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Czech First League

FieldValue
logoChance Liga, Czech First League, since 2024.jpg
organiserCzech Football League Association
countryCzech Republic
confedUEFA
founded
relegationCzech National Football League
level1
teams16
domest_cupCzech Cup
confed_cupUEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa League
UEFA Conference League
season2024–25
championsSlavia Prague (8th title)
most_champsSparta Prague (14 titles)
top_goalscorerDavid Lafata (198 goals)
website
current2025–26 Czech First League
pyramidCzech_Republic_football_league_systemname=Chance Liga

UEFA Europa League UEFA Conference League The Czech First League () also known as the Chance Liga for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in the Czech Republic and the highest level of the Czech Republic football league system. Seasons typically run from August to May, most games are played on Saturdays and Sundays with few games played on Fridays. All Chance Liga clubs qualify for the Czech Cup.

The history of the Czech football league began with its reorganization for the 1993–94 season following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and therefore the league became the successor of the Czechoslovak League. Thirty-five clubs have competed in the Czech First League since its founding. Sparta Prague has won the title 14 times, the most among Czech clubs and are the reigning champions. Other clubs that were crowned as champions are Slavia Prague, Slovan Liberec, Baník Ostrava and Viktoria Plzeň.

Based on performances in European competitions over the past five years, the league is ranked 10th in the UEFA league rankings for the 2024–25 season.

Competition format

In the inaugural season, two points were awarded for a win, before switching to three points for a win in 1994. Teams are ranked by total points, in the case of two or more teams finishing with equal points, the head-to-head record between the teams is used for ranking, counting points in relevant games, then goal difference and then goals scored.

1993–2018

There were 16 clubs in the league. During the course of a season, which lasted from August to May, each club played the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 30 games.

New format

The 2018–19 season was the first season played with the new competition format. After the regular season, which lasts from July to April and involves each team playing every other team home and away, the teams are divided into three groups. The top six teams enter the championship group, with the first-placed team being named champions. The teams play against each other only once, playing total of five additional matches. Points earned are added to the points from the regular season.

The teams 7th–10th position after 30 games take part in the Europa League play-offs. The best of them play against the fourth-placed or fifth-placed (it depends on the result of the Czech Cup and on the Czech coefficient rankings between European football leagues) of the championship group to determine who will participate in the Europa League.

The teams from 11th to 16th position play in the same format as the championship group. The team finishing in 16th position is relegated directly to the Czech National Football League, while teams in 15th and 14th places play relegation play-offs against teams finishing 2nd and 3rd in the Czech National Football League.

Changes in 2020–21

Due to positive tests for Covid-19 in the 2019–20 season the relegation group was abandoned. The league announced that due to time pressure the relegation group would remain unfinished and as a consequence, no team could be relegated. As the winner of the second league should be promoted, and to avoid playing the 2020–21 season with an odd number of teams, automatic promotion was granted to the second placed team as well. There were 18 clubs in the league, each club played the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 34 games. The three lowest placed teams were relegated to the second tier (Czech National Football League). From the 2021–22 season, the system returned to its previous format.

