Ukrainian Second League

Football league

Ukrainian Second League

Founded| 1992; 33 years ago (1992) (as Transitional League)
Country|  Ukraine
Number of clubs| 23 (2 groups)
Level on pyramid| 3
Promotion to| Ukrainian First League
Relegation to| None (2007–2016)[note 1]
Amateurs (1995–present)
Ukrainian Third League (1992–1994)
Domestic cup(s)| Ukrainian Cup
PFL Cup
Second League Cup (defunct)
League Cup (defunct)
Current champions| Probiy Horodenka
(2024–25)
Most championships| 3 titles
Desna Chernihiv
Top goalscorer| Oleksandr Kozhemyachenko (3 times) 2010–11, 2004–05, 2005–06
Website| pfl.ua
Current: 2025–26 Ukrainian Second League

The Ukrainian Second League (Ukrainian: Друга ліга, Druha Liha) is a professional football league in Ukraine which is part of the Professional Football League of Ukraine, a collective member of the Ukrainian Association of Football. As the third tier it was established in 1992 as the Transitional League and changed its name the next season.

The league is lower than the Ukrainian First League (Persha Liha) and the lowest level of professional football competitions in the country. Since 1996 the league, after being merged with its lower tier (in 1992–1995 there was the Third League), consists of two main regions roughly north-west and south-east. The league's relegated teams lose their professional status and return to their regional associations.

## Quick overview

[edit]

### First seasons

[edit]

The third division of the Ukrainian championship originally was organized as the Transitional League due to numerous amateur clubs competing in it 15 out of 18. Out of the 1992 Transitional League the top clubs qualified for the 1992-93 Second League, while the bottom - the 1992-93 Transitional League, thus, creating an extra tier. Basically in the first seasons there was no promotion.

For the second season (1992-93) the league was officially organized as the Second League, while the name of transitional league was passed to the newly formed fourth division. Between seasons 1993 and 1995, there existed an auxiliary level (the Third League in 1994-95) of the football championship in Ukraine, lower than the Second League. From 1993 season to 1995 the Second League had a single group competition of over 20 clubs. During the 1996 reorganization, the auxiliary league was merged back to the Second League.

### Creation of PFL

[edit]

In 1996 Ukrainian football witnessed major changes in its organization as the Professional Football League of Ukraine was established. The new organization took control of the competition of former non-amateur clubs that were given attestation of professional clubs and included all the leagues of the Ukrainian championship. Concurrently with this the Third League was disbanded and all clubs that were not in the "relegation zone" were invited to join the Second League. The Second League in its turn was split into two groups. Only in the very first season the teams in this league were divided somewhat randomly, while later becoming more of regional sub-leagues. From 1997 the league was divided into three groups (Druha Liha A (west), B (south), and C (east)).

### Further developments

[edit]

In 1998 unlike other seasons the winners of the groups were not promoted automatically; instead a promotion-relegation tournament was organized involving four teams, three group winners and one of the weaker clubs of the First League. In 2006, the Ukrainian Professional Football League consolidated the Druha Liha due to a shortage of teams, and now the third level of professional football is divided into two groups once again (A - West and B - East).

Throughout its history the Second League has had some supplementary tournaments which include the Second League Cup as well as the Ukrainian Cup qualification tournament called the 2009–10 Ukrainian League Cup.

In summer of 2017 it was announced that the Second League is planned to be discontinued after the 2017-18 season.[1][2]

### Team withdrawals / critical situation

[edit]

The league has suffered from chronic club withdrawals since its reorganization when the Ukrainian Third League was liquidated in 1995. The first club that withdrew in the middle of a season from Ukrainian championship was FC Elektron Romny which on 5 May 1994 withdrew from the Transitional League (Third League).

The reorganization of the competition in 1995 (merging Third and Second leagues) saw a number of clubs that discontinued their participation. At the start of season withdrew Temp Shepetivka which prior to that merged with Advis as well as Kosmos Pavlohrad, and five more clubs withdrew at winter break. Withdrawal of Temp led to a major disruption in competitions when Football Federation of Ukraine allowed to enter a quickly assembled team of amateur players for the First League to replace withdrawn Shepetivka club.

For a couple of years after that, there was relative stabilization, but not perfect with at least one club being withdrawn in a middle of ongoing season. In the 1998-99 season 10 teams quit the league before the season started. During the 2002-03 season Ukrainian football saw the withdrawal of a Top League club for the first time (Polihraftekhnika Oleksandriya). Due to those withdrawals the Second League suspended relegation of clubs since 2006-07, while there were some talks for the league to be discontinued.[3] An idea surfaced during the 2009-10 season to merge the league with the First League breaking the last into several groups, but it was abandoned. During the same season a new tournament was organized to add some games to the calendar of the Second League clubs which had thinned away substantially, this was called the 2009–10 Ukrainian League Cup.

