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Second Professional Football League (Bulgaria)
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_logo.jpeg){kind=logo} Втора Професионална Футболна Λига | |
| Organising body | Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) Bulgarian Professional Football League (BPFL) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1950 |
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Divisions | 1 |
| Number of clubs | 17 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | First League |
| Relegation to | Third League |
| Domestic cup | Bulgarian Cup |
| Current champions | Dobrudzha (2nd title) (2024–25) |
| Most championships | Beroe Stara Zagora (9 titles) |
| Broadcaster(s) | Nova Broadcasting Group |
| Website | http://old.fpleague.bg/index2.php |
| Current: 2025–26 season | |
The Bulgarian Second Professional Football League (Bulgarian: Втора професионална футболна лига, romanized: Vtora Profesionalna Futbolna Liga), also known as Second League (Bulgarian: Втора Лига) or Vtora liga (currently known as Mr. Bit Second League for sponsorship reasons), is the second level of the Bulgarian football league system, below First League and above the Third League. Twenty teams take part in the league, each playing twice against all the other, once home and once away. Most matches are played on Saturdays and Sundays. The league is administered by the Bulgarian Professional Football League.
In 2016, the B Group's name was rebranded to Second Professional Football League.[1]
Competition format
[edit]A team receives 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss.
Promotion and relegation positions
[edit]For 2024–25 Season :
- First place (champion) to Second place (runner-up): Direct promotion to First Professional Football League.
- Third place to Fourth place: Promotion playoff against the 13th and 14th place team from First Professional Football League.
- 17th to 20th place: Relegation to Third Amateur Football League.
2025–26 clubs
[edit]
History
[edit]
B Republican Football Group
[edit]The B group was established in 1950 when the league was divided in two groups - North and South, in each group participating 10 teams. The first champions of the B Republican Football Group are Torpedo (Ruse) (North) and Spartak (Sofia) (South).
In season 1951 the group is only one - B Republican Football Group with 12 teams. The regulations are - in A Group are going the top team in the final standings from Sofia and the top two teams from the province (teams that aren't from Sofia).
In the next season 1952 the group is formed by 14 teams and from season 1953 the league is divided into five groups - Sofia B Group, North-West B Group, South-West B Group, North-East B Group and South-East B Group.
Second Professional Football Group
[edit]In the next seasons the league had many changes. In 2000 the Bulgarian Football Union changed the name of the division. The league is formed by 18 teams, not like previous seasons - 16 teams. To reduce the teams to 16 again in the next season the last six teams that finish in the final standings in the league were directly relegated.
First Professional Football League
[edit]Before the start of season 2001/2002 the league was again renamed. The championship started with 13 teams, because Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) and Belasitsa (Petrich) united with two teams from A Group - Lokomotiv with PFC Velbazhd Kyustendil and Belasitsa with PFC Hebar Pazardzhik. That meant, that this was the end of professional football in the towns of Kyustendil and Pazardzhik.
B Professional Football Group
[edit]Returning to the traditions of the B Republican Football Group was the creating of the B Professional Football Group. 16 teams participated in the league, each playing twice against all the other, once home and once away, with no play-offs.
Before the start of season 2005/2006 the Bulgarian Football Union decided to divide B Group in two groups - West B Group and East B Group with 14 teams in each group. Every team plays 13 matches as home team and 13 matches as away team. The two champions of the groups were directly promoted to A Group and the two teams that finished in second place in their group played a play-off for winning the final third place for promotion in A Group. On May 19, 2008 the two groups were extended to 16 teams. For season 2010/2011 the two groups were reduced again with 12 teams in each.
But just before the start of season 2011/2012 the number of teams in the two groups was again reduced - 10 teams in both West B Group and East B Group, with the winners of the groups directly promoting to A Group. The two teams that finished in second place in their group enter in a play-off for winning a place at the final play-off for promotion/relegation with the team that finished 14th in A Group.
Further changes were made before the start of season 2012/2013. The former format of B Group with the two groups (West and East) was replaced by a single division, formed by fourteen teams.
