TIRANA, Aug 21 /ATA/ – Albania’s 88th top-flight football season, the “Abissnet Superiore”, kicked off on Friday evening with Vllaznia hosting Skenderbeu at Loro Borici Stadium in northern city of Shkodra.
The 2026-27 season introduces changes to the competition format, with the aim of maintaining a higher level of competition through to the final rounds.
The championship will be played over three regular phases before teams are divided into play-off and play-out groups, increasing competition for the title, European places and survival.
Ahead of the start, Albanian Football Association (FSHF) president Armand Duka wished success to the clubs, players, coaches, referees and fans, highlighting the development of young talent and greater professionalism in Albanian football.
Duka said one of the Association’s main priorities was giving more opportunities to young Albanian players. A new rule requiring clubs to field a player born in 2007 or later who holds an Albanian passport is intended to help young talents gain experience at the highest domestic level.
“Investing in young players is the most important investment in the future of Albanian football,” Duka said.
He also highlighted the recent performances of Albanian clubs in European competitions. Egnatia have secured a place in the UEFA Conference League phase and remain in contention for a place in the UEFA Europa League phase, while Dinamo City are in the Conference League play-offs.
Duka said the results reflected the growing experience and competitiveness of Albanian clubs and should encourage further investment in academies, infrastructure and professional standards.
“Albanian football is growing, and we must all build that growth together,” he said, wishing for an exciting season marked by fair competition and fair play.
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