## Current composition

[edit]

The following teams are competing in the 2025–26 season. Two teams were spared from relegation from the previous season due to other teams' withdrawal. Note, in parentheses, are shown the actual home cities and stadiums.

former Premier (Vyshcha) Liha clubs

recently relegated from First (Persha) Liha

recently promoted from AAFU

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Team  | Home city  | Stadium  | Capacity  | Position in
2024–25 | First season
in 2L  | Seasons
in 2L

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Atlet | Kyiv | Stadion DYuSSh Atlet  | 300  | AAFU  | 2025-26  | debut
Bukovyna-2 | Chernivtsi |  |  | N/A  | 2025-26  | debut
Chaika | Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, Kyiv Oblast  | Tsentralnyi stadion imeni Brukvenka, Makariv | 3,100  | 7th (Gr.B)  | 2018-19  | 7
Chornomorets-2 | Odesa | Complex Liustdorf  | 500  | returning  | 1992-93  | 9
Dinaz | Vyshhorod, Kyiv Oblast  | Stadion Dinaz | 550  | 1L  | 2019–20  | 3
Hirnyk-Sport | Horishni Plavni, Poltava Oblast  | Stadion Yunist | 2,500  | 5th (Gr.B)  | 1995-96  | 20
Kulykiv | Kulykiv, Lviv Oblast  | Arena Kulykiv | 700  | 4th (Gr.A)  | 2024-25  | 1
Kolos-2 | Kovalivka, Kyiv Oblast  | Stadion Yuvileinyi, Bucha | 1,028  | 1st (Gr.B)  | 2024-25  | 1
Lisne | Lisne, Kyiv Oblast  | Buzova Arena, Buzova | 253  | AAFU  | 2025-26  | debut
Livyi Bereh-2 | Kyiv | Stadion Livyi Bereh, Hnidyn | 1,372  | N/A  | 2025-26  | debut
Lokomotyv | Kyiv | Stadion imeni Bannikova | 1,678  | 3rd (Gr.B)  | 2023-24  | 2
Metalurh | Zaporizhia | Slavutych Arena | 11,883  | 1L  | 2018-19  | 4
Nyva | Vinnytsia | Tsentralnyi Miskyi Stadion | 24,000  | 9th (Gr.B)  | 2007–08  | 12
Oleksandriya-2 | Oleksandriya, Kirovohrad Oblast  | Stadion Olimp | 2,640  | 4th (Gr.B)  | 2024-25  | 1
Penuel | Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast  | Stadion Svitlo  | 500  | AAFU  | 2025-26  | debut
Polissya-2 | Zhytomyr | club's training field, Hlybochytsia  | 266  | 5th (Gr.A)  | 2024-25  | 1
Real Pharma | Odesa | Stadion Ivan | 1,200  | 10th (Gr.A)  | 2011–12  | 14
Rebel | Kyiv | Stadion Shkilnyi, Mykhailivka-Rubezhivka | 200  | AAFU  | 2025-26  | debut
Sambir-Nyva-2 | Ternopil | Stadion imeni Brovarskoho, Sambir | 1,918  | 8th (Gr.A)  | 2024-25  | 1
Skala 1911 | Stryi, Lviv Oblast  | Stadion Sokil | 1,789  | 3rd (Gr.A)  | 2023-24  | 2
Trostianets | Trostianets, Sumy Oblast  | Stadion imeni Kutsa | 1,129  | 6th (Gr.B)  | 2021–22  | 3
Uzhhorod | Uzhhorod | Stadion Avanhard | 12,000  | 6th (Gr.A)  | 2019–20  | 3
Vilkhivtsi | Vilkhivtsi, Zakarpattia Oblast  | Vilkhivtsi Arena  | 1,500  | 7th (Gr.A)  | 2024-25  | 1

### Location map and stadiums

[edit]

Bukovyna-2

Kulykiv-Bilka

Lisne

Nyva

Polissya-2

Sambir-Nyva-2

Skala 1911

Uzhhorod

Vilkhivtsi

Kyiv teams :
Atlet (Group A)
Lokomotyv (Group B)
Rebel (Group B)

Odesa teams :
Real Pharma (Group A)
Chornomorets-2 (Group B)

Kyiv

Odesa

Chaika

Dinaz

Hirnyk-Sport

Kolos-2

Livyi Bereh-2

Metalurh

Oleksandriya-2

Penuel

Trostianets

class=notpageimage|

Home venues of teams in the 2025–26 Ukrainian Second League
— Group A            — Group B

## Organization

[edit]

The calendar of competitions is adopted by the Central Council of PFL and the Executive Committee of FFU. The Bureau (Administration) of PFL regulates the league's operations and forms the Second League. All clubs of the PFL are obligated to own or sponsor a Children-Youth Sports School. All clubs of PFL are obligated to participate in the National Cup competition. A club of the Second League is also obligated to finance at least two junior teams from under the age of 10 to under the age of 19. The junior teams must participate either in regional competitions of the Children-Youth Football League of Ukraine.

All stadiums must have a certificate of the State Commission in control of sports structures conditions. A club cannot play matches at its training sites nor stadiums not registered with PFL. Promotions of tobacco products at stadiums are prohibited. All stadiums must fly the flags of Ukraine, FFU, and PFL. Only accredited photo-correspondents and junior footballers who collect balls are allowed behind goalposts.

The games are allowed to start not earlier than 12:00 and not later than 20:30. There must be at least a 48-hour break between two official games. Games can only be rescheduled if the following three criteria exist: a) unforeseen circumstances occur, b) delegation of four or more footballers to any national teams, or c) organization of direct tele-broadcasting.

