Russian Premier League: All You Need to Know

Overview

The Russian Premier League (RPL), also known as the Russian Premier Liga, is the top level of professional football in Russia. It was established in 2001 and is contested by 16 clubs. The league is organized by the Russian Football Union (RFU).

History

The RPL is the successor to the Soviet Top League, which was the top level of football in the Soviet Union from 1936 to 1991. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian Premier League was founded in 2001.

Format

The RPL consists of 16 clubs that play each other twice, home and away, over the course of a season. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned champion. The bottom two teams are relegated to the second tier, the Russian Football National League.

Champions

Since its inception, Zenit Saint Petersburg has been the most successful club in the RPL, winning the title eight times. CSKA Moscow has won six titles, Spartak Moscow has won five titles, and Lokomotiv Moscow has won three titles.

Conclusion

The Russian Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues in Europe and is home to some of the best players in the world. The league has produced world-class talents such as Fedor Smolov, Aleksandr Golovin, and Denis Cheryshev.