Second League
[edit]Former champions (from season 2005–06)
[edit]The following table presents the former champions of B Group (until season 2011–12 it had separate champions about the zones East and West).[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Официално 14-те отбора в родния елит, новият формат и новото име на първенството
- ^ "Bulgarian football - B Group". bulgarian-football.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
| League competitions | |
|---|---|
| Cup competitions | |
| Defunct competitions |
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| National teams | |
| Regional Amateur Football Groups | |
| Lists | |
| Awards | |
Second Professional Football League (Bulgaria)
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Administration
Governing body
The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) is the primary governing body responsible for the organization, licensing, and rule enforcement of the Second Professional Football League (also known as Vtora Liga). Established in 1923 and a UEFA member since 1954, the BFU administers the league's day-to-day operations, including the development of the match schedule, management of competition results, and protection of participating clubs' interests. It ensures the league operates as a professional entity, fostering sustainable growth in Bulgarian football.[7] The BFU maintains a collaborative relationship with the Bulgarian Professional Football League (BPFL), established in 1991, which primarily focuses on the top-tier First Professional Football League. While the BFU provides overarching regulatory framework and represents Bulgaria in international matters, the BPFL assists with professional tiers where applicable, to align domestic competitions with global standards set by UEFA and FIFA. This partnership facilitates coordinated governance, with the BFU handling league-specific administration for the Second Professional Football League under its oversight.[7][10] Licensing criteria for clubs in the Second Professional Football League are established and enforced by the BFU, with key requirements introduced in 2016 to support the leagues' transition to full professional status and compliance with UEFA benchmarks. These include financial criteria, such as audited annual statements, no overdue payables to employees, clubs, or tax authorities, and break-even assessments to ensure fiscal responsibility; infrastructural standards, requiring access to a UEFA Category 2 stadium, year-round training facilities with medical and dressing rooms, and overall venue suitability; and youth development mandates, encompassing written programs for player training, minimum youth teams (e.g., for ages 10-14, 15-21, and under-10), qualified youth coaches, and integration of education without barriers. The BFU plays a central role in scheduling fixtures, resolving disputes through administrative processes, and verifying adherence to these standards, thereby upholding UEFA and FIFA regulations for fair play and professional integrity.[11][7]Naming and sponsorship
The second tier of Bulgarian football was established in 1950 as the B Republican Football Group, initially divided into northern and southern sections before unification.[12] In 2000, following reorganization to expand to 18 teams, it was renamed the B Professional Football Group (B PFG) as part of broader league professionalization efforts.[13] The league retained this name until 2016, when it adopted its current official name, Second Professional Football League, to emphasize its professional status alongside the top-tier First Professional Football League.[14] Since June 2025, the league has been branded as the MrBit Second League under a sponsorship agreement with the online bookmaker Mr. Bit, marking its first title sponsorship.[15] The multi-year deal, initially for two seasons with an option to extend for a third, allocates BGN 40,000 (€20,000) annually to each participating club—earmarked specifically for youth academy development per Bulgarian Football Union guidelines—and includes prominent logo placement on official league materials, matchday assets, and digital platforms.[15] It also enhances visibility through expanded broadcasting rights, with select matches streamed on Mr. Bit's proprietary platform starting in the 2025–26 season, aiming to boost financial stability and media exposure for the competition.[15] Prior to the Mr. Bit partnership, the league operated without a dedicated title sponsor, though Efbet, Bulgaria's leading licensed bookmaker, played a significant role in elevating its profile by sponsoring multiple second-division clubs such as CSKA 1948 and investing over BGN 25 million annually across Bulgarian football since 2019, which indirectly improved league-wide marketing and broadcasting reach.[16]Competition format
Structure
