Winter Champions of UPL: How Shakhtar and Dynamo Lost Their Monopoly on First Place

Winter Championship in the Ukrainian Premier League

According to Українська Прем'єр-Ліга: The winter championship in the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) has undergone significant changes, as traditionally dominant teams 'Shakhtar' and 'Dynamo' have lost their positions. In the 2022/23 season, 'Dnipro-1' became the winter champion, and in the 2023/24 season, 'Kryvbas' received this award. Additionally, 'LNZ' celebrated the winter championship in the 2025/26 season.

A New Evolution of Ukrainian Football

These changes highlight new trends in the UPL, as only once in the last five years has a team winning the first half become the champion. This indicates a rise in competition in Ukrainian football and a change in the power dynamics in the league.

Changes in the struggle for the winter championship indicate an evolution of Ukrainian football, where new teams are beginning to demonstrate competitiveness against traditional leaders. This may impact future transfers and club strategies, as the success of 'Dnipro-1', 'Kryvbas', and 'LNZ' may encourage other league participants to reconsider their approaches to squad formation and match preparation. In conditions of intensified competition, clubs will need to adapt to maintain their positions in the league.