The Bulgarian First League: The Top Tier of Bulgarian Football

The Bulgarian First League, officially known as the efbet League for sponsorship reasons, is the premier professional football competition in Bulgaria. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Second League and represents the highest level of domestic football in the country. The league has a rich history dating back to 1924 and has been the stage for legendary Bulgarian players and iconic clubs.

League Format and Championship Decider

The First League season typically runs from July to May. The 16 teams first play a conventional double round-robin schedule, totaling 30 matches per team. Following this, the league splits into a championship group (top six) and a relegation group (bottom ten). Points are carried over, and teams within each group play additional matches against each other. This format intensifies the battle for the title and European qualification at the top, while heightening the fight for survival at the bottom. The team finishing first is crowned champion of Bulgaria.

European Qualification and Relegation

The champion earns a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. The runners-up and the third-placed team, along with the Bulgarian Cup winner, qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League. At the opposite end of the table, the bottom two teams are directly relegated to the Second League, while the 14th-placed team enters a playoff against a team from the Second League for the final top-flight spot.

Dominant Force and Current Champion

For over a decade, the league has been dominated by Ludogorets Razgrad, a club that has won the title consistently since 2012, establishing a modern-era dynasty. Their success has made them regulars in European group stages. Other historic clubs with passionate support include CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia, whose derby is known as the "Eternal Derby" and is one of the fiercest rivalries in Eastern European football. The current holder of the Bulgarian First League title is Ludogorets Razgrad, who continue to set the standard domestically.

Development and Future

The First League is crucial for the development of Bulgarian football talent, providing a platform for players to showcase their skills before moves to larger European leagues. While financial disparities exist, the league remains passionately followed and is the heartbeat of the sport in Bulgaria, where historic rivalries and the quest to dethrone Ludogorets create each season's narrative.