The Second Professional Football League operates as a single nationwide division in the Bulgarian football system, featuring 18 teams for the 2025–26 season, a reduction from the 20 teams used in the 2024–25 campaign to enhance competition depth. This structure allows for a balanced representation of clubs from various regions, fostering broader participation while maintaining professional standards.[17] The competition follows a double round-robin format, where each team competes against every other team twice—once at home and once away—resulting in 34 matches per club and a total of 306 fixtures across the season.[9] Matches are primarily scheduled on weekends, with occasional midweek games to accommodate the calendar, ensuring a steady pace of play.[18] The season typically commences in late July or early August and concludes in late May or early June, aligning with European football calendars to avoid overlaps with international commitments. A winter break interrupts proceedings from mid-December to early February, providing teams with recovery time amid Bulgaria's cold weather conditions.[18] In the event of tied points among teams, tie-breaking criteria are applied sequentially: first by overall goal difference, then by goals scored, followed by head-to-head results between the tied teams, away goals in those matches, and, if necessary, playoffs to determine final positions. Historically, the league's structure has evolved from multiple regional groups in the 1950s through the 2000s, which fragmented competition geographically, to a unified national professional format established in the early 2000s for greater cohesion and quality. The recent shift to 18 teams in 2025–26 builds on this progression, aiming to increase match variety and competitive balance without altering the core single-division model.[17]Promotion and relegation
The Second Professional Football League operates a promotion and relegation system with the First Professional Football League above and the Third League below, ensuring competitive balance across the Bulgarian football pyramid. The league champion earns automatic promotion to the First League, while the runner-up faces the 13th-placed team from the First League in a two-legged playoff for an additional spot.[19] At the bottom of the table, the three lowest-placed teams are directly relegated to the Third League. The team finishing 15th participates in a relegation playoff against promotion candidates from the Third League, typically the runners-up or winners of regional groups, to determine survival or descent.[20] These playoffs are conducted in a single-elimination or two-legged format, with home advantage granted to the higher-ranked team based on regular-season position.[21] Reserve teams affiliated with First League clubs, such as CSKA Sofia II or Levski Sofia II, are ineligible for promotion to maintain competitive integrity and prevent conflicts of interest. Promoted teams must also satisfy financial and licensing criteria set by the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU), including stadium standards and budgetary requirements, to participate in the First League.[22] For the 2025–26 season, the league adopted an 18-team format, prompting adjustments to promotion and relegation spots to preserve equilibrium: up to two teams can ascend to the First League (the champion directly and the winner of the runner-up vs. 13th First League playoff), while three are relegated directly and the 15th faces a playoff, aligning with two incoming teams from the top tier and three from the Third League.[19] The Second Professional Football League, also known as the MrBit Second League for sponsorship reasons, follows these rules as of the 2025–26 season.2025–26 season
Clubs
The 2025–26 Second Professional Football League season features 17 teams following the withdrawal of FC Krumovgrad on 8 July 2025, after their direct relegation from the First League.[23][24] The league includes one team directly relegated from the 2024–25 First League (Hebar Pazardzhik), six teams promoted from the 2024–25 Third League (Chernomorets 1919 Burgas, Fratria Varna, Vihren Sandanski, Minyor Pernik, Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa, and Sevlievo), and the remaining teams retained from the previous Second League season after three promotions to the First League (Spartak Varna, Dobrudzha Dobrich, and Montana).[25][26]| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity | Qualification Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yantra Gabrovo | Gabrovo | Hristo Botev Stadium | 14,000 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League |
| Dunav Ruse | Ruse | Gradski Stadion Ruse | 13,500 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League |
| Fratria Varna | Varna | Albena Stadium | 3,000 | Promoted as playoff winner from Third League Southeast |
| Chernomorets 1919 Burgas | Burgas | Lazur Stadium | 18,037 | Promoted as champion of Third League Southeast |
| Vihren Sandanski | Sandanski | Septemvri Stadium | 9,045 | Promoted as champion of Third League Southwest |
