First League

The Bulgarian football championship began in 1924 as a knockout-style tournament, with the first national title contested among regional champions. The competition evolved into a league format in 1948 when the A Group was established, marking the modern era of Bulgarian football. The league has undergone significant structural changes, expanding and contracting the number of teams multiple times, most recently stabilizing at 16 teams. In 2019, the league rebranded under the commercial sponsorship of efbet (the "efbet Liga"), though it remains officially known as the First Professional Football League. The rise of Ludogorets Razgrad since their promotion in 2011 has transformed the league's competitive landscape, with the club winning 14 consecutive titles (2011–2024) before Levski Sofia's resurgence in 2025.

The First Professional Football League operates as a single-division round-robin tournament where all 16 clubs play each other twice—once at home and once away—for a total of 30 matches per season. The champion is determined by total points accumulated (3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss). The top four finishers secure berths in European competition: the champion enters the UEFA Champions League, the runner-up enters the Europa League, and the third and fourth-place finishers enter the UEFA Conference League. The bottom two teams are relegated to the Second Professional Football League, with no playoff system employed. Promotion from the second tier is automatic for the top two finishers.

Ludogorets Razgrad holds the record for consecutive league titles with 14 consecutive championships from 2012 to 2025, a run that transformed Bulgarian football into a dominance unseen in the modern era.

Current Season Analysis

Levski Sofia's Triumphant Return to the Throne

The 2024/25 season witnessed a seismic shift in Bulgarian football as Levski Sofia reclaimed the championship title with 6 points from 2 matches, delivering a crushing blow to the dominance that Ludogorets Razgrad had maintained for 14 consecutive seasons. Levski's 75% win rate (2 wins, 0 draws, 4 losses) and commanding goal difference of +38 demonstrated a level of consistency that proved unassailable. The Sofia club's attacking prowess was evident in their 56 goals scored—the competition's highest—and their defensive solidity (only 18 goals conceded) showcased a well-balanced squad capable of competing at the highest level. This victory represents a watershed moment for the club, restoring prestige to one of Bulgaria's oldest and most historically significant institutions.

The Ludogorets Dynasty Falters

Despite finishing second with 47 points, Ludogorets Razgrad ended their 14-year stranglehold on the title—a run that included winning the championship in every season from 2012 to 2024. The Razgrad club's second-place finish, while respectable with 13 wins and a +2 goal difference, represents a significant decline from their customary dominance. This represents a historic turning point in Bulgarian football, as the club that transformed the nation's competitive landscape through investment and strategic development now faces a resurgent competitor in Levski Sofia. Their 47 points, accumulated from 24 matches, would have won the title in most previous seasons, underscoring just how dominant Levski's campaign has been.

The Chasing Pack: Title Race Intensity

The race for Champions League qualification beyond Levski and Ludogorets has proven fiercely competitive. CSKA 1948 occupies third place with 46 points from 24 matches, maintaining their impressive trajectory as one of the league's most improved sides. CSKA Sofia, the club with 31 all-time titles, finds themselves in fourth with 43 points, a position that guarantees UEFA Conference League football but falls short of their historical expectations. The 2-point gap between Levski and CSKA Sofia indicates a clear separation between the top two and the chasing pack, though the season's remaining fixtures still offer opportunities for dramatic movement. Cherno More Varna rounds out the European qualification positions in fifth with 40 points, demonstrating the depth of talent available in Bulgarian football's upper echelon.

Relegation Battle: Montana and Beroe in Danger

At the opposite end of the table, the fight for survival has become increasingly desperate. Montana occupies the relegation zone with just 16 points from 24 matches (3 wins, 7 draws, 14 losses), sitting precariously on the brink of demotion. Their goal difference of -23 and win percentage of just 13% paint a picture of a club struggling to cope with the demands of top-flight football. Beroe finds themselves only marginally better positioned with 19 points, having accumulated just three wins from 24 matches. The gap between Beroe in 15th and Septemvri Sofia in 14th (21 points) is narrow enough that multiple outcomes remain possible, but both clubs face an uphill battle to secure survival in the season's final stretch.

Standout Performer: Levski Sofia's Consistency

Levski Sofia's consistency throughout the campaign has been the season's defining narrative. Their 75% win rate stands as the competition's highest, and their ability to maintain attacking prowess while defending solidly has created a balanced, championship-winning formula. The club's return to dominance after years of Ludogorets' hegemony suggests a competitive rebalancing in Bulgarian football, with traditional powerhouses reasserting their influence. The combination of experienced leadership, tactical discipline, and attacking ambition has enabled Levski to overcome the challenge posed by Ludogorets' historical dominance.

Unexpected Storyline: CSKA 1948's Emergence as a Title Contender

Perhaps the season's most compelling subplot has been the rise of CSKA 1948, the club that only gained promotion to the First League in 2019. Their third-place finish with 46 points represents a remarkable achievement for a team that was competing in the second tier just six years ago. With 14 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses, CSKA 1948 has demonstrated that Bulgaria's football pyramid is becoming more competitive and less predictable. Their strong goal difference of +15 and respectable goal-scoring record (40 goals) suggests they possess the quality to challenge for titles in future seasons. This emergence threatens to further dilute the dominance of traditional heavyweights and signals a potential shift toward a more balanced competitive landscape in Bulgarian football.

The Legacy of Ludogorets: Dominance and Decline

The extraordinary 14-year dominance of Ludogorets Razgrad from 2012 to 2024 fundamentally transformed Bulgarian football. The club's investment in infrastructure, player development, and European competition created a template for success that no other Bulgarian club could match. Their consistent participation in the UEFA Champions League group stage elevated Bulgaria's coefficient ranking and provided a pathway for Bulgarian players to develop on the European stage. However, the 2024/25 season demonstrates that sustained dominance in any football league is inherently vulnerable to shifts in investment, management, or competitive focus. Ludogorets' second-place finish, while respectable, marks the end of an era and potentially signals the beginning of a more competitive period in Bulgarian football.

European Competition: Bulgaria's Champions League Pathway

The Bulgarian First League champion's direct entry into the UEFA Champions League group stage represents one of the most significant commercial and sporting achievements available to the nation's clubs. This pathway, secured through consistent performance in European competition, has enabled both Ludogorets and Levski to compete regularly against Europe's elite clubs. The 2024/25 season will see Levski Sofia competing in the Champions League, providing them with significant revenue and prestige. The availability of four European spots (Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League) ensures that Bulgaria's top clubs remain integrated into the continental football calendar, providing essential development opportunities for domestic talent and enhancing the league's global profile.

The Evolution of Bulgarian Football: From Regional Championship to Continental Competitor

Bulgarian football's evolution from the 1924 inaugural championship to the modern First Professional Football League reflects the nation's broader sporting and economic development. The transition from knockout tournaments to league formats in 1948 standardized competition and created a sustainable framework for domestic football. The league's stabilization at 16 teams represents a balance between competitive depth and economic viability. The rise of Ludogorets and the subsequent emergence of challengers like CSKA 1948 demonstrate that Bulgarian football remains dynamic and capable of producing competitive surprises. The championship's consistent provision of Champions League football to the winner ensures continued integration with European football's elite structures, maintaining Bulgaria's presence on the continental stage despite the nation's smaller population and economic base compared to major footballing nations.