2025–26 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria)
102nd season of top-tier football league in Bulgaria
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The 2025–26 First Professional Football League, also known as efbet League for sponsorship reasons,[1] is 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 began on 18 July 2025 and will end on 29 May 2026.
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 18 July 2025 – 29 May 2026 |
| Champions | Levski Sofia (27th title) |
| Matches | 260 |
| Goals | 603 (2.32 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Everton Bala Mamadou Diallo (tied at 17 goals) |
| Best goalkeeper | Anatoli Gospodinov (14 clean sheets) |
| Biggest home win | Levski 7–0 Septemvri (30 November 2025) |
| Biggest away win | Botev Plovdiv 0–5 Arda (4 August 2025) Lokomotiv Plovdiv 0–5 CSKA 1948 (5 March 2026) |
| Highest scoring | CSKA 1948 5–4 Ludogorets (27 October 2025) |
| Longest winning run | 7 games CSKA Sofia |
| Longest unbeaten run | 11 games Slavia, Ludogorets |
| Longest winless run | 22 games Montana |
| Longest losing run | 6 games Montana |
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 19:36, 6 May 2026 (UTC). | |
Ludogorets Razgrad were the 14-time defending champions, but they were unable to defend their title. On May 2, 2026, Levski Sofia won their 27th title and first since 2009 with four games to spare after a 1–0 win over local rivals CSKA 1948.
Overview
First League will be reduced from 16 to 14 teams in 2026–27, so that the teams placed 14th to 16th in the Relegation round will automatically be relegated to Second League, while the 13th place team will play a promotion/relegation playoff against the 2nd place team from Second League.
Teams
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]
| Promoted from 2024–25 Second League |
Relegated from 2024–25 First League |
|---|---|
| Dobrudzha Montana |
Hebar Krumovgrad |
Stadiums and locations
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arda | Kardzhali | Arena Arda | 11,114 |
| Beroe | Stara Zagora | Stadion Beroe | 12,128 |
| Botev Plovdiv | Plovdiv | Stadion Hristo Botev | 18,777 |
| Botev Vratsa | Vratsa | Stadion Hristo Botev | 8,935 |
| Cherno More | Varna | Stadion Ticha | 6,250 |
| CSKA 1948 | Bistritsa | Stadion Bistritsa | 3,000 |
| CSKA Sofia | Sofia | Vasil Levski National Stadium | 43,230 |
| Dobrudzha | Dobrich | Stadion Druzhba | 12,500 |
| Levski Sofia | Sofia | Stadion Georgi Asparuhov | 17,688 |
| Lokomotiv Plovdiv | Plovdiv | Stadion Lokomotiv | 10,000 |
| Lokomotiv Sofia | Sofia | Stadion Lokomotiv | 11,200 |
| Ludogorets Razgrad | Razgrad | Huvepharma Arena | 10,423 |
| Montana | Montana | Stadion Ogosta | 7,000 |
| Septemvri Sofia | Sofia | Stadion Lokomotiv | 11,200 |
| Slavia Sofia | Sofia | Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov | 25,000 |
| Spartak Varna | Varna | Stadion Spartak | 7,000 |
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 | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsors | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main | Other(s) | ||||
| Arda | Uhlsport | efbet | List
| ||
| Beroe | Nike | 8888.bg | List
| ||
| Botev Plovdiv | Macron | WinBet | List
| ||
| Botev Vratsa | Erima | WinBet | List
| ||
| Cherno More | Macron | Armeets | List
| ||
| CSKA 1948 | Jako | efbet | List
| ||
| CSKA Sofia | Macron | WinBet | List
| ||
| Dobrudzha | Adidas | Bethub | List
| ||
| Levski Sofia | Adidas | PalmsBet | List
| ||
| Lokomotiv Plovdiv | Joma | WinBet | List
| ||
| Lokomotiv Sofia | Macron | 8888.bg | List
| ||
| Ludogorets Razgrad | Jako | efbet | List
| ||
| Montana | Jako | efbet | List
| ||
| Septemvri Sofia | Uhlsport | 8888.bg | List
| ||
| Slavia Sofia | Joma | bet365 | List
| ||
| Spartak Varna | Nike | efbet | List
| ||
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
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botev Plovdiv | Resigned | 26 May 2025[6] | Pre-season | 28 June 2025[7] | ||
| Lokomotiv Sofia | Mutual agreement | 29 May 2025[8] | 30 May 2025[9] | |||
| CSKA Sofia | End of contract | 31 May 2025[10] | 4 June 2025[11] | |||
| Spartak Varna | 31 May 2025[12] | 9 July 2025[13] | ||||
| Septemvri Sofia | Resigned | 1 June 2025[14] | 5 June 2025[15] | |||
| Ludogorets Razgrad | Mutual agreement | 9 June 2025[16] | 13 June 2025[17] | |||
| Beroe | End of interim spell | 6 July 2025 | 6 July 2025[18] | |||
| Montana | Resigned | 9 August 2025[19] | 13th | 11 August 2025[20] | ||
| Beroe | Mutual agreement | 3 September 2025 | 9th | 3 September 2025[21] | ||
| CSKA Sofia | Sacked | 20 September 2025 | 12th | 20 September 2025[22] | ||
| Botev Vratsa | Mutual agreement | 24 September 2025 | 7th | 24 September 2025[23] | ||
| CSKA Sofia | End of interim spell | 24 September 2025 | 12th | 24 September 2025[24] | ||
| Botev Plovdiv | Resigned | 25 September 2025 | 14th | 25 September 2025[25] | ||
| Slavia Sofia | 11 October 2025 | 13th | 11 October 2025[26] | |||
| Septemvri Sofia | 28 October 2025[27] | 15th | 28 October 2025 | |||