Throughout history certain regions were represented only in certain groups, some competed in all groups. Among regions that were represented only in Group A are Lviv Oblast, Ternopil Oblast, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Rivne Oblast, Zhytomyr Oblast, Chernivtsi Oblast, Zakarpattia Oblast, Volyn Oblast, only in Group B is just Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Group C existed for short time and had no exclusive region representation.

Such regions like Kyiv Oblast and City, Cherkasy Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, Chernihiv Oblast, Sumy Oblast, and Kharkiv Oblast at some point were represented in all three groups.

Such regions like Donetsk Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Poltava Oblast were represented only in groups B and C.

## Top three by season

[edit]

Promoted teams are indicated in bold.

Season | Group | Teams | Winner | Runner-up | Third place

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1992 | A | 9  | Dnister Zalishchyky | Hazovyk Komarno | Yavir Krasnopillia
B | 9  | Bazhanovets Makiyivka | Tytan Armyansk | Meliorator Kakhovka
1992–93 | –  | 18  | Dnipro Cherkasy | Khimik Zhytomyr | Yavir Krasnopillia
1993–94[note 2] | –  | 22  | FC Boryspil | Bazhanovets Makiyivka | Zirka-NIBAS Kirovohrad
1994–95 | –  | 22  | Yavir Krasnopillia | FC Lviv | Dynamo Luhansk
1995–96 | A | 22  | CSKA Kyiv | Krystal Kherson | Khutrovyk Tysmenytsia
B | 21  | Metalurh Mariupol | Metalurh Donetsk | Metalurh Novomoskovsk
1996–97 | A | 16  | Desna Chernihiv | Fakel Varva | FK Tysmenytsia
B | 17  | Avanhard-Industriya Rovenky | Tytan Armyansk | Oskil Kupiansk
1997–98 | A | 18  | Podillia Khmelnytskyj | Dynamo-3 Kyiv | Karpaty-2 Lviv
B | 17  | Krystal Kherson[note 3] | SCA-Lotto Odesa | SC Odesa
C | 17  | Shakhtar-2 Donetsk | Fakel Varva | Elektron Romny
1998–99 | A | 15  | Zakarpattia Uzhhorod | Borysfen Boryspil | Tsymentnyk-Khorda Mykolaiv
B | 16  | SC Odesa[note 4] | Krystal Kherson | Kryvbas-2 Kryvyj Rih
C | 14  | Obolon-PPO Kyiv | Zorya Luhansk | Oskil Kupiansk
1999–00 | A | 16  | Bukovyna Chernivtsi | Podillia Khmelnytskyj | Enerhetyk Burshtyn
B | 14  | Borysfen Boryspil | Obolon-PPO-2 Kyiv | Kryvbas-2 Kryvyj Rih
C | 14  | Dnipro-2 Dnipropetrovsk | ADOMS Kremenchuk | Zorya Luhansk
2000–01 | A | 16  | Polissia Zhytomyr | Sokil Zolochiv | FC Krasyliv
B | 15  | Obolon Kyiv | Systema-Boreks Borodianka | Dnipro-3 Dnipropetrovsk
C | 16  | FC Naftovyk Okhtyrka | Desna Chernihiv | Oskil Kupiansk
2001–02 | A | 19  | FC Krasyliv | Sokil Zolochiv | Podillia Khmelnytskyj
B | 18  | Systema-Boreks Borodianka | Nafkom-Akademiya Irpin | Dynamo Simferopol
C | 18  | FC Sumy | Arsenal Kharkiv | Metalurh-2 Donetsk
2002–03 | A | 15  | LUKOR Kalush[note 5] | Enerhetyk Burshtyn | Podillia Khmelnytskyj
B | 16  | Nafkom Irpin | Dynamo Simferopol | Elektrometalurh-NZF Nikopol
C | 15  | Zorya Luhansk | Shakhtar Luhansk | Desna Chernihiv
2003–04 | A | 16  | Hazovyk-Skala Stryj | Podillia Khmelnytskyj | Rava Rava-Ruska
B | 16  | Dynamo-IhroServis Simferopol | Elektrometalurh-NZF Nikopol | Krymteplytsia Molodizhne
C | 16  | Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk | Desna Chernihiv | Metalurh-2 Zaporizhzhia
2004–05 | A | 15  | Rava Rava-Ruska[note 6] | Enerhetyk Burshtyn | Karpaty-2 Lviv
B | 14  | Krymteplytsia Molodizhne | Krystal Kherson | FC Oleksandriya
C | 15  | Helios Kharkiv | Desna Chernihiv | Dnipro Cherkasy
2005–06 | A | 16  | Desna Chernihiv | Fakel Ivano-Frankivsk | Rava Rava-Ruska
B | 15  | MFK Mykolaiv | PFC Oleksandria[note 7] | PFC Sevastopol
C | 13  | Dnipro Cherkasy | Illichivets-2 Mariupol | Metalurh-2 Zaporizhzhia
2006–07 | A | 15  | Dnister Ovidiopol | Fakel Ivano-Frankivsk | Yednist Plysky
B | 16  | PFC Sevastopol | Feniks-Illichivets Kalinine | Tytan Armyansk
2007–08 | A | 16  | Knyazha Schaslyve | Nyva Ternopil | Podillia-Khmelnytskyj
B | 18  | Komunalnyk Luhansk | Tytan Armyansk | Arsenal Kharkiv
2008–09 | A | 17  | Nyva Ternopil | Arsenal Bila Tserkva[note 8] | Nyva Vinnytsia
B | 18  | Zirka Kirovohrad | FC Poltava | Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk
2009–10 | A | 11  | Bukovyna Chernivtsi | Nyva Vinnytsia | Bastion Illichivsk
B | 14  | Tytan Armyansk | Kremin Kremenchuk | FC Poltava
2010–11 | A | 12  | MFC Mykolaiv | FC Sumy | Enerhiya Nova Kakhovka
B | 12  | Olimpik Donetsk | FC Poltava | Kremin Kremenchuk
2011–12 | A | 14  | FC Sumy | Desna Chernihiv | Slavutych Cherkasy
B | 14  | FC Poltava | Avanhard Kramatorsk | Shakhtar Sverdlovsk
2012–13
(2 stages) | A | 11  | Desna Chernihiv | Nyva Ternopil | Slavutych Cherkasy
B | 13  | UkrAhroKom Holovkivka | Shakhtar Sverdlovsk | Shakhtar-3 Donetsk
2013–14[note 9] | –  | 19  | Hirnyk-Sport Komsomolsk | Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk | FC Ternopil
2014–15 | –  | 10  | Cherkaskyj Dnipro | Obolon-Brovar Kyiv | Kremin Kremenchuk
2015–16[note 10] | –  | 14  | Kolos Kovalivka | Veres Rivne | Inhulets Petrove
2016–17[note 11] | –  | 17  | Zhemchuzhyna Odesa | Rukh Vynnyky | Kremin Kremenchuk
2017–18[note 12] | A | 11  | Ahrobiznes Volochysk | Prykarpattia Ivano-Frankivsk | Nyva-V Vinnytsia
B | 12  | SC Dnipro-1 | Metalist 1925 Kharkiv | Enerhiya Nova Kakhovka
2018–19 | A | 10  | FC Mynai | Cherkashchyna-Akademiya | Polissia Zhytomyr
B | 10  | Kremin Kremenchuk | Metalurh Zaporizhzhia | Hirnyk Kryvyj Rih
2019–20 | A | 11  | Nyva Ternopil | Polissya Zhytomyr | Veres Rivne
B | 11  | VPK-Ahro Shevchenkivka | Krystal Kherson | Alians Lypova Dolyna
2020–21 | A | 14  | Podillia Khmelnytskyi | FC Uzhhorod | Dinaz Vyshhorod
B | 13  | Metal Kharkiv | Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih | Metalurh Zaporizhzhia
2021–22[note 13] | A | 15 | Karpaty Lviv | Livyi Bereh Kyiv | LNZ Cherkasy
B | 16 | Metalurh Zaporizhzhia | Skoruk Tomakivka | Peremoha Dnipro
2022–23 | –  | 10  | Nyva Buzova | FC Khust | Chaika Petropavlivska Borshchahivka
2023–24[note 14] | –  | 15  | Druzhba Myrivka | UCSA Tarasivka | PFC Zviahel
2024–25 | A | 10  | Probiy Horodenka | Rukh-2 Lviv | Skala 1911 Stryi
B | 10  | Kolos-2 Kovalivka | FC Chernihiv | Lokomotyv Kyiv

