This article discusses the structure of football leagues in the Czech Republic. These leagues are organised by The Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR) (). Football is the most popular sport in the Czech Republic. Approximately half of the Czech people are interested in football.

History Bohemia was an early adopter of football. In the Czech Republic, football originated in Bohemia between 1890 and 1900, mainly played by Germans (the country was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire). The best German club was called Regatta Prag. The first known football match in the Czech Republic occurred on the islet located in the Labe River in Roudnice nad Labem in 1887. In 1896 the first derby between SK Slavia Prague and AC Sparta Prague was disputed with the result of 0–1. In 1896, the first Czech championship, won by CFK Kickers Prague (spring) and Deutscher FC Prag (autumn) was disputed. In 1897 the Czech Crown championship was won, won by Slavia and in 1902 the Czech Football Association championship won by the Cesky AFC Vinohrady. Czechoslovak First League was the premier football league in the Czechoslovakia from 1925 to 1993.

In 1901 the Czech Football Federation was created. Between 1903 and 1908, the selection of soccer of Bohemia disputed seven international parties. Subsequently, between 1922 and 1993, the selection and federation of the Czech Republic became the respective ones of Czechoslovakia. As of this last year, the organizations of the Czech Republic revived, again as an independent state.

League system The highest level is also known as 1st league () – officially Fortuna: liga. The winner and team finishing second are promoted from the 2nd Division.

The 2. liga (Second Division) is at the second tier of the football pyramid. The winners of the ČFL and MSFL are promoted to this division, making two clubs in total. Sometimes when two clubs are relegated to the same 3rd division (for example to MSFL), the MSFL relegates three clubs instead of the usual two (example: we have got two downward clubs from 2nd league – from Moravia – to MSFL. From MSFL one club will be promoted and three clubs will be relegated to Moravia-Silesia Divisions (D and E) for the next season. Normally two teams are relegated from the MSFL and three from the ČFL).

Winners of the Czech Fourth Division Bohemian groups (A, B, C) are promoted to the ČFL, whilst in Moravia-Silesia groups (D,E) the teams are promoted to the MSFL.

Winners of Regional Championships are promoted to the Fourth Division (example: winner of the Prague Championship is promoted to Division A).

LevelLeague(s)/Division(s)1Czech First League16 clubs2Czech Second Division16 clubs3ČFL (Bohemian Football League)18 clubsMSFL (Moravian–Silesian Football League)16 clubs4Czech Division A16 clubsCzech Division B16 clubsCzech Division C16 clubsMoravia-Silesia Division D16 clubsMoravia-Silesia Division E16 clubs5Prague Championship16 clubsPřebor Středočeského kraje16 clubsPřebor Jihočeského kraje16 clubsPřebor Plzeňského kraje16 clubsPřebor Karlovarského kraje18 clubsPřebor Ústeckého kraje16 clubsPřebor Libereckého kraje14 clubsPřebor Královéhradeckého kraje16 clubsPřebor Pardubického kraje16 clubsPřebor kraje Vysočina14 clubsPřebor Jihomoravského kraje16 clubsPřebor Zlínského kraje16 clubsPřebor Olomouckého kraje16 clubsPřebor Moravskoslezského kraje16 clubs6Level A2 - I.A třída7Level A3 - I.B třída8Level A4 - II. třída9Level A5 - III. třída

National team

Before the break-up of the country, Czech players represented Czechoslovakia, whose national team was for many years one of the leading teams in the world. Since the break-up of Czechoslovakia the Czech national team has had success in Euro 96 and Euro 2004. The selection of the Czech Republic national teams is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic.

The Czech team played their first official game on 23 February 1994 in Istanbul against Turkey, winning 4–1. The Czech Republic has managed to qualify for one FIFA World Cup and five European Championships. The greatest achievement of the Czech team was reaching the final of Euro 96 in England, eliminating Portugal and France to reach the final against Germany. On 30 June 1996 at Wembley Stadium, the Czech team lost the final 2–1 to Germany after taking the lead with a goal from Patrik Berger, before losing to an extra-time golden goal scored by Oliver Bierhoff. The following year they participated in the FIFA Confederations Cup held in Saudi Arabia, being eliminated in the semifinals after a 2–0 defeat to Brazil.

