Teams
Dinamo Brest
Torpedo Zhodino
BATE Borisov
Shakhter Soligorsk
FC Minsk
Dinamo Minsk
Neman Grodno
FC Slutsk
Isloch
FK Gomel
FC Vitebsk
Slavia Mozyr
Belshina Bobruisk
Naftan Novopolotsk
Dnepr Mogilev
FK Gorodeya
Energetik-BGU Minsk
FC Smorgon
FK Krumkachy Minsk
FK Arsenal Dzyarzhynsk
Smolevichi
FC Rukh Brest
FC Granit Mikashevichi
Torpedo Minsk
FK Luch Minsk
FK Dnyapro
FK Sputnik
Wikipedia - Belarusian Premier League
The Belarusian Premier League, also called The Belarusbank Premier League for sponsorship reasons, or the Vyšejšaja Liha or the Vysheyshaya Liga,(Belarusian: Вышэйшая ліга, Russian: Высшая лига, "Top League") is the top division of professional football in Belarus, and is organized by the Belarusian Football Federation. The number of teams in the competition has varied over the years from as high as 17 (1992–93 season) to as low as 11 (2012). As of 2016, the league included 16 teams. Each team plays every other team twice during the course of the season. At the end of the season, the two teams with the fewest points are automatically relegated to the Belarusian First League, while the third worst team plays a promotion-relegation playoff against the third best team from the second tier. The top two teams from the Belarusian First League automatically win promotion to the Premier League. Shakhtyor Soligorsk are the current champions, after winning their second championship title in 2021.
History
The Belarusian Premier League was organized in 1992. The first participants were: Dinamo Minsk, the only Belarusian side in the former Soviet Top League, five teams from the lower tiers of the Soviet league system and represented other five regional centers of Belarus, and ten teams who were previous competitors in the Belarusian SSR First League.
After the league creation, it was decided to change its schedule from a Soviet-style summer season to a European-style winter season. In 1995, the winter season experiment was proven unsuccessful due to poor weather and field conditions in Belarus in the late autumn and early spring. The season was changed back to summer. Every season since 1996 has been played in the summer. Throughout the 2000s, the number of competing teams has changed several times. 2012 season was played with only 11 teams due to last minute withdrawal of Partizan Minsk.
In its earliest years, the league was dominated by Dinamo Minsk, who won the league five times in a row between 1992 and 1995. During the next ten seasons, seven different teams finished as champions: Slavia Mozyr (1996 as MPKC Mozyr, 2000), Dinamo Minsk (1997, 2004), Dnepr-Transmash Mogilev (1998), BATE Borisov (1999, 2002), Belshina Bobruisk (2001), Gomel (2003), Shakhtyor Soligorsk (2005). Since 2006, BATE Borisov has dominated the league, winning 13 championships in a row (2006–2018).
In March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all the other football leagues in Europe were postponed, and by the end of the month, the Belarusian Premier League was the only top-flight league in the continent that was still playing. Due to this, the league gained substantially increased viewership from abroad, with fans from all over the world watching the games online, due to the league being the only significant professional football available; the league signed new television rights deals with networks from countries including Russia and India. Matches were also streamed on the Belarusian Football Federation's YouTube channel. British betting companies also offered odds for the various matches,[] as the league's profile, previously relatively unknown outside of the country, grew a larger audience due to sporting inactivity elsewhere.
The tournament follows a round-robin format, where each team plays against every other team twice, once at home and once away. The matches are held in various stadiums across Belarus, creating an electrifying atmosphere for both players and fans alike.
The Belarus Premier League showcases the finest football talent in the country, with teams comprising a mix of experienced veterans and promising young players. The league has produced several notable players who have gone on to represent the national team and achieve success in international competitions.
The tournament is known for its fast-paced and skillful style of play, with teams employing various tactical approaches to outwit their opponents. The matches are often filled with thrilling moments, intense rivalries, and dramatic comebacks, making it a captivating spectacle for spectators.
The Belarus Premier League also serves as a platform for clubs to qualify for prestigious European competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. This adds an extra layer of excitement and motivation for teams to perform at their best throughout the season.
The league has a dedicated fan base, with supporters passionately cheering for their favorite teams and creating an electric atmosphere in the stadiums. The Belarus Premier League has a strong following both domestically and internationally, attracting viewers from around the world who appreciate the high-quality football on display.
Overall, the Belarus Premier League is a thrilling and competitive soccer tournament that showcases the best of Belarusian football. With its rich history, talented players, and passionate fan base, it continues to be a significant event in the country's sporting calendar.