Champions

Main article: List of Czech football champions

Year by year

SeasonChampionsRunners-upThird placeTop goalscorer(s) (goals)Club(s)
1993–94Sparta Prague (1)Slavia PragueBaník OstravaCZE Horst Siegl (20)
1994–95Sparta Prague (2)Slavia PragueBoby BrnoCZE Radek Drulák (15)
1995–96Slavia Prague (1)Sigma OlomoucJablonecCZE Radek Drulák (22)
1996–97Sparta Prague (3)Slavia PragueJablonecCZE Horst Siegl (19)
1997–98Sparta Prague (4)Slavia PragueSigma OlomoucCZE Horst Siegl (13)
1998–99Sparta Prague (5)TepliceSlavia PragueCZE Horst Siegl (18)
1999–00Sparta Prague (6)Slavia PragueDrnoviceCZE Vratislav Lokvenc (22)
2000–01Sparta Prague (7)Slavia PragueSigma OlomoucCZE Vítězslav Tuma (15)
2001–02Slovan Liberec (1)Sparta PragueViktoria ŽižkovCZE Jiří Štajner (15)
2002–03Sparta Prague (8)Slavia PragueViktoria ŽižkovCZE Jiří Kowalík (16)
2003–04Baník Ostrava (1)Sparta PragueSigma OlomoucCZE Marek Heinz (19)
2004–05Sparta Prague (9)Slavia PragueTepliceCZE Tomáš Jun (14)
2005–06Slovan Liberec (2)Mladá BoleslavSlavia PragueSVK Milan Ivana (11)
2006–07Sparta Prague (10)Slavia PragueMladá BoleslavCZE Luboš Pecka (16)
2007–08Slavia Prague (2)Sparta PragueBaník OstravaCZE Václav Svěrkoš (15)
2008–09Slavia Prague (3)Sparta PragueSlovan LiberecCRO Andrej Kerić (15)
2009–10Sparta Prague (11)JablonecBaník OstravaCZE Michal Ordoš (12)
2010–11Viktoria Plzeň (1)Sparta PragueJablonecCZE David Lafata (19)
2011–12Slovan Liberec (3)Sparta PragueViktoria PlzeňCZE David Lafata (25)
2012–13Viktoria Plzeň (2)Sparta PragueSlovan LiberecCZE David Lafata (20)
2013–14Sparta Prague (12)Viktoria PlzeňMladá BoleslavCZE Josef Hušbauer (18)
2014–15Viktoria Plzeň (3)Sparta PragueJablonecCZE David Lafata (20)
2015–16Viktoria Plzeň (4)Sparta PragueSlovan LiberecCZE David Lafata (20)
2016–17Slavia Prague (4)Viktoria PlzeňSparta PragueCZE Milan Škoda / CZE David Lafata (15)
2017–18Viktoria Plzeň (5)Slavia PragueJablonecCZE Michael Krmenčík (16)
2018–19Slavia Prague (5)Viktoria PlzeňSparta PragueRUS Nikolay Komlichenko (29)
2019–20Slavia Prague (6)Viktoria PlzeňSparta PragueCZE Libor Kozák / CRO Petar Musa (14)
2020–21Slavia Prague (7)Sparta PragueJablonecCZE Jan Kuchta / CZE Adam Hložek (15)
2021–22Viktoria Plzeň (6)Slavia PragueSparta PragueFRA Jean-David Beauguel (19)
2022–23Sparta Prague (13)Slavia PragueViktoria PlzeňCZE Václav Jurečka (20)
2023–24Sparta Prague (14)Slavia PragueViktoria PlzeňCZE Václav Jurečka (19)
2024–25Slavia Prague (8)Viktoria PlzeňBaník OstravaCZE Jan Kliment (18)

Performance by club

ClubWinnersRunners-upWinning years
Sparta Prague1993–94, 1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2022–23, 2023–24
Slavia Prague1995–96, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2024–25
Viktoria Plzeň2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2021–22
Slovan Liberec2001–02, 2005–06, 2011–12
Baník Ostrava2003–04
Sigma Olomouc
Teplice
Mladá Boleslav
Jablonec

Participating teams in 2025–26

Czech First League trophy (2013)

Map

2025–26 season

The following 16 clubs are competing in the 2025–26 Czech First League.

TeamLocationStadiumCapacityRef.
Bohemians 1905PragueĎolíček6,300
FK Dukla PraguePragueStadion Juliska8,150
FC Hradec KrálovéHradec KrálovéMalšovická aréna9,300
FK JablonecJablonec nad NisouStadion Střelnice5,690
MFK KarvináKarvináMěstský stadion (Karviná)4,833
FC Slovan LiberecLiberecStadion u Nisy9,900
FK Mladá BoleslavMladá BoleslavLokotrans Aréna5,000
SK Sigma OlomoucOlomoucAndrův stadion12,474
FC Baník OstravaOstravaMěstský stadion (Ostrava)15,081
FK PardubicePardubiceCFIG Arena4,620
FC Viktoria PlzeňPlzeňDoosan Arena11,597
SK Slavia PraguePragueFortuna Arena19,370
1. FC SlováckoUherské HradištěMěstský fotbalový stadion Miroslava Valenty8,000
AC Sparta PraguePragueepet ARENA18,349
FK TepliceTepliceNa Stínadlech17,078
FC ZlínZlínLetná Stadion5,898

Managers

|- | Viktoria Plzeň || CZE || |- | Baník Ostrava || CZE || |- | Sparta Prague || || |- | Jablonec || CZE || |- | Sigma Olomouc || CZE || |- | Hradec Králové || CZE || |- | Bohemians 1905 || CZE || |- | Slovan Liberec || CZE || |- | Karviná || CZE || |- | Teplice || SVK || |- | Mladá Boleslav || || |- | Slovácko || CZE || |- | Dukla Prague || CZE || |- | Pardubice || CZE || |- | Zlín || || |}

Sponsorship

FORTUNA:LIGA (2016–2024)

In 1997 the league started a sponsorship deal with Pilsner Urquell Brewery and became known as the Gambrinus liga (after the company's Gambrinus beer). In 2008, the sponsorship was extended until the end of the 2013–14 season.

