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Cyprus League by Stoiximan
Founded1934; 91 years ago (1934)
CountryCyprus
ConfederationUEFA
Number of clubs14
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toCypriot 2nd Division
Domestic cups
International cup(s)UEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa League
UEFA Conference League
Current championsPafos (1st title)
(2024–25)
Most championshipsAPOEL
(29 titles)
Top scorerSotiris Kaiafas (1967–1984)
(261 goals)
Broadcaster(s)Cytavision
Cablenet
Websitewww.cfa.com.cy Edit this at Wikidata
Current: 2025–26 Cypriot First Division

The Cypriot First Division (Greek: Πρωτάθλημα Α΄ Κατηγορίας), also known as the Cyprus League by Stoiximan for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Cyprus and the highest level of the Cypriot football league system. Operated by the Cyprus Football Association,[1] the league is contested by fourteen teams and runs from August to May, with the three lowest-placed teams being relegated to the Cypriot Second Division, and replaced by the top three teams in that division.

History

[edit]

Football was introduced to Cyprus early in the 20th century by the British. Initially played in the island's schools, it proved hugely popular and a number of clubs were duly formed.

Anorthosis Famagusta FC was founded in 1911, after which many other clubs were established. In 1932, the annual Cypriot Championship began, at first unofficially. Every season, the championship was organised by a different football club, which caused conflict among some of the teams.

As football became more established, the clubs were united in agreeing that an official body was needed to regulate the sport. In September 1934, the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) was formed and the Cypriot Championship and Cup began to take place annually.[2] The first Champions of Cyprus were Trust in 1935, but the club folded three years later. The 1930s were dominated by APOEL, who won five championships in a row until 1940. Like other championships throughout the world, the Cypriot Championship was interrupted due to World War II from 1941 until 1945.[citation needed]

In 1955, Çetinkaya Türk S.K., who had been the only Turkish Cypriot team playing in the Cypriot First Division since 1934–35, withdrew from the Championship and, along with other Turkish Cypriot teams, established the Cyprus Turkish Football Association, with its own competitions. The reason behind this was political, as the Turkish Cypriots were opposed to the anticolonial struggle of EOKA and union with Greece (enosis). However, this federation was never recognised, and none of its teams was permitted to play in international competitions.

Cypriot independence in 1960 was followed by full UEFA membership for the Cyprus Football Association in 1962. From 1963, the champions of Cyprus could compete in the European Cup and the Cup winners in the European Cup Winners Cup. The runners-up in the Greek Cypriot First Division began to compete in the UEFA Cup in 1971. From 1967 until 1974, the Greek Cypriot Champions were promoted to the Greek First National Division. Greek Cypriot teams were relegated every season from the Alpha Ethniki, apart from 1973–74, when APOEL managed to remain in the Greek Championship, which meant that Cyprus would have two teams in Greek top tier. However, due to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus that year, APOEL and Omonia (the 1973–74 Cypriot champions) withdrew from the League.[citation needed]

From the beginning of the 2000's, the Cypriot First Division started to improve in quality which leaded to some surprising runs to the Champions League by teams like Anorthosis Famagusta, APOEL Nicosia and most recently Paphos. The Cyprus national team couldn't benefit from this success, as most game time among most teams in the Cypriot First Division go to foreign players.

Format

[edit]

Current format

[edit]

As of the 2022-23 season, 14 clubs compete in the league, and are ranked based on the point system described below. Each club plays the other sides twice, home and away, for a total of 26 games for each club. This is referred to as the first round of the league. In the second round, the teams are divided into two groups; the teams ranked 1st to 6th play off for the title and European spots in Group A, while the bottom eight teams battle to avoid relegation in Group B. Group A is often referred to as the Championship Play-offs, while Group B is referred to as the Relegation Play-offs. Each team's points and criteria, such as goal difference, goals scored, etc. are retained during the transition from first to second round. Similarly to the first round, every club plays the other sides twice, for a total of 10 or 14 games for each club, in Group A and Group B respectively.

At the end of the second round, the club ranked 1st in Group A is declared the winner of the league. The champion qualifies for the UEFA Champions League, while the second and third placed teams enter the UEFA Europa Conference League. If the cup winners finish in third or above, the fourth placed team also enters the UEFA Europa Conference League. Meanwhile, the bottom three teams in Group B are relegated to the Second Division.

