The 2017–18 Kategoria e Parë was the 70th official season of the Albanian football second division since its establishment. The season began on 16 September 2017 and ended on 16 May 2018. There were 20 teams competing this season, split in 2 groups, each with 10 teams. The top 5 teams from each group qualified to the promotion round, while the last teams qualified to the relegation round. The 2 winners of the qualification round gained promotion to the 2018–19 Kategoria Superiore, and played the division's final against each other. Kastrioti and Tirana were promoted to the 2018–19 Kategoria Superiore. Naftëtari, Shkumbini, Tërbuni, Vllaznia B were relegated to the 2018−19 Kategoria e Dytë. Tirana won their first Kategoria e Parë title on 16 May 2018 after beating Kastrioti in the final match.
Changes from last season Team changes From Kategoria e Parë Promoted to Kategoria Superiore: KF Lushnja FC Kamza
Relegated to Kategoria e Dytë: Adriatiku KF Elbasani Sopoti
To Kategoria e Parë Relegated from Kategoria Superiore: KF Tirana Korabi
Promoted from Kategoria e Dytë: FK Egnatia Naftëtari Vllaznia B
Locations
Stadia by capacity and locations Group A Team Location Stadium Capacity Besa Kavajë Besa Stadium 8,000 Besëlidhja Lezhë Brian Filipi Stadium 5,000 Dinamo Tirana Tirana Selman Stërmasi Stadium 9,600 KS Burreli Burrel Liri Ballabani Stadium 2,500 KF Erzeni Shijak Tofik Jashari Stadium 4,000 Egnatia Rrogozhinë Egnatia Stadium 4,000 KF Korabi Peshkopi Korabi Stadium 6,000 Kastrioti Krujë Kastrioti Stadium 8,400 KF Tërbuni Pukë Ismail Xhemali Stadium 1,950 Vllaznia B Shkodër Reshit Rusi Stadium 1,200
Group B Team Location Stadium Capacity Apolonia Fier Loni Papuçiu Stadium 6,800 Bylis Ballsh Adush Muça Stadium 5,200 KS Iliria Fushë-Krujë Redi Maloku Stadium 3,000 FK Shënkolli Shënkoll Kastrioti Stadium 8,400 KS Pogradeci Pogradec Gjorgji Kyçyku Stadium 10,700 Shkumbini Peqin Shkumbini Stadium 5,000 Naftëtari Kuçovë Stadiumi Bashkim Sulejmani 5,000 KF Tirana Tirana Selman Stërmasi Stadium 9,500 Tomori Berat Tomori Stadium 14,750 Turbina Cërrik Nexhip Trungu Stadium 6,600
Source:
First phase
Group A
Group B
Second phase Promotion round Group A
Group B
Relegation round Group A
Group B
Final
Relegation play-offs
Season statistics
Scoring
Top scorers RankPlayerClubGoals1 Albi ÇekiçiPogradeci172 Ruben DanajShënkolli163 Bedri GrecaTirana14
References