| Ludogorets Razgrad | Sacked | 29 October 2025[28] | 4th | 29 October 2025 | ||
| Septemvri Sofia | End of interim spell | 30 October 2025 | 15th | 30 October 2025[29] | ||
| Botev Plovdiv | 17 November 2025 | 9th | 17 November 2025[30] | |||
| Ludogorets Razgrad | 21 November 2025 | 5th | 21 November 2025[31] | |||
| Beroe | Sacked | 24 November 2025 | 13th | 24 November 2025[32] | ||
| End of interim spell | 27 November 2025 | 13th | 27 November 2025[33] | |||
| Montana | Sacked | 20 December 2025[34] | 14th | 29 December 2025[35] | ||
| Dobrudzha | Mutual agreement | 31 December 2025[36] | 16th | 4 January 2026[37] | ||
| Septemvri Sofia | 11 February 2026[38] | 16th | 12 February 2026[39] | |||
| CSKA 1948 | Resigned | 12 February 2026[40] | 2nd | 12 February 2026[40] | ||
| Botev Plovdiv | Mutual agreement | 16 February 2026[41] | 11th | 19 February 2026[42] | ||
| Montana | Resigned | 10 March 2026[43] | 16th | 17 March 2026[44] | ||
| Lokomotiv Sofia | Mutual agreement | 28 April 2025[45] | 11th | 28 April 2025[46] |
Regular season
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Levski Sofia | 30 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 64 | 22 | +42 | 70 | Qualification for the Championship group |
| 2 | Ludogorets Razgrad | 30 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 57 | 20 | +37 | 60 | |
| 3 | CSKA 1948 | 30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 50 | 31 | +19 | 59 | |
| 4 | CSKA Sofia | 30 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 43 | 23 | +20 | 56 | |
| 5 | Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 30 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 30 | 33 | −3 | 46 | Qualification for the Conference League group |
| 6 | Cherno More | 30 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 33 | 26 | +7 | 44[a] | |
| 7 | Arda | 30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 33 | 27 | +6 | 44[a] | |
| 8 | Botev Plovdiv | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 40 | 37 | +3 | 40 | |
| 9 | Slavia Sofia | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 36 | 33 | +3 | 39 | Qualification for the Relegation group |
| 10 | Botev Vratsa | 30 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 24 | 26 | −2 | 38 | |
| 11 | Lokomotiv Sofia | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 40 | 39 | +1 | 37 | |
| 12 | Spartak Varna | 30 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 50 | −25 | 27 | |
| 13 | Dobrudzha | 30 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 43 | −20 | 26[b] | |
| 14 | Septemvri Sofia | 30 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 25 | 58 | −33 | 26[b] | |
| 15 | Beroe | 30 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 44 | −25 | 23 | |
| 16 | Montana | 30 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 15 | 45 | −30 | 17 |
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[47]
Notes:
Positions by round
Number = One less match played per underline.
Results by round
Results are shown in order of play.
Rescheduled results are underlined, with their original round being shown as superscript.
Results
Rescheduled matches
| Round | Home team | Away team | Original date | New date | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Arda | CSKA Sofia | 18 August 2025 | 18 September 2025 | Match was rescheduled after an official request by Arda due to their Conference League play-off match against Raków Częstochowa. |
| 6 | Botev Plovdiv | Levski | 25 August 2025 | 30 September 2025 | Match was rescheduled after an official request by Levski Sofia due to their Conference League play-off match against AZ Alkmaar. |
| Beroe | Ludogorets | 25 August 2025 | 19 December 2025 | Match was rescheduled after an official request by Ludogorets Razgrad due to their Europa League play-off matches against Shkëndija. | |
| 22 | Lokomotiv Sofia | Septemvri | 22 February 2026 | 17 March 2026 | Match was rescheduled due to significant snowfall and poor pitch condition. |
Play-offs
Championship group
Table
Points and goals carried over in full from regular season.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Levski (C, Q) | 32 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 68 | 23 | +45 | 76 | Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round |
| 2 | CSKA 1948 | 32 | 19 | 5 | 8 | 52 | 34 | +18 | 62 | Qualification for the Conference League second qualifying round |
| 3 | Ludogorets | 32 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 58 | 23 | +35 | 60 | Qualification for the Conference League play-off[a] |
| 4 | CSKA Sofia | 32 | 17 | 8 | 7 | 45 | 26 | +19 | 59 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in regular season; 3) Head-to-head points in regular season; 4) Head-to-head goal difference in regular season; 5) Head-to-head goals scored in regular season; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored in regular season (if two teams tied); 7) Goal difference; 8) Goals scored; 9) Fair play ranking; 10) Drawing of lots.