In May 2014, the league announced a four-year sponsorship deal with betting firm Synot, becoming the Synot liga. However, in January 2016 the company announced that their deal would conclude at the end of the 2015–16 season.

In July 2016 a new two-year sponsorship deal was announced, with the league partnering ePojisteni.cz, an online insurance company. The league subsequently became known as the ePojisteni.cz liga. Due to a government subsidy scandal and the arrest of FAČR chairman , ePojisteni.cz terminated the contract prematurely in May 2017. The league was then renamed HET liga for the 2017–18 season, after paint manufacturer HET.

In October 2016, FAČR, League Football Association and Czech betting company Fortuna signed a 6-year partnership deal. In accordance with this deal, the Czech First League will be called Fortuna liga from the 2018–19 season.

In April 2024, a new partnership deal was announced with the betting company Chance. In accordance with this deal, the Czech First League will be called Chance Liga from the 2024–25 season.

Media coverage

CountryBroadcaster
Sportdigital, DAZN, Sport1 Extra
O2 TV, Tipsport, Chance, Fortuna
Telesport
Belarus 5
Polsat Sport, Ipla
Telekom Sport
VOYO
TV 3
Arena Sport
Time Sports
Rest of the WorldOneFootball

All time table

After the 2024–25 season.

The table counts all the seasons since the Czech First League was founded in 1993. Highlighted teams will be competing in the 2025–26 Czech First League.

PosTeamSPldWDLGFGAGDPtsLevel (2025–26)
1AC Sparta Prague329946212071661891847104420521st tier
2SK Slavia Prague32994558246190175887788119041st tier
3FC Slovan Liberec329854162712981325109223315081st tier
4FC Viktoria Plzeň28874436202236137195142014981st tier
5FK Jablonec319643762733151308114616214011st tier
6FC Baník Ostrava31965345274346128912226712951st tier
7SK Sigma Olomouc30925347260318118611018512871st tier
8FK Teplice2989831625432811001141−4112021st tier
9FC Zbrojovka Brno267892552063289141069−1559612nd tier
10FK Mladá Boleslav21661262171228982883999571st tier
111. FC Slovácko23721247190284838919−819311st tier
12Bohemians 1905237222052073107521004−2528141st tier
13SK Dynamo České Budějovice247402001963447681160−3927852nd tier
14FK Příbram22672191172309697986−2897452rd tier
15FC Zlín19596162164270594859−2656401st tier
16FC Hradec Králové18558155150253539774−2356061st tier
17FK Viktoria Žižkov14420144106170478539−615262nd tier
18FK Drnovice1030011467119392398−6396Dissolved in 2006
19SFC Opava113428389170347532−1853382nd tier
20FK Dukla Prague103108586139359475−1163401st tier
21FK Chmel Blšany82406763110255350−95264Dissolved in 2016
22MFK Karviná82646171132286424−1382541st tier
23FC Vysočina Jihlava7210556194221315−942262nd tier
24FK Pardubice5174523587185276−911911st tier
25SK Kladno412028306299173−741143th tier
26FC Union Cheb39029263595121−261005th tier
27FK SIAD Most39019304196140−4487Dissolved in 2016
28FK Bohemians Prague2601483860111−5150Dissolved in 2016
29FC Karviná26012123653105−5248Merged with MFK Karviná in 2008
301. SC Znojmo FK13069153249−17273rd tier
31FK Ústí nad Labem13047192267−45192rd tier
32Slovácká Slavia Uherské Hradiště13038191965−4617Merged with Slovácko in 2000
33MFK Vítkovice13037202264−42133th tier
34FK Švarc Benešov13033242378−55124th tier
35AFK Atlantic Lázně Bohdaneč13025231861−4311Dissolved in 2000
  • Point deductions are not counted in this historical table (2004–05: 1. FC Slovácko −12, SFC Opava −6, Slovan Liberec −6; 2009–10: Bohemians Praha (Střížkov) −15; 2011–12: Sigma Olomouc −9).
  • A win was awarded with 2 points in the 1993–94 season.

