A Lyga

The A Lyga is the top division of professional football in Lithuania. The A Lyga is an abbreviation of Aukščiausia lyga meaning Highest League. It is organized by Lithuanian Football Federation LFF ( lt, Lietuvos Futbolo Federacija). The Aukščiausia lyga also existed during the Soviet period of Lithuania, but was not considered to be a professional league until dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The league size has varied between 8 and 12 teams in the recent seasons, however 2020 A Lyga the league featured record low of only 6 teams. But in the latest 2021 A Lyga season there were 10 teams. The final list of participants often does not correlate to the final results of the previous season, as the participation is finalized through the Lithuanian Football Federation league licensing process. The season usually kicks off in late February or early March and ends in November. Because of the harsh climate, there are no games in the winter.

Due to political reasons, in 1991 Lithuania was banned by UEFA from continental competitions refusing licensing of Žalgiris to compete as a Lithuanian club rather than a Soviet club. Lithuania became affiliated with UEFA in 1992. The A Lyga champion secures the right to play in UEFA Champions League first qualifying round. The runner up and the 3rd-place winner secure right to play in UEFA Europa Conference League starting in first qualifying round. A lyga team is yet to play in the group stage of either competition. At the end of 2021, the best performing club in Europe is FK Sūduva, taking #124 in UEFA Club Coefficients table.

Clubs

Ten clubs are competing in the 2021 season. The bottom placed team will be relegated, 9th placed team will contest in a play-off with the 2nd placed team from I lyga.

^a Founding member of the A Lyga

^b Never been relegated from the A Lyga

^c Two former clubs, named FK Dainava have participated in A lyga in 2001, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Format

The season kicks off in early spring, and finishes in late autumn. Due to harsh weather, no games are played in winter. The teams play 4 rounds in regular season. In some of the past seasons top teams would have played one more championship round after that. The last placed team is relegated, and the team immediately above them contests a play-off match with the 2nd placed team in I Lyga for a spot in the next year's A lyga.

In recent years, the list of participants often did not correlate to the final results of the previous season due to failures to meet A lyga licensing criteria. Participation is finalised through the Lithuanian Football Federation league licensing process.

Sponsorship

As well as sponsorship for the league itself, the A Lyga has a number of official partners and suppliers. The official ball supplier for the league is Nike who have had the contract since the 2013 season when they took over from Adidas.

History

Interbellum and WWII

After Lithuania gained independence in 1918, the first ever football tournament was held in 1922.

Seasons

Note: In 1924–1930, 1935, 1942, 1942–1943 and 1945 seasons there was no unified league and winners were decided using either a play–off format or a single game between winners of separate divisions.

Performance by club

All champions from this period are defunct.

Post-War period and the Lithuanian SSR Championship

During the Lithuania's Soviet occupation, each soviet republic ran their separate football championship. The clubs could either participate in the competition of the soviet republic, or in the Soviet Union football league system.

Seasons

Note: The biggest and most notable clubs, such as Žalgiris Vilnius played in Soviet Union's Football Premier League instead of Lithuanian SSR Divisions.

Performance by club

Clubs currently playing in A Lyga are written in Bold.

^† - Defunct clubs.

Regained Independence and the A Lyga - present

As Lithuania regained the independence in 1991, the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) was re-established, and A Lyga was shaped same year. The Soviet football divisions dissolved, and the teams that participated in them returned to the Lithuania's national championship.

List of champions (1991–)

Seasons

Performance by club

Clubs currently playing in A Lyga are highlighted in Bold.

^† - Defunct clubs.

Spectators

The average number of spectators per match remains very low in recent years.

References

External links

Official website

Futbolo.TV
- A lyga streaming and video center

- List of Champions
Lithuanian Football: History & Statistics by Almis
- Championship statistics

{{UEFA leagues

LFF Lyga
1
Lithuania
Summer association football leagues
Professional sports leagues in Lithuania