| CSKA Sofia II | Sofia | CSKA Sports Complex | 2,000 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League (reserve team) |
| Hebar Pazardzhik | Pazardzhik | Georgi Benkovski Stadium | 13,800 | Relegated from 2024–25 First League |
| Marek 1915 Dupnitsa | Dupnitsa | Bonchuk Stadium | 16,050 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League |
| Pirin Blagoevgrad | Blagoevgrad | Hristo Botev Stadium | 7,500 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League |
| Minyor Pernik | Pernik | Minyor Stadium | 8,000 | Promoted as champion of Third League Northwest |
| Ludogorets Razgrad II | Razgrad | Huvepharma Arena (training pitch) | 1,500 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League (reserve team) |
| Etar Veliko Tarnovo | Veliko Tarnovo | Ivaylo Stadium | 25,000 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League |
| Belasitsa Petrich | Petrich | Tsar Samuil Arena | 12,100 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League |
| Sevlievo | Sevlievo | Rakovski Stadium | 4,100 | Promoted as playoff winner from Third League Northwest |
| Sportist Svoge | Svoge | Chavdar Tsvetkov Stadium | 5,625 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League |
| Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa | Gorna Oryahovitsa | Lokomotiv Stadium | 12,000 | Promoted as champion of Third League Northeast |
| Spartak Pleven | Pleven | Pleven Stadium | 12,500 | Retained from 2024–25 Second League |
Results and standings
As of November 15, 2025, the 2025–26 Second Professional Football League season has reached matchday 15 for some teams, with 17 clubs competing. Dunav Ruse remains the frontrunner with an impressive record, while Fratria and Yantra Gabrovo continue to challenge closely. Promoted sides like Vihren Sandanski have maintained strong form, contributing to competitive mid-table positions. The season has seen continued intensity, with high-scoring games and solid defensive displays. Disciplinary incidents remain moderate. As teams approach the winter break in late December, emphasis is on maintaining form and managing injuries.[26]Current League Table
The following table reflects standings after matches played up to November 15, 2025.[27]| Pos | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF:GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FK Dunav Ruse | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 31:4 | +27 | 38 |
| 2 | FC Fratria | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 25:11 | +14 | 31 |
| 3 | Yantra Gabrovo | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 17:10 | +7 | 29 |
| 4 | FC Vihren Sandanski | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 24:17 | +7 | 27 |
| 5 | CSKA Sofia II | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 26:16 | +10 | 24 |
| 6 | FC Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 15:13 | +2 | 20 |
| 7 | Hebar Pazardzhik | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 20:19 | +1 | 19 |
| 8 | OFK Pirin Blagoevgrad | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 20:20 | 0 | 18 |
| 9 | PFC Minyor Pernik | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 15:16 | -1 | 17 |
| 10 | Chernomorets 1919 Burgas | 14 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 18:18 | 0 | 16 |
| 11 | PFK Ludogorets Razgrad II | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 16:21 | -5 | 16 |
| 12 | Marek 1915 Dupnitsa | 14 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 10:17 | -7 | 14 |
| 13 | Etar Veliko Tarnovo | 14 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 13:19 | -6 | 13 |
| 14 | FK Sportist Svoge | 14 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 9:23 | -14 | 11 |
| 15 | OFK Spartak Pleven | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 10:19 | -9 | 10 |
| 16 | FC Sevlievo | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 9:21 | -12 | 10 |
| 17 | FC Belasitsa Petrich | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 5:19 | -14 | 10 |
Key Recent Results
Recent matchdays have featured competitive results. Notable fixtures from late October to mid-November 2025 include:| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 3, 2025 | Yantra Gabrovo | 0–3 | CSKA Sofia II |
| Nov 2, 2025 | Marek 1915 Dupnitsa | 3–1 | Pirin Blagoevgrad |
| Nov 2, 2025 | Vihren Sandanski | 3–0 | Belasitsa Petrich |
| Nov 8, 2025 | Chernomorets Burgas | 3–0 | Marek 1915 Dupnitsa |
| Nov 8, 2025 | Hebar Pazardzhik | 2–0 | Lokomotiv GO |
Upcoming Fixtures
Matchday 16 is scheduled for late November 2025, with key matchups to be determined based on the schedule.Statistical Leaders
- Top Scorers: Mark-Emilio Papazov (CSKA Sofia II) and Léo Pimenta (Vihren Sandanski) lead with 15 goals each, followed by Preslav Yordanov (Minyor Pernik) with 14.[29]
- Clean Sheets: Dunav Ruse maintains the best defensive record, conceding only 4 goals. Comprehensive clean sheet data is not detailed at this stage.
