About First Division
First Division History, Format, Organization, Media Coverage
The Cypriot First Division is the top football league in Cyprus and is operated by the Cypriot Football Association. This championship started its activity in 1934 but ran into a few problems during its early years. The Cypriot top-flight stopped its activity from 1941 to 1944 due to World War II, while its clubs decided not to play the 1958-59 season. The 1963-64 season was abandoned by all teams.
Twelve clubs battle for the title every year, and even though the format has had some minor adjustments, it’s not that complicated. A quick note: the league boasts a promotion/relegation system. The twelve contestants play 22 regular-season games for the first round, following a double round-robin format.
In the second round, the top six teams enter a championship playoff where each club plays an extra 10 matches. The side with the most points earns the title. The six remaining clubs enter a relegation playoff where the last two teams drop down to the Cypriot Second Division.
There are four spots available to play in European competitions: one for the preliminary stages of the UEFA Champions League (which goes to the champion), and three more to the first three runners-up of the championship round.
The teams that finish in second and third enter the UEFA Europa League, unlike the champion who goes into the UCL. As for the fourth-placed club, they can only enter the UEL if the domestic cup is won by a team that has already secured a European ticket via the league.