Notes:

* indicates a championship title won in play-off game(s) between winners of groups.

## Post-season play-offs

[edit]

Until 2009, post-season play-offs were not a common feature of the Second League competition. Over the years, there have been several instances when clubs contested promotion or relegation berths. The first post-season feature consisted of a promotion mini-tournament that took place in July 1998 in Kyiv and Boryspil. It involved three group winners of the Second League and Bukovyna, which placed 18th in the First League. The tournament identified clubs that would qualify for the 1998–99 Ukrainian First League.

### Championship game

[edit]

Season | Group A team | Score | Group B team | Place

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2011–12 | FC Sumy | 2–0  | FC Poltava | in Poltava
2012–13 | FC Desna Chernihiv | 2–0, 1–3 (a)  | FC UkrAhroKom Holovkivka | home / away
2013–17  | Single group competitions  | –
2017–18 | FC Ahrobiznes Volochysk | 1–0  | SC Dnipro-1 | in Kyiv
2018–19 | FC Mynai | 0–1  | FC Kremin Kremenchuk | in Kropyvnytskyi
2019–20 | PFC Nyva Ternopil | Cancelled  | FC VPK-Ahro Shevchenkivka | –
2020–21 | FC Podillya Khmelnytskyi | 0–1  | FC Metal Kharkiv | in Cherkasy
2021–22 | FC Karpaty Lviv | Cancelled  | FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhia | –
2022–24  | Single group competitions  | –
2024–25 | Probiy Horodenka | 2–3, 1–0 (p)  | Kolos-2 Kovalivka | home / away

### Third-place play-offs

[edit]