History
Origins and early development (1948–2000)
The B Republican Football Group was established in 1948 as the second tier of Bulgarian football, coinciding with the creation of the top-level A Republican Football Group and operating under the communist state's sports structures, including the Physical Culture and Sports Committee.[13] The league initially featured a regional format influenced by post-World War II reorganization, with the 1949–50 season involving 12 teams in a single group that was interrupted after four rounds due to governmental decisions on sports rearrangement, resulting in no champion being declared.[30] In 1950, the league relaunched with a divided structure of North and South groups, each comprising 10 teams, reflecting the state's emphasis on balanced regional development in sports.[13] The inaugural champions were Torpedo Ruse in the North group and Spartak Sofia in the South group, highlighting the participation of clubs tied to the Dobrovolni Sportni Organizatsii (DSO) system introduced by communist reforms in 1949, which restructured clubs around state-affiliated organizations like Cherveno Zname and Spartak.[31][32] The groups unified into a single national division in 1951 with 12 teams, expanding to 14 teams the following year to accommodate growing participation amid Bulgaria's centralized sports policy.[13] By 1953, the league regionalized into five zones—Sofia, North-West, South-West, North-East, and South-East—to address logistical challenges and promote local talent development under state directives, a format that persisted variably through the 1950s with winners advancing via playoffs.[13] Early champions included Levski Sofia (1951) and VVS Sofia (1952), underscoring the influence of military-affiliated DSO teams, while format instability arose from political shifts, such as the 1957 abolition of the DSO system, which restored traditional club names like Levski and Slavia and transitioned the league toward a more unified structure.[13] The calendar shifted to fall-spring in 1958, with North and South divisions continuing briefly before full unification into a single group of 16 teams by 1962–63, stabilizing the competition despite ongoing adjustments for relegation (typically 1–3 teams based on size).[13][33] From the 1960s to the 1990s, the B Republican Football Group operated as a single national division, expanding occasionally to 18 teams, but retained elements of regional focus through geographically balanced scheduling to mitigate disparities between urban centers like Sofia and rural areas.[13] State sports policy continued to shape the league, with club mergers (e.g., 1968–69 consolidations) and disbandments (post-1984–85) reflecting central planning, while amateur status predominated until semi-professional elements emerged in the 1990s amid economic reforms.[13] Key challenges included low professionalism, marked by part-time players and limited infrastructure, exacerbating regional imbalances where teams from industrial areas like Plovdiv outperformed those from smaller towns; match-fixing incidents, such as in 1972–73, further undermined credibility.[13] Integration with the national cup—the Soviet Army Cup (1948–1982) and later Cup of Bulgaria (from 1983)—allowed B Group teams to participate from early knockout rounds, with notable successes like Lokomotiv Plovdiv reaching the 1982 final as a second-tier side and the 1960 final while in the top tier, providing pathways for promotion and exposure despite the tier's amateur constraints.[34] By 2000, these factors had positioned the league for professionalization, though persistent format tweaks due to political transitions highlighted its evolution under state oversight.[13]B Professional Football Group era (2000–2016)
The B Professional Football Group era represented a pivotal phase in the professionalization of Bulgaria's second-tier football, commencing in 2000 when the Bulgarian Football Union restructured the league to emphasize its fully professional nature, renaming it the B Professional Football Group from the previous B Republican Football Group. This change aligned with broader efforts to elevate standards following the establishment of the top-tier A Professional Football Group, aiming to create a more competitive and sustainable second division with 16 teams competing in a double round-robin format. The league's structure allowed for two promotions to the top flight, with the bottom two or three teams facing relegation to regional amateur divisions, fostering a dynamic promotion and relegation system that encouraged investment in club infrastructure and player development.[35] A significant format shift occurred in the 2005–06 season, when the league was divided into Western and Eastern B PFG groups, each comprising 14 teams (total 28 teams), to minimize travel expenses and reflect regional rivalries, with promotion determined via playoffs among the top teams from each group. This split format persisted until the 2011–12 season, after which the league unified into a single group of 14 teams for 2012–13, reducing to 10 teams in 2013–14 before varying between 10 and 16 in subsequent seasons to accommodate licensing and financial criteria. Key developments included the introduction of mandatory club licensing in 2001, requiring teams to demonstrate financial viability, adequate facilities, and youth academies to participate, which helped stabilize the league but also led to occasional team withdrawals. Attendance and television coverage grew modestly during this period, with matches broadcast on national channels, boosting visibility for emerging talents and contributing to an average gate of several thousand per game in larger venues.