Cyprus - First Division

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The Cypriot First Division is the top football league in Cyprus and is operated by the Cypriot Football Association. This championship started its activity in 1934 but ran into a few problems during its early years. The Cypriot top-flight stopped its activity from 1941 to 1944 due to World War II, while its clubs decided not to play the 1958-59 season. The 1963-64 season was abandoned by all teams.

Twelve clubs battle for the title every year, and even though the format has had some minor adjustments, it’s not that complicated. A quick note: the league boasts a promotion/relegation system. The twelve contestants play 22 regular-season games for the first round, following a double round-robin format.

In the second round, the top six teams enter a championship playoff where each club plays an extra 10 matches. The side with the most points earns the title. The six remaining clubs enter a relegation playoff where the last two teams drop down to the Cypriot Second Division.

There are four spots available to play in European competitions: one for the preliminary stages of the UEFA Champions League (which goes to the champion), and three more to the first three runners-up of the championship round.

The teams that finish in second and third enter the UEFA Europa League, unlike the champion who goes into the UCL. As for the fourth-placed club, they can only enter the UEL if the domestic cup is won by a team that has already secured a European ticket via the league.