Season | Group A team | Score | Group B team | Place

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1995–96 | FC Krystal Kherson | 1–3  | FC Metalurh Donetsk | in Kyiv
2008–09 | FC Arsenal Bila Tserkva | 1–0  | FC Poltava | in Cherkasy
2009–10 | FC Nyva Vinnytsia | 2–0  | FC Kremin Kremenchuk | in Makariv
2010–11 | FC Sumy | 2–0  | FC Poltava | in Uman
2011–12 | FC Desna Chernihiv | 0–1  | FC Avanhard Kramatorsk | in Khmelnytskyi
2024–25 | three team mini-tournament (Chernihiv [B2], Skala 1911 [A3], Lokomotyv [B3])

### Relegation play-offs

[edit]

Season | Second League team | Score | Amateur League team | Place

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1997–98 | FC Tysmenytsia | 3–1, 1–1  | Promin Sambir | home/away
Hirnyk Pavlohrad | 1–2, –/+ | Shakhtar Horlivka
Zirka-2 Kirovohrad | w/o | Kharchovyk Popivka

### Promotion play-offs

[edit]

Main article: Ukrainian First League § Relegation play-offs

## Statistics

[edit]

### All group winners in the League by region

[edit]

In bold are shown still active professional clubs

Region  | CoA  | Wins  | Winners

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Kyiv Oblast |  | 9 | FC Boryspil (CKSA-Borysfen), Borysfen Boryspil, Systema-Boreks Borodyanka, Nafkom Irpin, Knyazha Schaslyve, Kolos Kovalivka, Nyva Buzova, Druzhba Myrivka, Kolos-2 Kovalivka
Donetsk Oblast |  | 4 | Bazhanovets Makiivka, Metalurh Mariupol, Shakhtar-2 Donetsk, Olimpik Donetsk
Sumy Oblast |  | 4 | FC Sumy (Spartak) (twice), Naftovyk Okhtyrka, FC Sumy
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast |  | 4 | Dnipro-2 Dnipropetrovsk, Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk, SC Dnipro-1, VPK-Ahro Shevchenkivka
Khmelnytskyi Oblast |  | 4 | Podillya Khmelnytskyi (twice), FC Krasyliv, Ahrobiznes Volochysk
Chernihiv Oblast |  | 3 | Desna Chernihiv (thrice)
Cherkasy Oblast |  | 3 | Dnipro Cherkasy (twice), Cherkaskyi Dnipro
Luhansk Oblast |  | 3 | Zorya Luhansk, Avanhard-Industria Rovenky, Komunalnyk Luhansk
Crimea |  | 3 | Tytan Armyansk, Dynamo-Ihroservice Simferopol, Krymteplytsia Molodizhne
Kyiv |  | 3 | Obolon Kyiv (twice), CSKA Kyiv
Odesa Oblast |  | 3 | SC Odesa, Zhemchuzhyna Odesa, Dnister Ovidiopol
Poltava Oblast |  | 3 | FC Poltava, Hirnyk-Sport Komsomolsk, Kremin Kremenchuk
Ternopil Oblast |  | 3 | Nyva Ternopil (twice), Dnister Zalishchyky
Chernivtsi Oblast |  | 2 | Bukovyna Chernivtsi (twice)
Mykolaiv Oblast |  | 2 | MFC Mykolaiv (twice)
Lviv Oblast |  | 2 | Hazovyk-Skala Stryi, Rava Rava-Ruska, (Karpaty Lviv)
Kirovohrad Oblast |  | 2 | Zirka Kirovohrad, UkrAhroKom Holovkivka
Zakarpattia Oblast |  | 2 | Zakarpattia Uzhhorod, FC Mynai
Kharkiv Oblast |  | 2 | Helios Kharkiv, Metal Kharkiv
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast |  | 2 | LUKOR Kalush, Probiy Horodenka
Kherson Oblast |  | 1 | Krystal Kherson
Zhytomyr Oblast |  | 1 | Polissya Zhytomyr
Sevastopol |  | 1 | PFC Sevastopol
Zaporizhzhia Oblast |  | 0 | (Metalurh Zaporizhzhia)

Conflict of succession

1. In 1993–94 FC Boryspil won the title and was promoted, next season in the 1994–95 Ukrainian First League FC Boryspil changed its name to Borysfen Boryspil and in mid-season again to CSKA-Borysfen. As CSKA-Borysfen it won title again of the First League and was promoted again to the Premier League (Top League) for the 1995–96. At the same time in 1994–95 the original FC CSKA Kyiv won title of the Third League and after being promoted in 1995–96 title of the Second League. Upon conclusion of the 1995–96 in the Top League CSKA-Borysfen was swapped with the third tier CSKA Kyiv, while Borysfen Boryspil restarted from the Second League.
2. Similar situation took place in 2018 when People's Club Veres from Premier League was swapped with FC Lviv that previously played at amateur level. FC Lviv never in its club history gained promotion to the Ukrainian First League, yet spent two stints in the Ukrainian Premier League (first time as a successor of Hazovyk-Skala, second – after the swap with Veres).

