |
| Arena e Demave | Skënderbeu Stadium | Niko Dovana Stadium | Loro Boriçi Stadium UEFA stadium category | |
| Capacity: 4,500 | Capacity: 5,800 | Capacity: 12,040 | Capacity: 16,022 | |
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Personnel and kits
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 | President | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bylis |  Besnik Kapllanaj |
Gentian Mezani |
Marin Abazaj |
Macron | |
| Dinamo City | Ardian Bardhi |
Ilir Daja |
Bruno Dita |
Kappa | Durrës Yachts & Marina |
| Egnatia | Agim Demrozi |
Edlir Tetova |
Renato Malota |
Joma | Demrozi Construction |
| Elbasani | Kujtim Llupa |
 Ivan Gvozdenović |
Orgest Gava |
Cohl's | Kurum |
| Laçi | Pashk Laska |
 Francesco Moriero |
Kleandro Lleshi |
Uhlsport | |
| Partizani | Gazmend Demi |
Skënder Gega |
Alban Hoxha |
Joma | |
| Skënderbeu | Ardjan Takaj |
Ernest Gjoka |
Elvis Prençi |
Uhlsport | ABI Bank |
| Teuta | Edmond Hasanbelliu |
Bledar Hodo |
Blerim Kotobelli |
Macron | |
| Tirana | Refik Halili |
Bledi Shkëmbi |
Florjan Përgjoni |
Joma | |
| Vllaznia | Alban Xhaferi |
 Thomas Brdarić |
Bekim Balaj |
Suzmar | AL Invest |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure |
Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bylis | Arjan Bellaj |
Signed by Vora | 24 May 2024 | Pre-season |  Ndubuisi Egbo |
3 July 2024 |
| Tirana | Erbim Fagu |
Mutual consent | 24 May 2024 | Bledi Shkëmbi |
5 June 2024 | |
| Elbasani | Nevil Dede |
1 July 2024 | Roberto Bordin |
11 July 2024 | ||
| Partizani | Orges Shehi |
5 August 2024 | Arbër Abilaliaj |
5 August 2024 | ||
| Partizani | Arbër Abilaliaj |
End of caretaker spell | 26 August 2024 | 5th | Aleksandar Veselinović |
26 August 2024 |
| Dinamo | Dritan Mehmeti |
Sacked | 27 August 2024 | 10th | Erion Xhafa |
27 August 2024 |
| Dinamo | Erion Xhafa |
End of caretaker spell | 11 September 2024 | 8th | Ilir Daja |
11 September 2024 |
| Bylis | Ndubuisi Egbo |
Mutual consent | 25 September 2024 | 9th | Nevil Dede |
25 September 2024 |
| Laçi | Armando Cungu |
Resigned | 28 September 2024 | 10th | Francesco Passiatore |
28 September 2024 |
| Laçi | Francesco Passiatore |
End of caretaker spell | 10 October 2024 | 10th | Francesco Moriero |
10 October 2024 |
| Tirana | Bledi Shkëmbi |
Mutual consent | 5 November 2024 | 7th | Gugash Magani |
6 November 2024 |
| Skënderbeu | Ivan Gvozdenović |
Resigned | 1 December 2024 | 9th | Ernest Gjoka |
3 December 2024 |
| Elbasani | Roberto Bordin |
5 December 2024 | 5th | Ivan Gvozdenović |
6 December 2024 | |
| Tirana | Gugash Magani |
20 January 2025 | 9th | Bledi Shkëmbi |
20 January 2025 | |
| Teuta | Edi Martini |
21 January 2025 | 7th | Bledar Devolli |
22 January 2025 | |
| Bylis | Nevil Dede |
9 February 2025 | 6th | Gentian Mezani |
11 February 2025 | |
| Teuta | Bledar Devolli |
Sacked | 17 February 2025 | 9th | Bledar Hodo |
17 February 2025 |
| Partizani | Aleksandar Veselinović |
21 February 2025 | 4th | Arbër Abilaliaj |
21 February 2025 | |
| Partizani | Arbër Abilaliaj |
End of caretaker spell | 28 March 2025 | 4th | Skënder Gega |
28 March 2025 |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egnatia (C) | 36 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 47 | 30 | +17 | 59 | Qualification for the Final four round |
| 2 | Vllaznia | 36 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 54 | 39 | +15 | 57 | |
| 3 | Dinamo City | 36 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 49 | 41 | +8 | 55 | |
| 4 | Partizani | 36 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 38 | 33 | +5 | 53 | |
| 5 | Elbasani | 36 | 11 | 17 | 8 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 50 | |
| 6 | Teuta | 36 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 29 | 42 | −13 | 44 | |
| 7 | Bylis | 36 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 33 | 50 | −17 | 42 | |
| 8 | Tirana (O) | 36 | 7 | 18 | 11 | 43 | 44 | −1 | 39 | Qualification for the relegation play-off |
| 9 | Skënderbeu (R) | 36 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 35 | 45 | −10 | 38 | Relegation to the 2025–26 Kategoria e Parë |
| 10 | Laçi (R) | 36 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 31 | 37 | −6 | 37 |
Source: Albanian Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Draw.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Draw.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Results
Clubs will play each other four times for a total of 36 matches each.
