Bulgarian Championship. A PFG
A PFG (Parva Profesionalna Futbolna Grupa) is Bulgaria's top-tier football league, featuring 16 teams in a fierce contest for domestic supremacy. It captures the fervor of Bulgarian fans, blending historic rivalries with the ambitions of clubs from Sofia, Plovdiv, and beyond.
History and foundation
Founded in 1924 as the National Football Division, the league has seen eras of dominance: Levski and CSKA in the 1930s-50s, followed by Bulgaria's 1960s European exploits. PFC Ludogorets revolutionized it since 2011 with 13 straight titles, ending Sofia giants' reign. Iconic: Ludogorets' 1-0 away win over Real Madrid in UCL 2014.
Tournament format
Season runs July to May; teams play a 30-match round-robin, then split into championship and relegation groups for 5 more games. Champion enters UEFA Champions League qualifiers, runner-up Europa League. Bottom teams drop to B PFG.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.4, emphasizing defensive solidity. Top scorers: Dimitar Berbatov (152 for CSKA/Ludogorets), Iliya Saev (147). Standouts: Kiril Despodov (Ludogorets, national team), Stanislav Ivanov (Levski); legends like Hristo Stoichkov, who launched from CSKA. League nurtures exports to Europe's elite.