At the time when the country was part of Czechoslovakia, the national team achieved victory in the 1976 European Championship against Germany in a penalty shoot-out, thanks to the famous penalty of Antonin Panenka. The Czechoslovak team qualified for the World Cup on eight occasions, finishing runners-up in both 1934 and 1962, as well as appearing in three other European Championships.

Women's football

Women's football is well organised in the Czech Republic. The women's team debuted on 21 July 1993, against Slovakia, in a match won by the Czechs 6–0. The women's team of the Czech Republic has not yet participated in a final phase of the World Cup or European Championship.

Prague Prague has six professional football teams and a total of 14 in the top four divisions of national competition.

Below the fourth tier, the Prague Football Association organises the fifth-tier Prague Championship, which is contested by 16 teams, all of which are based in Prague.

Stadia and locations

Clubs The table below lists all Prague clubs excluding "B" teams in the top four tiers of the Czech football league system: from the top division (the Czech First League), down to the Czech Fourth Division. League status is correct for the 2022–23 season.

Club Stadium Capacity Founded NotesCzech First League (1)Bohemians 1905Ďolíček7,5001905Slavia PragueEden Arena20,8001892Sparta PragueGenerali Arena19,4161893Czech 2. Liga (2)Dukla PragueStadion Juliska8,1501959Bohemian Football League (3)Viktoria ŽižkovFK Viktoria Stadion5,0371903Admira PragueStadion v Kobylisích4,0001907Loko VltavínStadion na Plynárně1,5001898Motorlet PragueStadion Motorlet5,0001912Divize A (4)Aritma PragueAreál SK Aritma2,0001908Meteor PragueAreál Libeň3,5001896Újezd Prague 4Hřiště SK Újezd01937

Administration Prague is the location of the headquarters of the Football Association of the Czech Republic, in Diskařská street.

Attendances

The average attendance per top-flight football league season and the club with the highest average attendance:

Season League average Best club Best club average 2024–25 6,177 Slavia Praha 18,306 2023–24 6,456 Slavia Praha 17,688 2022–23 5,528 Slavia Praha 14,729 2019–20 5,669 Slavia Praha 14,715 2018–19 5,539 Slavia Praha 13,511 2017–18 5,546 Slavia Praha 12,431 2016–17 4,887 Slavia Praha 11,625 2015–16 5,080 Viktoria Plzeň 10,620 2014–15 4,739 Viktoria Plzeň 10,867 2013–14 5,064 Sparta Praha 11,340 2012–13 4,798 Viktoria Plzeň 10,047 2011–12 4,715 Sparta Praha 10,322 2010–11 4,492 Sparta Praha 8,665 2009–10 4,895 Sparta Praha 10,766 2008–09 4,668 Slavia Praha 11,971 2007–08 5,147 Baník Ostrava 11,022 2006–07 4,874 Sparta Praha 11,848 2005–06 4,091 Sparta Praha 7,211 2004–05 3,860 Baník Ostrava 8,028 2003–04 4,830 Baník Ostrava 15,376 2002–03 3,892 Sparta Praha 6,214 2001–02 4,740 Baník Ostrava 8,007 2000–01 4,550 Sigma Olomouc 7,718 1999–2000 5,953 Opava 11,234 1998–99 6,042 Zbrojovka Brno 13,207 1997–98 6,156 Zbrojovka Brno 15,365 1996–97 7,145 Zbrojovka Brno 21,659 1995–96 5,130 Zbrojovka Brno 12,283 1994–95 5,750 Zbrojovka Brno 20,523 1993–94 4,654 Zbrojovka Brno 9,501

Source:

See also Czech Republic football league system List of football stadiums in the Czech Republic

References

External links League321.com – Czech Republic football league tables, records & statistics database. Czech Republic football league latest scores, schedules (flashscore)

tr:Çek futbolunda lig sistemi