The 2018–19 Kategoria e Parë was the 71st official season of the Albanian football second division since its establishment. The season began on 9 September 2018 and ended on 25 May 2019. 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 2019–20 Kategoria Superiore, and played the division's final against each other. Bylis and Vllaznia were promoted to the 2019–20 Kategoria Superiore. Tomori and Vora were relegated to the 2019−20 Kategoria e Dytë. Bylis won their fourth Kategoria e Parë title on 23 May 2019 after beating Vllaznia in the final match.
Changes from last season Team changes From Kategoria e Parë Promoted to Kategoria Superiore: Kastrioti Tirana
Relegated to Kategoria e Dytë: Naftëtari Shkumbini Tërbuni Vllaznia B
To Kategoria e Parë Relegated from Kategoria Superiore: Lushnja Vllaznia
Promoted from Kategoria e Dytë: Elbasani Oriku Veleçiku Vora
Locations
Stadia by capacity and locations Group A Team Location Stadium Capacity Besëlidhja Lezhë Brian Filipi Stadium 5,000 Dinamo Tirana Tirana Internacional Complex 1,000 Burreli Burrel Liri Ballabani Stadium 2,500 Erzeni Shijak Tofik Jashari Stadium 4,000 Iliria Fushë-Krujë Redi Maloku Stadium 3,000 Korabi Peshkopi Korabi Stadium 6,000 Shënkolli Shënkoll Shënkoll Stadium Veleçiku Koplik Kompleksi Vellezërit Duli 2,000 Vllaznia Shkodër Loro Boriçi Stadium 16,000 Vora Vorë Fusha Sportive Vorë 1,000
Group B Team Location Stadium Capacity Apolonia Fier Loni Papuçiu Stadium 6,800 Besa Kavajë Besa Stadium 8,000 Bylis Ballsh Adush Muça Stadium 5,200 Egnatia Rrogozhinë Egnatia Stadium 4,000 Elbasani Elbasan Elbasan Arena 12,800 Lushnja Lushnjë Abdurrahman Roza Haxhiu Stadium 8,500 Oriku Orikum Petro Ruci Stadium 2,000 Pogradeci Pogradec Gjorgji Kyçyku Stadium 10,700 Tomori Berat Tomori Stadium 14,750 Turbina Cërrik Nexhip Trungu Stadium 6,600
First phase
Group A
Group B
Second phase Promotion round Group A
Group B
Relegation round Group A
Group B
Final
Relegation play-offs
Extra play−off match
An extra play−off match was played between the losers of the regular play−offs to replace the vacant spot left by Kamza, who was relegated from the Kategoria Superiore to the Kategoria e Dytë by federation decision.
References