Russian Premier League

The Russian Premier League is the top professional football (soccer) competition in Russia, featuring the country’s best teams competing annually. Established in 2001, it consists of 16 clubs that play home and away matches throughout the season. The league determines national champion, relegates the lowest-ranked teams to a lower division, and promotes the top teams from that division. It operates under the jurisdiction of the Russian Football Union and is one of Europe's recognized leagues, attracting top Russian and international players. The league's success influences Russian football's national team performance and the country's presence in European tournaments.