Chornomorets Secures Premier League Return with Final-Round Victory in First League

Chornomorets' Comeback to the Premier League

According to Главком: Odessa's Chornomorets football club has clinched a spot in the Ukrainian Premier League after a 1-0 win against Kharkiv's Metalist in the final match of the First League's 30th round. Led by coach Roman Hryhorchuk, the team accumulated 65 points this season, edging out Livyi Bereh in the standings.

Bukovyna also earned promotion, finishing at the top of the table with 78 points. Livyi Bereh and Ahrobiznes secured third and fourth places with 63 and 53 points, respectively, earning them a chance to compete in promotion playoffs. The playoff matches for a spot in the Premier League next season will feature:

• Kudrivka vs. Ahrobiznes
• Oleksandriya vs. Livyi Bereh

The first legs are scheduled for June 5, with return matches on June 9.

First League Landscape

Meanwhile, three clubs are exiting the First League: Poltava's Vorskla, Khmelnytskyi's Podillya, and Zaporizhzhia's Metalurh. Vorskla failed to secure certification for the new season due to substantial debts that began accumulating in 2021. In an official statement, the club explained:

“Unfortunately, due to the significant volume of debt obligations that arose and accumulated starting from 2021, our club could not meet the financial criteria and obtain a certificate to participate in football competitions.”

Promoted from the Second League are Kulykiv-Bilka and Lokomotyv Kyiv. Official decisions regarding Kolos-2 and Polissia-2 are still pending. The 2025/26 season of Ukrainian football has concluded, and with new teams joining the league, players and fans alike eagerly anticipate the upcoming competitions.

Chornomorets' return to the Premier League marks a significant milestone for the club and its supporters, given the team's storied history in Ukrainian football. The simultaneous promotion of Bukovyna and the playoff opportunities for Livyi Bereh and Ahrobiznes add intrigue to the next season. At the same time, the departure of Vorskla and other clubs from the First League highlights the challenging financial landscape in Ukrainian football, which could impact the league's overall stability.

As Chornomorets celebrates its return to the Premier League, the excitement surrounding the upcoming promotion playoffs intensifies. Fans of Ukrainian football are keen to see how teams like Kudrivka and LNZ will fare in their crucial matches. For a closer look at Kudrivka's dramatic victory that has set the stage for these playoffs, click here.