First half of season |
Second half of season
|
Final four round
A draw is conducted in order to decide the semi-finals. Seeding of teams is based on their league ranking, with two seeded teams and two unseeded. In the semi-finals, in case of a tie after 90 minutes, the team with the higher league ranking will qualify to the final.
Bracket
| Semi-finals | Final | |||||
| 4 May | ||||||
| Vllaznia | 2 | |||||
| 12 May | ||||||
| Dinamo City | 1 | |||||
| Vllaznia | 0 | |||||
| 5 May | ||||||
| Egnatia | 4 | |||||
| Egnatia (b.p.) | 0 | |||||
| Partizani | 0 | |||||
| Third place play-off | ||||||
| 10 May | ||||||
| Dinamo City | 1 | |||||
| Partizani | 2 | |||||
Semi-finals
Egnatia qualified to the final as the team with the better position in the regular season.
Third place play-off
| Dinamo City | 1−2 | Partizani |
|---|---|---|
Bregu  16' |
Malaj 37' Guxhufi 46' |
Referee: Florian Lata
Final
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Relegation play-off
Referee: Andi Koçi
Season statistics
Scoring
Top scorers
- As of 12 May 2025
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bekim Balaj |
Vllaznia | 19 |
| 2 | Regi Lushkja |
Egnatia | 16 |
| 3 | Peter Itodo |
Dinamo City | 13 |
 Walid Jarmouni |
Tirana | ||
| 5 |  Baton Zabërgja |
Dinamo City | 12 |
| 6 | Dejvi Bregu |
Dinamo City | 11 |
 Saleh Nasr |
Skënderbeu/Teuta |
Hat-tricks
| Player | Club | Against | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsen Lleshi |
Elbasani | Teuta | 3–1 (H) | 11 January 2025 |
| Bekim Balaj |
Vllaznia | Skënderbeu | 0–4 (A) | 19 January 2025 |
| Saleh Nasr |
Skënderbeu | Dinamo City | 4–1 (H) | 30 March 2025 |
- Notes
(H) – Home team
(A) – Away team
Discipline
Player
- Most yellow cards: 16
Albano Aleksi (Egnatia)
- Most red cards: 2
Bakary Goudiaby (Dinamo City)
McCarthy Ofori (Bylis)
Melos Bajrami (Vllaznia)
William Cordeiro (Laçi)
Awards
Annual awards
| Award | Winner | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Manager of the Season | Edlir Tetova |
Egnatia |
| Player of the Season | Bekim Balaj |
Vllaznia |
| Young Player of the Season | Fabjan Përndreca |
Bylis |
| Team of the Year | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Mario Dajsinani (Egnatia) | |||||||||||
| Defenders | Arsid Kruja (Teuta) |
Marçelino Preka (Partizani) |
Naser Aliji (Dinamo City) |
Emiljano Musta (Elbasani) | ||||||||
| Midfielders | Esat Mala (Vllaznia) |
Serxho Ujka (Egnatia) |
Regi Lushkja (Egnatia) | |||||||||
| Forwards | Baton Zabërgja (Dinamo City) |
Bekim Balaj (Vllaznia) |
Kevin Dodaj (Vllaznia) | |||||||||
Source:[3]