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
- The winners of the 2025–26 Bulgarian Cup (CSKA Sofia or Lokomotiv Plovdiv) qualify for the Europa League first qualifying round.
Positions by round
Results by round
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Results
Conference League group
Table
Points and goals carried over in full from regular season.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 32 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 32 | 34 | −2 | 49 | Qualification for the Conference League play-off |
| 6 | Cherno More | 32 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 34 | 26 | +8 | 48 | |
| 7 | Arda | 32 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 33 | 29 | +4 | 45 | |
| 8 | Botev Plovdiv | 32 | 12 | 7 | 13 | 42 | 39 | +3 | 43 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in regular season; 3) Head-to-head points in regular season; 4) Head-to-head goal difference in regular season; 5) Head-to-head goals scored in regular season; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored in regular season (if two teams tied); 7) Goal difference; 8) Goals scored; 9) Fair play ranking; 10) Drawing of lots.
Positions by round
Results by round
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Results
Relegation group
Table
Points and goals carried over in full from regular season.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Slavia | 33 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 39 | 38 | +1 | 43 | |
| 10 | Botev Vratsa | 33 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 29 | 30 | −1 | 43 | |
| 11 | Lokomotiv Sofia | 33 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 46 | 42 | +4 | 42 | |
| 12 | Beroe | 33 | 6 | 12 | 15 | 26 | 47 | −21 | 30 | |
| 13 | Septemvri | 33 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 28 | 62 | −34 | 28 | Qualification for the relegation play-off |
| 14 | Spartak Varna | 33 | 5 | 13 | 15 | 28 | 55 | −27 | 28 | Relegation to the Second League |
| 15 | Dobrudzha | 33 | 7 | 6 | 20 | 24 | 48 | −24 | 27 | |
| 16 | Montana | 33 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 19 | 48 | −29 | 22 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points in regular season; 3) Head-to-head points in regular season; 4) Head-to-head goal difference in regular season; 5) Head-to-head goals scored in regular season; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored in regular season (if two teams tied); 7) Goal difference; 8) Goals scored; 9) Fair play ranking; 10) Drawing of lots.
Positions by round
Results by round
Results
Season statistics
Top goalscorers
- As of 5 May 2026[50]
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Levski | 17 | |
| CSKA 1948 | |||
| 3 | Ludogorets | 16 | |
| 4 | CSKA Sofia | 13 | |
| 5 | Septemvri | 12 | |
| 6 | Beroe/Ludogorets | 10 | |
| 7 | Levski | 9 | |
| Montana | |||
| 9 | Lokomotiv Sofia | 8 | |
| Ludogorets | |||
| Cherno More | |||
| Botev Plovdiv | |||
| Botev Plovdiv/Levski | |||
| CSKA Sofia | |||
| Ludogorets |
Hat-tricks
- As of 2 May 2026
| Rnd | Player | Club | Goals | Date | Home | Score | Away | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Cherno More | 78', 89', 90'+6' (pen.) | 4 August 2025 | Cherno More | 4–0 | Beroe | [51] | |
| 4 | Beroe | 23', 27', 50' | 11 August 2025 | Septemvri | 2–3 | Beroe | [52] | |
Clean sheets
Player
| Rank | Goalkeeper | Club | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arda | 14 | |
| 2 | Levski | 13 | |
| 3 | Ludogorets | 12 | |
| CSKA Sofia | |||
| Lokomotiv Plovdiv | |||
| 6 | Botev Plovdiv | 10 | |
| Cherno More | |||
| 8 | Slavia | 9 | |
| 9 | Lokomotiv Sofia | 8 | |
| 10 | Botev Vratsa/CSKA Sofia | 7 | |
| Septemvri | |||
| CSKA 1948 |
Team
- Most clean sheets: 17
- Ludogorets
Discipline
- As of 5 May 2026[53]
Player
- Most yellow cards: 13
Reyan Daskalov (Lokomotiv Sofia)
- Most red cards: 2
Ryan Bidounga (Lokomotiv Sofia)
Erol Dost (Lokomotiv Sofia)
David Idowu (Arda)
Hristo Mitev (Lokomotiv Sofia)
Vajebah Sakor (Montana)
Adama Traoré (CSKA 1948)
Iliya Yurukov (Botev Vratsa)
Team
- Most yellow cards: 85
- Lokomotiv Plovdiv
- Fewest yellow cards: 55
- Slavia
- Most red cards: 9
- Lokomotiv Sofia
- Fewest red cards: 1
- Cherno More
- Levski
- Ludogorets