[36] The era was not without challenges, including several high-profile scandals such as match-fixing probes in 2011 that involved clubs and officials across Bulgarian football, prompting investigations by authorities and temporary suspensions in the B PFG. Club bankruptcies were recurrent, exemplified by financial collapses at teams like Vidima-Rakovski Sevlievo in 2014, which dissolved after failing to meet licensing obligations, highlighting ongoing issues with economic sustainability in the second tier. Notable successes included promotions of ambitious clubs like Beroe Stara Zagora, which topped the East group in the split 2008–09 season with 66 points and advanced to win the Bulgarian Cup the following year, marking a rare ascent from the B PFG to national prominence. As the period concluded, increasing pressure for UEFA-compliant regulations— including enhanced financial fair play and infrastructure mandates—culminated in reforms that paved the way for the league's 2016 rebranding.[37]Second Professional era (2016–present)
The Second Professional Football League was established through a rebranding of the previous B Group in 2016, marking a shift toward greater professionalization in Bulgarian football's second tier. This change, overseen by the Bulgarian Professional Football League, introduced stricter licensing criteria emphasizing club infrastructure improvements, such as upgraded stadium facilities and training grounds, alongside enhanced financial transparency requirements to ensure long-term stability. These reforms aimed to align the league more closely with UEFA standards, reducing administrative inconsistencies from the prior era and fostering a more competitive environment for aspiring top-flight clubs.[14] Since its inception, the league has maintained a stable format of 16 teams competing in a single group with a double round-robin schedule, totaling 30 matches per team, from the 2016–17 season through 2024–25. This structure provided predictability and allowed for focused development, with the top two teams typically earning promotion to the First Professional Football League and the bottom three facing relegation to the regional Third League. In a notable evolution, the league expanded to 18 teams starting in the 2025–26 season to accommodate additional competitive balance and integrate more clubs from lower divisions, reflecting ongoing efforts to broaden participation without diluting quality.[38] Key milestones during this period include regulatory adjustments to promote youth development, such as mandatory inclusion of under-21 Bulgarian players in matchday squads across professional leagues, which indirectly boosted opportunities for academy products in the Second League. Digital advancements were highlighted by the Bulgarian Football Union's 2019 partnership with Genius Sports, enabling real-time statistics and enhanced broadcasting capabilities on official platforms to improve fan engagement and data accessibility. The league also navigated significant disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic; matches were suspended nationwide in March 2020, and the 2020–21 season was delayed by two weeks due to positive cases among players, leading to abbreviated schedules and empty stadiums to comply with health protocols.[39][40] Recent trends underscore the league's evolving landscape, with a rise in academy and reserve teams—such as CSKA Sofia's and Levski Sofia's second squads—participating to provide pathways for young talents amid limited first-team opportunities. An influx of international players, averaging around three per team from regions like Africa and Eastern Europe, has diversified squads and elevated tactical standards, though it has sparked debates on balancing foreign imports with local development. Attendance has shown gradual recovery post-2022, with average figures climbing to over 500 spectators per match in recent seasons, driven by renewed fan interest following pandemic restrictions and promotional initiatives.[26] Persistent challenges include stark financial disparities among clubs, where wealthier sides backed by sponsors dominate while smaller entities struggle with debts and licensing threats, as evidenced by ongoing Bulgarian Football Union interventions to prevent bankruptcies. Integration with the Third League remains a point of contention, with promotion slots often contested amid regional disparities in resources, prompting calls for streamlined pathways to support upward mobility without overwhelming the professional structure.[41]Champions and records
List of champions