### All-time table

[edit]

Top-20. All figures are correct through the 2022–23 season.[4] Club status is current of the 2024–25 season:

| 2024–25 Ukrainian Premier League

|

| 2024–25 Ukrainian First League
| 2024–25 Ukrainian Second League
| 2024–25 Ukrainian Football Amateur League
| 2024–25 Regional competitions
| Club is defunct
PL | Team | Seasons | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA | Pts | Achievement | Prom | First | Last

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1  | Krystal Kherson | 22  | 691  | 288  | 125  | 278  | 909  | 800  | 989  | Winner | 1  | 1992–93 | 2021–22
2  | Tytan Armyansk | 19  | 586  | 262  | 138  | 186  | 818  | 637  | 924  | Winner | 1  | 1992 | 2009–10
3  | Desna Chernihiv | 13  | 397  | 243  | 68  | 86  | 670  | 347  | 797  | Winner | 3  | 1994–95 | 2012–13
4  | Kremin Kremenchuk | 14  | 404  | 193  | 91  | 120  | 592  | 438  | 670  | Winner | 2  | 1999–00 | 2018–19
5  | Shakhtar-3 Donetsk | 15  | 440  | 194  | 71  | 175  | 683  | 622  | 653  | Winner | –  | 2000–01 | 2014–15
6  | Hirnyk-Sport Komsomolsk | 19  | 566  | 182  | 105  | 279  | 613  | 826  | 651  | Winner | 1  | 1995–96 | 2013–14
7  | Bukovyna Chernivtsi | 14  | 431  | 179  | 97  | 155  | 508  | 488  | 634  | Winner | 4  | 1999–00 | 2021–22
8  | Ros Bila Tserkva | 18  | 546  | 174  | 102  | 270  | 504  | 784  | 624  | 5th  | –  | 1993–94 | 2010–11
9  | Olkom Melitopol | 16  | 474  | 169  | 116  | 189  | 536  | 571  | 623  | 4th  | –  | 1995–96 | 2010–11
10  | Veres Rivne | 16  | 477  | 159  | 96  | 222  | 474  | 653  | 573  | Runner-up | 1  | 1997–98 | 2019–20
11  | Nyva Ternopil | 12  | 355  | 156  | 86  | 113  | 420  | 377  | 554  | Winner | 3  | 2002–03 | 2019–20
12  | Podillya Khmelnytskyi | 10  | 317  | 167  | 50  | 100  | 482  | 327  | 551  | Winner | 2  | 1997–98 | 2020–21
13  | Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk | 9  | 268  | 149  | 52  | 67  | 427  | 246  | 499  | Winner | 2  | 2001–02 | 2013–14
14  | Halychyna Drohobych | 11  | 374  | 137  | 80  | 157  | 403  | 435  | 491  | 5th  | –  | 1992–93 | 2002–03
15  | FC Kalush | 12  | 361  | 136  | 64  | 161  | 414  | 428  | 472  | Winner | –  | 1995–96 | 2019–20
16  | Metalurh-2 Zaporizhzhia | 15  | 440  | 130  | 80  | 230  | 489  | 706  | 470  | 3rd  | –  | 1998–99 | 2023–24
17  | Illichivets-2 Mariupol | 13  | 375  | 135  | 59  | 181  | 451  | 561  | 464  | Runner-up | –  | 2000–01 | 2016–17
18  | Hazovyk Komarno | 10  | 326  | 130  | 74  | 122  | 380  | 354  | 464  | Runner-up | –  | 1992 | 2000–01
19  | Dynamo-3 Kyiv | 11  | 328  | 125  | 89  | 114  | 364  | 311  | 464  | Runner-up | –  | 1997–98 | 2007–08
20  | Enerhiya Yuzhnoukrainsk | 13  | 390  | 117  | 90  | 183  | 351  | 516  | 441  | 5th  | –  | 1995–96 | 2007–08

## Players

[edit]

Among notable players of the league are its top scorers.

All-time Second League appearance leaders Player | Games | Years

|
|

Oleksandr Kapusta | 336  | 1996–2009
Andriy Nikiforov | 309  | 1992–2003
Oleksandr Petrov | 306  | 1992–2002
Roman Sanzhar | 299  | 1995–2011
Yuriy Ponomarenko | 296  | 1997–2009
Oleksiy Bondar | 296  | 1997–2009
Yuriy Komyahin | 296  | 2002–2016
Oleksandr Krasnyanskyi | 296  | 1994–2010
Oleksandr Osmachko | 295  | 1995–2016
Mykola Dudych | 294  | 1993–2003
Players in bold are still playing in Second League
Data as of 9 February 2021[5]
All-time Second League scorers Player | Goals | Games | Years

|
|
|

Oleksandr Kozhemyachenko | 105  | 219  | 1999–2011
Oleksandr Kapusta | 104  | 336  | 1996–2009
Ihor Bezdolnyi | 102  | 272  | 1994–2011
Yevhen Arbuzov | 98  | 255  | 1999–2009
Vasyl Karpyn | 88  | 244  | 1992–2003
Stanislav Kulish | 80  | 132  | 2008–2014
Vasyl Shved | 78  | 205  | 1993–2005
Vladyslav Korobkin | 73  | 215  | 2000–2013
Ihor Kiriyenko | 71  | 189  | 2002–2014
Kostiantyn Pinchuk | 68  | 142  | 1993–2007
Volodymyr Kryzhanivskyi | 66  | 192  | 1995–2006
Players in bold are still playing in Second League
Data accurate as of 19 January 2021[5]

## Managers

[edit]