Statistics

UEFA coefficients

The following data indicates Czech coefficient rankings between European football leagues. 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 8,11,11,12, 9,12,14,13,15,18, 18,18,19,17,15,14,13,11,13,13,15,17,16,15,10

;UEFA Country ranking:

;UEFA Club ranking:

Attendance

SeasonTotalAverageHighestHome Av.Club
1993–941,116,8854,66323,1119,501Brno
1994–951,380,0605,75034,77020,523Brno
1995–961,225,7555,12926,87212,283Brno
1996–971,710,0457,15544,12021,659Brno
1997–981,477,5156,15631,73015,365Brno
1998–991,447,8756,03324,40013,207Brno
1999–001,433,3555,97223,80011,280Opava
2000–011,091,8824,54916,3507,718Olomouc
2001–021,113,3254,72216,3007,490Ostrava
2002–03935,9273,89918,2286,175Sparta Prague
2003–041,158,5234,82720,03215,376Ostrava
2004–05921,6583,84015,4198,028Ostrava
2005–06980,6334,08520,3187,211Sparta Prague
2006–071,173,8694,89120,56511,848Sparta Prague
2007–081,237,6605,15620,69811,022Ostrava
2008–091,119,4104,66420,50011,971Slavia Prague
2009–101,177,0144,92419,37010,766Sparta Prague
2010–111,073,6904,47318,8738,665Sparta Prague
2011–121,130,5404,71018,29910,322Sparta Prague
2012–131,151,4644,79719,41010,046Plzeň
2013–141,216,3895,06819,08911,340Sparta Prague
2014–151,137,1314,73818,66510,868Plzeň
2015–161,219,3665,08018,68410,618Plzeň
2016–171,172,6194,88619,08411,625Slavia Prague
2017–181,331,0165,54619,08412,431Slavia Prague
2018–191,533,3905,53619,37013,456Slavia Prague
2019–201,153,3574,47019,37010,851Slavia Prague
2020–21165,5026009,2853,709Slavia Prague
2021–221,055,8063,82519,37010,989Slavia Prague
2022–231,535,5005,56319,37014,729Slavia Prague
2023–241,782,3876,43519,37017,688Slavia Prague
2024–251,704,8326,17719,37018,306Slavia Prague

Records

Main article: Czech First League records and statistics

Most appearances

RankPlayerMatches
1CZE Milan Petržela527
2CZE Josef Jindřišek448
3CZE Václav Procházka447
4CZE Marek Matějovský443
5CZE Stanislav Vlček436
6CZE Martin Vaniak432
CZE Rudolf Otepka
8CZE Pavel Horváth426
9CZE Jiří Fleišman423
10CZE David Lafata418

Top scorers

RankPlayerGoalsMatches
1CZE David Lafata198418
2CZE Horst Siegl134310
3CZE Libor Došek125407
4CZE Jan Chramosta110381
5CZE Milan Škoda104346
6CZE Jakub Řezníček99356
7CZE Stanislav Vlček94436
8CZE Luděk Zelenka92342
9CZE Marek Kulič88389
10CZE Martin Doležal87305

Most clean sheets

RankPlayerClean sheetsMatches
1CZE Jaromír Blažek157401
2CZE Martin Vaniak153432
3CZE Tomáš Grigar117376
4SVK Matúš Kozáčik111242
5CZE Tomáš Poštulka110309
6CZE Michal Špit101300
7CZE Radek Černý90212
CZE Ondřej Kolář186
CZE Jan Laštůvka275
10CZE Petr Drobisz88289
CZE Aleš Hruška308

Matches

RecordMatchScoreSeason
Most goals totalZlín–Mladá Boleslav5–92023–24
Home team's highest winSlavia–Slovácká Slavia Uherské Hradiště9–11995–96
Away team's highest winTeplice–Mladá Boleslav0–82018–19
Highest drawJablonec–Znojmo5–52013–14