The Second Professional Football League (Bulgaria), formerly the B Professional Football Group (B PFG), has crowned champions since its inception as a professional second-tier competition in 2000, following a regional format in the earlier B Republican Football Group era (1950–2000). Prior to 2000, the league operated as separate North and South groups, with winners determined regionally; the first recorded champion in the South group was Lokomotiv Sofia in 1950–51. The competition became a single national group in 2013–14, and was rebranded in 2016. The table below lists all champions from the 2000–01 season onward, including runners-up, additional promoted teams (typically the top three or four, including playoff winners), and notes on key events such as playoffs or format changes. Data is compiled from historical match records and league archives. Pre-2000 regional winners are not exhaustively listed here due to the decentralized format, but notable examples include Torpedo Ruse (North, 1950) and Spartak Sofia (South, 1950).[42][43][44]B PFG era (2000–2016)
During this period, the league was a single national group until 2004–05, then split into East and West groups from 2005–06 to 2012–13, with champions from each group advancing to promotion playoffs against A PFG relegants. From 2013–14, it returned to a single group.| Season | Champion | Runners-up | Promoted teams | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | Spartak Pleven | Marek Dupnitsa | Spartak Pleven, Marek Dupnitsa, Belasitsa Petrich | Single national group introduced.[45] |
| 2001–02 | Rilski Sportist Samokov | Dobrudzha Dobrich | Rilski Sportist Samokov, Dobrudzha Dobrich, Botev Plovdiv | Three teams promoted via league position.[46] |
| 2002–03 | Rodopa Smolyan | Makedonska Slava | Rodopa Smolyan, Makedonska Slava, Vidima-Rakovski Sevlievo | Promotion based on final standings.[44] |
| 2003–04 | Beroe Stara Zagora | Pirin Blagoevgrad | Beroe Stara Zagora, Pirin Blagoevgrad | Beroe's first of multiple titles.[47] |
| 2004–05 | Vihren Sandanski | Botev Plovdiv | Vihren Sandanski, Botev Plovdiv, Pirin Blagoevgrad | Standard promotion format. |
| 2005–06 | Spartak Varna (East), Rilski Sportist Samokov (West) | Cherno More (East), Lokomotiv Mezdra (West) | Spartak Varna, Rilski Sportist Samokov, Cherno More (playoff) | East/West split introduced. |
| 2006–07 | Chernomorets Burgas (East), Pirin Blagoevgrad (West) | Sliven (East), Lokomotiv Mezdra (West) | Chernomorets Burgas, Pirin Blagoevgrad | Regional groups active. |
| 2007–08 | Sliven (East), Lokomotiv Mezdra (West) | Spartak Varna (East), Vihren Sandanski (West) | Sliven, Lokomotiv Mezdra | No playoffs used. |
| 2008–09 | Beroe Stara Zagora (East), Montana 2002 (West) | Nesebar (East), Sportist Svoge (West) | Beroe Stara Zagora, Montana 2002, Sportist Svoge (playoff) | Beroe wins third title. |
| 2009–10 | Sportist Svoge (East), Montana 2002 (West) | Lyubimets 2007, Shumen 2010 | Sportist Svoge, Montana 2002, Akademik Sofia (playoff) | East/West split; playoff for third spot. |
| 2010–11 | Ludogorets Razgrad (East), Sportist Svoge (West) | Botev Vratsa, Sozopol | Ludogorets Razgrad, Sportist Svoge, Botev Vratsa (playoff) | Ludogorets' first second-tier title. |
| 2011–12 | Montana 2002 (East), Pirin Gotse Delchev (West) | Bansko, Botev Vratsa | Montana 2002, Pirin Gotse Delchev, Botev Vratsa (playoff) | Playoff controversy with Botev Vratsa. |
| 2012–13 | Etar Veliko Tarnovo (East), Pirin Gotse Delchev (West) | Botev Plovdiv, Haskovo | Etar Veliko Tarnovo, Pirin Gotse Delchev, Botev Plovdiv (playoff) | Final East/West season; Botev promoted via playoff.[42] |
| 2013–14 | Marek Dupnitsa | Haskovo | Marek Dupnitsa, Haskovo, Lyubimets 2007 | Single national group established.[42] |
| 2014–15 | Montana | Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa | Montana, Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa, Botev Vratsa (playoff) | Three promoted.[42] |
| 2015–16 | Dunav Ruse | Vitosha Bistritsa | Dunav Ruse, Vitosha Bistritsa | Standard two-team promotion.[42] |
Second Professional era (2016–present)
The league adopted its current name in 2016, with direct promotion for the champion and playoffs for additional spots. Beroe Stara Zagora holds the record with 9 titles overall in the professional era.| Season | Champion | Runners-up | Promoted teams | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | Etar Veliko Tarnovo | Botev Vratsa | Etar Veliko Tarnovo, Botev Vratsa | Rebranding to Second Professional League.[42] |
| 2017–18 | Botev Vratsa | Lokomotiv Sofia | Botev Vratsa, Lokomotiv Sofia (playoff) | Botev Vratsa promoted after playoff win.[48] |
| 2018–19 | Tsarsko Selo Sofia | Montana | Tsarsko Selo Sofia, Montana, Arda Kardzhali (playoff) | Three teams advanced. |
| 2019–20 | CSKA 1948 Sofia | Septemvri Sofia | CSKA 1948 Sofia | Season cancelled due to COVID-19; CSKA 1948 declared champion based on standings.[49] |
| 2020–21 | Pirin Blagoevgrad | Cherno More Varna | Pirin Blagoevgrad, Cherno More Varna | Shortened season due to pandemic.[50] |
| 2021–22 | Septemvri Sofia | Spartak Varna | Septemvri Sofia, Spartak Varna | Septemvri promoted directly.[42] |
| 2022–23 | CSKA 1948 Sofia II | Spartak Pleven | CSKA 1948 Sofia II, Spartak Pleven | Reserve team champion; ineligible for promotion.[43] |
| 2023–24 | Spartak Varna | Septemvri Sofia | Spartak Varna, Septemvri Sofia | Spartak returns to top flight.[43] |
| 2024–25 | Dobrudzha Dobrich | Spartak Varna | Dobrudzha Dobrich, Spartak Varna (playoff) | Dobrudzha's second title; promotion via standings and playoff (as of 2025).[43] |