Winning managers | Season  | Nationality  | Winning manager  | Club  | Ref

|
|
|
|

1992 |  UKR | Petro Chervin | Dnister Zalishchyky |
UKR | Viktor Pyshchev | Bazhanovets Makiivka |
1992–93 |  UKR | Semen Osynovskyi | Dnipro Cherkasy |
1993–94 |  UKR | Volodymyr Bezsonov | FC Boryspil |
1994–95 |  UKR | Volodymyr Bohach | Yavir Krasnopillia |
1995–96 |  UKR | Volodymyr Lozynskyi | CSKA Kyiv |
UKR | Yuriy Pohrebnyak | Metalurh Mariupol |
1996–97 |  UKR | Yukhym Shkolnykov | Desna Chernihiv |
UKR | Oleh Smolyaninov | Avanhard Rovenky |
1997–98 |  UKR | Yuriy Avanesov | Podillia Khmelnytskyi |
UKR | Serhiy Shevchenko | Krystal Kherson |
UKR | Yevhen Korol | Shakhtar-2 Donetsk |
1998–99 |  UKR | Viktor Ryashko | Zakarpattia Uzhhorod |
UKR | Ihor Nakonechnyi | SC Odesa |
UKR | Vadym Lazorenko | Obolon-PVO Kyiv |
1999–2000 |  UKR | Yuriy Hiy | Bukovyna Chernivtsi |
UKR | Petro Kutuzov | Dnipro-2 Dnipropetrovsk |
2000–01 |  UKR | Yukhym Shkolnykov | Polissia Zhytomyr |
UKR | Vasyl Yermak | Naftovyk Okhtyrka |
2001–02 |  UKR | Bohdan Blavatskyi | FC Krasyliv |
UKR | Volodymyr Parkhomenko | FC Sumy |
2002–03 |  UKR | Mykola Prystay | Lukor Kalush |
UKR | Volodymyr Kobzarev | Zorya Luhansk |
2003–04 |  UKR | Bohdan Bandura | Hazovyk-Skala Stryi |
UKR | Oleksandr Sevidov | Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk |
2004–05 |  UKR | Ivan Kovanda | Rava Rava-Ruska |
UKR | Ihor Nadein | Helios Kharkiv |
2005–06 |  UKR | Oleksandr Tomakh | Desna Chernihiv |
UKR | Serhiy Morozov | Dnipro Cherkasy |
2006–07 |  UKR | Vasyl Ushchapovskyi | Dnister Ovidiopol |
UKR | Serhiy Puchkov | PFC Sevastopol |
Winning managers (cont.) | Season  | Nationality  | Winning manager  | Club  | Ref

|
|
|
|

2007–08 |  TJK | Vitaly Levchenko | Knyazha Shchaslyve |
UKR | Yuriy Malyhin | Komunalnyk Luhansk |
2008–09 |  UKR | Viktor Ryashko | Nyva Ternopil |
UKR | Ihor Zhabchenko | Zirka Kirovohrad |
2009–10 |  UKR | Vadym Zayats | Bukovyna Chernivtsi |
UKR | Mykola Fedorenko | Tytan Armyansk |
2010–11 |  UKR | Ruslan Zabranskyi | MFC Mykolaiv |
UKR | Ihor Petrov | Olimpik Donetsk |
2011–12 |  UKR | Ihor Zakharyak | PFC Sumy |
UKR | Anatoliy Bezsmertnyi | FC Poltava |
2012–13 |  UKR | Oleksandr Ryabokon | Desna Chernihiv |
UKR | Yuriy Hura | UkrAhroKom Holovkivka |
2013–14 |  UKR | Ihor Zhabchenko | Hirnyk-Sport Komsomolsk |
2014–15 |  UKR | Ihor Stolovytskyi | Cherkaskyi Dnipro |
2015–16 |  UKR | Ruslan Kostyshyn | Kolos Kovalivka |
2016–17 |  UKR | Denys Kolchin | Zhemchuzhyna Odesa |
2017–18 |  UKR | Andriy Donets | Ahrobiznes Volochysk |
UKR | Dmytro Mykhailenko | SC Dnipro-1 |
2018–19 |  UKR | Vasyl Kobin | FC Mynai |
UKR | Ihor Stolovytskyi | Kremin Kremenchuk |
2019–20 |  UKR | Vasyl Malyk | Nyva Ternopil |
UKR | Serhiy Solovyov | VPK-Ahro Shevchenkivka |
2020–21 |  UKR | Vitaliy Kostyshyn | Podillia Khmelnytskyi |
UKR | Oleksandr Kucher | Metal Kharkiv |
2021–22 |  UKR | Andriy Tlumak | Karpaty Lviv |
UKR | Volodymyr Mykytyn | Metalurh Zaporizhzhia |
2022–23 |  UKR | Serhiy Karpenko | Nyva Buzova |
2023–24 |  UKR | Dmytro Chyrykal | Druzhba Myrivka |
2024–25 |  UKR | Volodymyr Kovalyuk | Probiy Horodenka |
UKR | Volodymyr Bondarenko | Kolos-2 Kovalivka |

## Stadiums

[edit]

Further information: List of football stadiums in Ukraine

### Most attended games

[edit]

