List of football clubs in Albania

This all-time list features professional football clubs that have competed in Albania's four divisions, arranged in alphabetical order.^[1] Included are clubs from the women's league^[2] and clubs that have been disbanded.

As of 4 June 2024

As of 4 June 2024

During communist rule, due to the political and strategic alliances of the Albanian State, teams frequently changed names, so much so that today's football fans cannot distinguish them or remember them vaguely. Many of these teams were named after significant political events of the Party of Labour or from the wartime period, when their home cities were liberated. Most of the denominations no longer exist, while a few still remain. Only Partizani has kept its original name, whereas Dinamo briefly changed it to "Olimpik", between the 1995-97 seasons.^[3]

Political names
Several teams were named after notable political events or liberation dates: “17 Nëntori” of Tirana, “5 Shtatori” of Çorovodë (Skrapar), “31 Korriku” of Burrel, “24 Maj” of Përmet, “21 Shkurti” of Selenicë, “Labinoti” of Elbasan, “8 Nëntori” of Shijak, “10 Korriku” of Gramsh, “22 Tetori” of Poliçan, and “18 Shkurti” of Bulqizë.

Soviet influence
The naming of some teams followed the Soviet model: “Dinamo” of Tirana, “Traktori” of Lushnje, “Lokomotiva” of Durrës, “Ylli i Kuq” of Pogradec, “Industriali” of Laç, “Kombinati Stalin” of the Stalin Textile Factory, “Minatori” of Tepelenë, “Punëtori” of Patos, “Vullneti” of Rrogozhinë. Many of these names are no longer in use, with a few exceptions such as “Turbina” of Cërrik.

Mountains and rivers
Teams were also named after local geographical features. For instance: “Tomori” of Berat, “Melesini” of Leskovik, “Korabi” of Peshkopi, “Trebeshina” of Këlcyrë, “Sopoti” of Librazhd, “Veleçiku” of Koplik, and “Dajti” of Kamza were named after mountains. Similarly, a few teams were named after rivers and green pastures, such as “Shkumbini” of Peqin, “Erzeni” of Shijak, “Devolli” of Bilisht, “Bistrica” of Delvinë, “Valbona” of Bajram Curri, and “Domosdova” of Prrenjas.

Folk heros and the Antiquity
Historical figures and connotations alike influenced team names, such as: “Besa” of Kavajë, “Luftëtari” of Gjirokastër, “Flamurtari” and “Ismail Qemali” of Vlorë, “Skënderbeu” and “Liria” of Korçë, “Partizani” of Tirana, “Besëlidhja” of Lezhë, “Ylli” of Shkodër and “Dragoi” of Pogradec. Additionally, name sites of antiquity were used: “Apollonia” of Fier, “Butrinti” of Sarandë and “Bylis” of Ballsh.

• RSSSF (Albania)
• SoccerWay

• Albanian Football Federation
• List of football clubs in Kosovo