Russian First League

Russian First League
Founded1992; 32 years ago (1992)
CountryRussia
ConfederationUEFA
Number of teams18
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toPremier League
Relegation toSecond League
Domestic cup(s)Russian Cup
Current championsRubin Kazan (2nd title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsChernomorets
Tyumen
Luch-Energiya
Shinnik
Anzhi
Mordovia
Orenburg
Krylia Sovetov (2 titles)
Websitewww.1fnl.ru
Current: 2024–25 Russian First League

The Russian First League (Russian: Первая лига, Pervaya liga), formerly called Russian First Division (Russian: Первый дивизион) and Russian Football National League (FNL) (Russian: Первенство Футбольной Национальной Лиги, Pervenstvo Futbol'noy Natsional'noy Ligi) is the second level of the Russian football league system.

The Russian Professional Football League (PFL) used to run the division. Since 2011, it has been managed by the Football National League.

The league consists of 18 clubs. After each season the two top clubs are promoted to the Premier League, and the bottom three clubs are relegated to the Second League. Third and fourth team play in home-and-away promotion play-offs against the 13th and 14th Premier League teams. Should one or more clubs not possess the required licence to participate for the upcoming season, the teams previously relegated are kept in the league instead, in the order of last season's standings.