Previous formats

[edit]

From 2007–08 until 2012–13 season, in the second round, the first 12 (out of 14) teams were separated into three groups of four teams according to their position at the end of the first round. For the 2013–14 season, in the second round, the first 12 (out of 14) teams were separated into two groups of six teams according to their position at the end of the first round. The last two teams of the first round were relegated directly to the B1 Division and the bottom two teams of the relegation group also. The points from the first round were carried to the second round and the teams played each other twice.[citation needed]

Point system

[edit]

The point system of the Cypriot First Division has changed throughout the years:

  1. From 1934–35 until 1959–60, teams were awarded two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.[3]
  2. From 1960–61 until 1969–70, teams were awarded three points for a win, two points for a draw and one point for a defeat.[3]
  3. From 1970–71 until 1990–91, teams were awarded two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.[4]
  4. Since the 1991–92 season, teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.[5]

In the event that two or more teams have the same amount of points, they are ranked based on:

  1. Points gained in games between the teams, in both rounds.
  2. Goal difference in games between the teams, in both rounds.
  3. Most away goals scored in games between the teams, in both rounds.
  4. Goal difference across all games, in both rounds.
  5. Most goals scored across all games, in both rounds.

2025–26 Clubs

[edit]
Club Location 2024–25 season
AEK Larnaca Larnaca 3rd
AEL Limassol Limassol 8th
Akritas Chlorakas Chloraka, Pafos 3rd in Second Division
Anorthosis Famagusta 7th
APOEL Nicosia 5th
Apollon Limassol Limassol 6th
Aris Limassol 2nd
Enosis Neon Paralimni Paralimni, Famagusta 11th
Ethnikos Achnas Achna, Famagusta 9th
Krasava ENY Ypsonas Ypsonas, Limassol 1st in Second Division
Olympiakos Nicosia Nicosia 2nd in Second Division
Omonia Aradippou Aradippou, Larnaca 10th
Omonia Nicosia 4th
Pafos FC Paphos 1st

Champions

[edit]
Tournament Season Winners[6][7] (number of titles) Runners-up of tournament
1934–35 Trust (1) Çetinkaya Türk
1935–36 APOEL (1) Trust
1936–37 APOEL (2)
1937–38 APOEL (3)
1938–39 APOEL (4) EPA Larnaca
1939–40 APOEL (5) Pezoporikos Larnaca
1940–41 AEL Limassol (1) APOEL
1941–44 Suspended due to World War II
1944–45 EPA Larnaca (1) APOEL
1945–46 EPA Larnaca (2)
1946–47 APOEL (6) EPA Larnaca
1947–48 APOEL (7) AEL Limassol
1948–49 APOEL (8) Anorthosis Famagusta
1949–50 Anorthosis Famagusta (1) EPA Larnaca
1950–51 Çetinkaya Türk (1) APOEL
1951–52 APOEL (9) EPA Larnaca
1952–53 AEL Limassol (2) Pezoporikos Larnaca
1953–54 Pezoporikos Larnaca (1) APOEL
1954–55 AEL Limassol (3) Pezoporikos Larnaca
1955–56 AEL Limassol (4) APOEL
1956–57 Anorthosis Famagusta (2) Pezoporikos Larnaca
1957–58 Anorthosis Famagusta (3)
1958–59 Not held
1959–60 Anorthosis Famagusta (4) Omonia
1960–61 Omonia (1) Anorthosis Famagusta
1961–62 Anorthosis Famagusta (5) Omonia
1962–63 Anorthosis Famagusta (6) APOEL
1963–64 Championship abandoned
1964–65 APOEL (10) Olympiakos Nicosia
1965–66 Omonia (2)
1966–67 Olympiakos Nicosia (1) APOEL
1967–68 AEL Limassol (5) Omonia
1968–69 Olympiakos Nicosia (2)
1969–70 EPA Larnaca (3) Pezoporikos Larnaca
1970–71 Olympiakos Nicosia (3) Digenis Morphou
1971–72 Omonia (3) EPA Larnaca
1972–73 APOEL (11) Olympiakos Nicosia
1973–74 Omonia (4) Pezoporikos Larnaca
1974–75 Omonia (5) Enosis Neon Paralimni
1975–76 Omonia (6) APOEL
1976–77 Omonia (7)
1977–78 Omonia (8)
1978–79 Omonia (9)
1979–80 APOEL (12) Omonia
1980–81 Omonia (10) APOEL
1981–82 Omonia (11) Pezoporikos Larnaca
1982–83 Omonia (12) Anorthosis Famagusta
1983–84 Omonia (13) Apollon Limassol
1984–85 Omonia (14) APOEL
1985–86 APOEL (13) Omonia
1986–87 Omonia (15) APOEL
1987–88 Pezoporikos Larnaca (2) APOEL
1988–89 Omonia (16) Apollon Limassol
1989–90 APOEL (14) Omonia
1990–91 Apollon Limassol (1) Anorthosis Famagusta
1991–92 APOEL (15)
1992–93 Omonia (17) Apollon Limassol
1993–94 Apollon Limassol (2) Anorthosis Famagusta
1994–95 Anorthosis Famagusta (7) Omonia
1995–96 APOEL (16) Anorthosis Famagusta
1996–97 Anorthosis Famagusta (8) Apollon Limassol
1997–98 Anorthosis Famagusta (9) Omonia
1998–99 Anorthosis Famagusta (10)
1999–2000 Anorthosis Famagusta (11)
2000–01 Omonia (18) Olympiakos Nicosia
2001–02 APOEL (17) Anorthosis Famagusta
2002–03 Omonia (19)
2003–04 APOEL (18) Omonia
2004–05 Anorthosis Famagusta (12) APOEL
2005–06 Apollon Limassol (3) Omonia
2006–07 APOEL (19)
2007–08 Anorthosis Famagusta (13) APOEL
2008–09 APOEL (20) Omonia
2009–10 Omonia (20) APOEL
2010–11 APOEL (21) Omonia
2011–12 AEL Limassol (6) APOEL
2012–13 APOEL (22) Anorthosis Famagusta
2013–14 APOEL (23) AEL Limassol
2014–15 APOEL (24) AEK Larnaca
2015–16 APOEL (25)
2016–17 APOEL (26)
2017–18 APOEL (27) Apollon Limassol
2018–19 APOEL (28) AEK Larnaca
2019–20 Championship cancelled
2020–21 Omonia (21) Apollon Limassol
2021–22 Apollon Limassol (4) AEK Larnaca
2022–23 Aris Limassol (1) APOEL
2023–24 APOEL (29) AEK Larnaca
2024–25 Pafos (1) Aris Limassol

