Bulgarian Championship. V PFG
The Second Professional Football Group (V PFG) stands as Bulgaria's premier second-tier competition, pitting ambitious clubs against each other in a fierce battle for promotion to the elite Parva Liga and survival in the professional ranks. It serves as a vital breeding ground for emerging talents who often catch the eye of scouts from across Europe.
History and foundation
Founded in 1948 as the southern group of the Second League, V PFG took its modern shape in 2003 amid Bulgaria's football restructuring. Renamed Second League in 2016 before reverting to V PFG in 2022, it has witnessed dramatic tales: Kirin Despodov launched his career here before conquering Parva Liga and Europe. Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa famously bounced back from relegation in 2021, showcasing the league's resilience.
Tournament format
Running from July to May, the season features 16 teams in a double round-robin format—home and away twice, totaling 30 matches. The champion earns direct promotion to Parva Liga; the runner-up enters playoffs against the 13th-14th from the top flight. The bottom three drop to the Third League, with the fourth-from-bottom facing relegation playoffs. This setup ensures edge-of-your-seat drama until the final whistle.
Interesting facts
Average match goals hover between 2.4 and 2.7, with defenses often prevailing amid occasional attacking fireworks. Top scorers include Antonin Atanasov (25 goals in 2018/19) and Sokolay Mehmed (22 in 2020/21). Standouts like Georgi Gandev of Etar, known for thunderous long-range strikes, and Ivan Lazаров, Spartak Varna's creative midfielder, have lit up the league. Prospects like Martin Tsекov from Versia are drawing European interest, proving V PFG forges top talent.