First League promotion race

Who’s Playing—and Why These Matchups Matter

The playoff format pits two teams from the current UPL against two from the First League, with the winners earning promotion to the top division for 2026/27. The pairings are clear: FC Kudrivka (13th in UPL) will face off against FC Ahrbiznes Volochysk (4th in First League), while FC Oleksandriya (15th in UPL) takes on FC Livyi Bereh (3rd in First League). According to Champion.com.ua, these matchups were finalized after the First League season concluded, with Livyi Bereh securing the third spot and Ahrbiznes Volochysk the fourth.

The stakes are high for all four teams. For Kudrivka and Oleksandriya, the playoff is a last-chance opportunity to avoid relegation. For Livyi Bereh and Ahrbiznes Volochysk, it’s a shot at their first taste of UPL football. The twist? FC RuKh Lviv, originally slated to play Oleksandriya, pulled out, leaving the field open for Livyi Bereh to step in. This change, noted by ТСН, adds an extra layer of unpredictability to the series.

The Road to These Matchups: How the Season Decided the Fate of Four Teams

The playoff participants were determined by the end-of-season standings in both leagues. In the UPL, the bottom two teams—Kudrivka and Oleksandriya—automatically qualified for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the top two teams in the First League, FC Bukovyna Chernivtsi and FC Chornomorets Odesa, secured direct promotion, leaving the third and fourth spots to decide the remaining playoff spots. As Футбол 24 reported, Chornomorets Odesa’s late-season victory over FC Metalist Kharkiv cemented their second-place finish, while Livyi Bereh’s third-place finish secured their playoff spot.

The absence of FC Vorskla Poltava from the playoffs adds another wrinkle. The club lost its professional status and failed to obtain the necessary license for the 2026/27 season, leaving a vacancy in the UPL that will be filled by the playoff winners. This development, highlighted by Champion.com.ua, means the playoff series is not just about promotion but also about survival for the UPL teams involved.

What’s at Stake: Promotion, Survival, and the Future of Ukrainian Football

For Livyi Bereh and Ahrbiznes Volochysk, the playoff is a chance to prove they belong in the UPL. Both teams have shown flashes of quality in the First League, but the step up to the top division is significant. Livyi Bereh, in particular, will be looking to build on their strong finish, while Ahrbiznes Volochysk will hope to capitalize on their consistent season. Meanwhile, Kudrivka and Oleksandriya face the pressure of avoiding relegation, with Oleksandriya’s position further complicated by the absence of RuKh Lviv.

The playoff series also reflects the broader challenges facing Ukrainian football. With clubs like Vorskla Poltava losing their professional status, the financial and administrative stability of the league is under scrutiny. The playoff winners will not only earn promotion but also a chance to stabilize their futures in the top flight, while the losers will have to regroup for another season in the First League.

What Happens Next: The Playoff Schedule and Beyond

The first legs of the playoff series are scheduled for June 5, with the return matches taking place on June 9. The winners of these two-match series will be promoted to the UPL for the 2026/27 season, replacing Vorskla Poltava and RuKh Lviv. The schedule, confirmed by ТСН, means fans will have just over a week to witness the drama unfold.

Beyond the immediate results, the playoff series will have lasting implications for Ukrainian football. The promotion of two new teams will inject fresh competition into the UPL, while the relegation of two current members could signal a shift in the league’s dynamics. For the teams involved, the next two weeks will be a defining moment—one that could shape their futures for years to come.

As the matches approach, all eyes will be on how these teams perform under pressure. The playoff series is not just about promotion; it’s about proving that you belong at the highest level of Ukrainian football.