TIRANA, Aug. 19 /ATA/ – Albania’s 2026-27 Superior Category football season will kick off on Friday with Vllaznia hosting Skenderbeu at 9 p.m. at Loro Borici Stadium in the northern city of Shkodra, the Albanian Football Association (FSHF) said on Wednesday.
FSHF Competition Director Marjus Sulejmani said the new season of the highest division of Albanian football would feature a revised format designed to make the title race more competitive and dynamic.
After the first three regular phases, the 10 teams will split into a six-team play-off group competing for the title and a four-team play-out group, Sulejmani said.
The league’s traditional opening ceremony will be held on Sunday at defending champions Egnatia, during their match against Tirana.
The new season will also introduce changes concerning the use of young Albanian players. Top-flight teams must start matches with at least one player born in 2007 or later who holds an Albanian passport and must give him playing time. In the lower divisions, players born in 2007 or later must be used throughout the match, Sulejmani said.
He said the new structure should produce a more dynamic competition and called for strong fan support, entertainment and fair play both on the pitch and in the stands.
Sulejmani also highlighted Albania’s European campaign, noting that Egnatia have already secured a place in the UEFA Conference League league phase but remain in contention for the Europa League, while Dinamo City will face Cyprus’ Pafos in the Conference League play-offs.
“We hope both Egnatia and Dinamo City qualify,” Sulejmani said.
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