References

References

  1. (3 August 1994). "A Recap: Red Cards, TV Woes, Goodbye Dukla". Prague Post.
  2. (23 July 2020). "Další komplikace pro fotbalovou ligu. Opava hlásí nákazu koronavirem a jde do karantény".
  3. "Club info Bohemians 1905". Chance Liga.
  4. "Club info FK Dukla Praha". Chance Liga.
  5. "Club info FC Hradec Králové". Chance Liga.
  6. "Club info FK Jablonec". Chance Liga.
  7. "Club info MFK Karviná". Chance Liga.
  8. "Club info FC Slovan Liberec". Chance Liga.
  9. "Club info FK Mladá Boleslav". Chance Liga.
  10. "Club info SK Sigma Olomouc". Chance Liga.
  11. "Club info FC Baník Ostrava". Chance Liga.
  12. "Club info FK Pardubice". Chance Liga.
  13. "Club info FC Viktoria Plzeň". Chance Liga.
  14. "Club info SK Slavia Praha". Chance Liga.
  15. "Club info 1. FC Slovácko". Chance Liga.
  16. "Club info AC Sparta Praha". Chance Liga.
  17. "Club info FK Teplice". Chance Liga.
  18. (22 December 2017). "Slavia už má náhradu za Šilhavého. Trenérem jmenovala Trpišovského".
  19. (15 October 2025). "Plzeň má nového trenéra, Hyský podepsal s Viktorií tříletou smlouvu". [[Czech Television]].
  20. Tomaškovič, Jiří. (12 October 2025). "Baník má nového trenéra. Stal se jím Galásek". Borgis.
  21. (8 June 2025). "Dánský trenér Priske po roce znovu povede fotbalisty Sparty". [[Czech News Agency]].
  22. Preisler, Hynek. (17 June 2024). "Pikantní přesun z Liberce do Jablonce potvrzen. Kozel bere Peltův klub". Borgis.
  23. (29 May 2024). "Potvrzeno, Janotka novým trenérem Sigmy. Ani jsem o tom nesnil, říká".
  24. Malý, Jan. (28 February 2024). "Hradec přebírá Horejš. Kotal končí kvůli zdraví, může se stát konzultantem". Borgis.
  25. (21 March 2022). "U fotbalistů Bohemians končí trenér Klusáček. Nahradí ho dosavadní asistent Veselý".
  26. (26 May 2024). "Liberec potvrdil příchod trenéra Kováče, podepsal s ním dlouhodobou smlouvu".
  27. (15 October 2025). "Marek Jarolím je novým trenérem Karviné".
  28. (6 March 2023). "Fotbalisty Teplic povede po Jarošíkovi dosavadní šéftrenér mládeže Frťala".
  29. (2 June 2025). "Fotbalisty Mladé Boleslavi povede trenér Majer, v první lize bude debutovat". [[Czech News Agency]].
  30. (18 November 2025). "Poslední tým fotbalové ligy Slovácko převzal trenér Roman Skuhravý". [[Czech News Agency]].
  31. (16 June 2025). "Duklu po Radovi podle očekávání převzal trenér Holoubek". [[Czech News Agency]].
  32. Fejgl, Jiří. (14 October 2025). "Novinky v Pardubicích: Krejčí se vrací na starou pozici, přichází asistent z Plzně". [[Czech News Center]].
  33. (25 October 2023). "Potvrzeno, fotbalisty Zlína přebírá po Vrbovi trenér Červenka". iDNES.cz.
  34. (28 July 2008). "Gambrinus zůstává u fotbalu dalších šest let".
  35. (28 July 2008). "Gambrinus liga se bude hrát dalších šest let". Mafra.
  36. (28 May 2014). "Alkohol střídá hazard. Z Gambrinus ligy bude Synot liga".
  37. (21 January 2016). "Synot končí s podporou fotbalové ligy. O sponzora přijde Sparta, Jablonec i Nymburk". [[Economia]].
  38. (29 May 2017). "Titulární sponzor fotbalové ligy končí i kvůli Peltově aféře. Podobný krok zvažuje i Tvrdík s CEFC". [[Economia]].
  39. (21 June 2017). "Fotbalová liga znovu mění název, rok se bude jmenovat po barvách HET". [[Mafra (company).
  40. (18 October 2016). "Fortuna je partnerem reprezentace a dá jméno první lize. Pelta: Výše kontraktu nemá obdoby". [[Economia]].
  41. (17 April 2024). "Čtvrt miliardy za jméno fotbalové ligy. Tendr vyhrála sázková kancelář Chance". [[Mafra (company).
  42. "Tabulka". Chance Liga.
  43. "UEFA European Cup Coefficients Database". Bert Kassies.
  44. "UEFA Country Ranking 2024".
  45. "Club coefficients".
  46. "Stats Leaders". Fortuna Liga.
  47. "Detailed stats: Players". Chance Liga.
  48. "Detailed stats: Goalkeepers". Chance Liga.
  49. "Detailed stats: Games". Chance Liga.
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