Prior to the Conference, the member clubs of the Professional Football League of Ukraine had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the proposed options for holding the competition and make their suggestions. It is pleasant to note that there were many proposals and additions that were consistently considered by all participants of the competition and eventually adopted the format of the Ukrainian Football Championship among the teams of the first and second leagues for the 2024/2025 season.
Photo: fcepicentr.com.uaAs for the first league, the basis is the version successfully implemented in the last two seasons. the first league in the first stage is divided into two groups of 9 teams on a geographical basis, which play in two rounds each with each other - a total of 18 rounds are planned, 72 matches in each group in the first stage. There will be 16 matches for each team, and 144 matches in total.
In the second stage, the first league will play according to the usual division into the Champion group and the Elimination group, but there is an important nuance. According to the results of the first stage, the 1st-4th places of groups (A and B) form a group for the UPL, taking into account all indicators (points, goals, including disciplinary sanctions, etc.) of the first stage. That is, the Champion group will feature the 8 best participants - 8 matches for each team. According to the results of the second stage, the first two teams will be eligible for direct promotion to the UPL, while the third and fourth teams will play playoff matches for promotion.
According to the results of the first stage, the 5th-9th places of Groups A and B will form a group for the right to play in the first league, taking into account all indicators (points, goals, including disciplinary sanctions, etc.) of the first stage. In total, there will be 10 teams and 10 matches for each of them. The teams of the "Elimination" group, which will take 6-7 places, will play butt matches
with the 2nd and 3rd places of the second league. Teams that finish in 8-10th place will be promoted directly to the second league.
An important clarification: in the second stage, Group A teams play matches only with Group B teams in two rounds, with a total of 32 matches in the Champions Group and 50 matches in the Elimination Group. In total, 226 matches will be played in the First League Championship 2024/2025.
For the first time since the full-scale invasion, the Second League will be divided into two groups based on geography. Two groups of 12 teams will play in 2 rounds - 22 rounds + 2 playoff matches (1st and 2nd place groups), thus 132 matches will be held in each group. Another innovation will be playoff matches directly in the second league. There will be additional final playoff matches for 1st and 3rd place. The winner of the second league, who wins the final match between the best teams of Groups A and B, will be promoted directly to the first league. The team that loses the final plays a head-to-head match with the 15th-ranked team from the first league. The winner of the playoffs for 3rd place plays a butt match with the 14th place team in the first league. The teams that took 1st and 2nd place in the groups play two matches - home and away (the order is determined by a draw). Additional matches are played by the teams that will play butt matches with the teams of the PFL First League.
The format adopted by the PFL participants after a fruitful discussion takes into account the wishes of the clubs and helps to save on travel due to geographical division and good calendar content, including the playoffs and the second stage. We emphasize that, of course, the classic format of 16 teams in two rounds remains a priority, but in these difficult times, the best option is being achieved in the interests of the clubs, which will contribute to savings and better logistics of the competition.