Most of the most attended games in the league since 1992 recorded at Zirka Stadium (Kropyvnytskyi), and since 1993–94 season FC Zirka Kropyvnytskyi all time attendance record on a single game until 2017–18 season, when Metalist Kharkiv phoenix club Metalist 1925 participated in the Druha Liha together with their original club rivals FC Dnipro and SC Dnipro-1. The record was set on in a Metalist 1925–Dnipro-1 match, which was attended by 14,521 people.[6]

#  | Season  | Attendance  | Home team  | Score  | Visiting team  | Stadium  | Ref

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | 2017–18 | 14,521  | Metalist 1925 Kharkiv | 1:1  | Dnipro-1 | OSC Metalist | [6]
2  | 1993–94 | 14,000  | Zirka-NIBAS Kirovohrad | 2:0  | FC Boryspil | Zirka Stadium | [6]
3  | 2008–09 | 12,100  | Zirka Kirovohrad  | 2:1  | Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk | Zirka Stadium  | [6]
4  | 1993–94  | 12,000  | Zirka-NIBAS Kirovohrad  | 5:0  | Shakhtar Pavlohrad | Zirka Stadium  | [6]
1993–94  | 12,000  | Zirka-NIBAS Kirovohrad  | 1:0  | Dnister Zalishchyky | Zirka Stadium  | [6]

The most attended seasons were in the beginning of 1990s and the beginning of 2000s.[6]

## External links

[edit]

* (in Ukrainian) Druha Liha at Official Site of the Professional Football league of Ukraine
* (in Ukrainian) Interaction site for Druha liha
* (in Russian) Variety of championships[usurped]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Currently the Professional Football League of Ukraine does not relegate teams, as a lot of them withdraw from the league on their own due to financial difficulties. Normally the clubs placing last are subject to loss of professional status and relegation to their regional competitions.
2. ^ In 1993–94 four teams were promoted to the Ukrainian First League. The fourth place team in the competition was Naftokhimik Kremenchuk.
3. ^ Krystal Kherson failed to win the play-offs for promotion to the Ukrainian First League.
4. ^ In 1999 SC Odesa was merged with FC Chornomorets Odesa and its place in Ukrainian First League was fielded revived FC Chornomorets-2 Odesa.
5. ^ LUKOR Kalush officially was not farm team of Prykarpattia Ivano-Frankivsk. After the season it was announced that both clubs "merged" with LUKOR Kalush being officially promoted as Spartak Ivano-Frankivsk and Prykarpattia Ivano-Frankivsk being officially relegated as Prykarpattia Kalush. In reality no real changes took place except for change of names. Rosters, coaching staff, clubs' structure were preserved with the Kalush team continued to be played in the Second League.
6. ^ After reviewing Rava Ruska's solvency and facilities the PFL decided not to promote them. 2nd placed Enerhetyk Burshtyn were promoted instead.
7. ^ PFC Oleksandria were promoted to the Ukrainian First League since they were best 2nd placed team in all Druha Liha competitions
8. ^ FC Arsenal Bila Tserkva were promoted to the Ukrainian First League since FC Ihroservice Simferopol as the member of the First League withdrew from competitions. Arsenal and Poltava were allowed to compete for the extra promotion due to that in the play-off game in Cherkasy. Arsenal won the game 1–0, gaining promotion.
9. ^ In the 2013–14 season, four teams were promoted to the Ukrainian First League. The fourth place team in the competition was Hirnyk Kryvyi Rih.
10. ^ In the 2015–16 season, a record of six teams were promoted to the Ukrainian First League including Bukovyna Chernivtsi, Skala Stryi, and Arsenal-Kyiv.
11. ^ In the 2016–17 season, four teams were promoted to the Ukrainian First League, the fourth team being Balkany Zorya.
12. ^ In the 2017–18 season, four teams were promoted to the Ukrainian First League and one team to the Ukrainian Premier League. This other team was FC Lviv (placed 5th, Group A).
13. ^ In the 2021–22 season, ten teams were promoted to the Ukrainian First League, while Livyi Bereh was awarded promotion after skipping a season by honoring its second place.
14. ^ In the 2023–24 season, two teams were promoted to the Ukrainian First League, the second team being FC Kudrivka (placed 7th).

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Valerko, A. Velvet revolution. How, why and wherefore FFU reloads the Ukrainian championship (Оксамитова революція. Як, чому і навіщо ФФУ перезавантажує чемпіонат України). Sport Arena. 22 June 2017.
2. ^ Valerko, A. C:\format or C:\reload. By whom, how and why is being formatted the Ukrainian championship (C:\format или C:\reload. Кем, как и почему реформируется чемпионат Украины). Sport Arena. 22 August 2017
3. ^ Фек: Підтримую Данілова і Бальчоса - хай це саме зробить Суркіс
4. ^ http://wildstat.ru/p/2105/cht/214/stat/summary Чемпионат Украины, вторая лига (Суммарная таблица за все годы)
5. ^ a b Чемпионат Украины D3. footballfacts.ru
6. ^ a b c d e f g Valerko, A. Which game is the most attended in history of the Druha Liha? (Який матч – найвідвідуваніший в історії Другої ліги?). Sport Arena. 25 August 2016 (first ed.)

## External links

[edit]

* Реформа Другої ліги: "Мы свой, мы новый мир построим!" www.ua-football.com. 29 January 2013

* v
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2025–26 Ukrainian Second League clubs

Group A|

* Atlet Kyiv
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|

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|

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