Performance by club

[edit]
Titles won by club (%)
  1. APOEL – 29 (34.1%)
  2. Omonia – 21 (24.7%)
  3. Anorthosis – 13 (15.3%)
  4. AEL Limassol – 6 (7.06%)
  5. Apollon Limassol – 4 (4.71%)
  6. EPA Larnaca – 3 (3.53%)
  7. Olympiakos Nicosia – 3 (3.53%)
  8. Pezoporikos Larnaca – 2 (2.35%)
  9. Other teams – 4 (4.71%)
Club Winners Runners-up Winning seasons
APOEL 29 21 1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1951–52, 1964–65, 1972–73, 1979–80, 1985–86, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1995–96, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2023–24
Omonia 21 16 1960–61, 1965–66, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1992–93, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2009–10, 2020–21
Anorthosis 13 10 1949–50, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2004–05, 2007–08
AEL Limassol 6 2 1940–41, 1952–53, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1967–68, 2011–12
Apollon Limassol 4 6 1990–91, 1993–94, 2005–06, 2021–22
EPA Larnaca 3 5 1944–45, 1945–46, 1969–70
Olympiakos Nicosia 3 4 1966–67, 1968–69, 1970–71
Pezoporikos 2 8 1953–54, 1987–88
Trust 1 3 1934–35
Aris Limassol 1 1 2022–23
Çetinkaya Türk 1 1 1950–51
Pafos 1 — 2024–25
AEK Larnaca — 6 –
Digenis Morphou — 1 –
Enosis Neon Paralimni — 1 –

Appearances in the top division

[edit]

The below table indicates the total number of seasons each club has participated in the Cypriot First Division, up to and including the 2023/24 season.[8]

45 teams have played at least one season in First Division.

Teams in bold are participating in the 2024-25 Cypriot First Division.

Team Participations
APOEL Nicosia 83
AEL Limassol 83
Anorthosis Famagusta 78
Olympiakos Nicosia 71
Omonia Nicosia 68
Apollon Limassol 65
Nea Salamina Famagusta 61
Aris Limassol 56
EPA Larnaca 50
Enosis Neon Paralimni 50
Pezoporikos Larnaca 49
Team Participations
Alki Larnaca 43
Ethnikos Achna 35
AEK Larnaca 29
APOP Paphos 19
Doxa Katokopias 20
Çetinkaya Türk 18
Evagoras Paphos 18
Digenis Akritas Morphou 15
Ermis Aradippou 14
Omonia Aradippou 13
AYMA 11
Team Participations
AEP Paphos 10
ASIL Lysi 8
Anagennisi Dherynia 7
APEP Pitsilia 7
Pafos 8
APOP Kinyras Pegeia 5
Ayia Napa 4
Keravnos Strovolou 4
Orfeas Nicosia 4
Trast AC 4
Ethnikos Assia 3
Team Participations
Karmiotissa Pano Polemidia 4
AEZ Zakakiou 3
Alki Oroklini 2
Chalkanoras Idaliou 2
AEK Kouklia 1
Akritas Chlorakas 1
Atromitos Yeroskipou 1
Onisilos Sotira 1
Othellos Athienou 2
PAEEK 1
THOI Lakatamia 1
PAC Omonia 29M 0
  • The 1963–64 Cypriot First Division, where the championship was abandoned, is not included in the table.
  • Çetinkaya's total includes 12 when competing as Lefkosa Turk Spor Kulubu
  • APEP Pitsilia total includes one as APEP Limassol

All-time Cypriot First Division table (1934–35 until 2017–18)

[edit]

The All-time Cypriot First Division table is a ranking of all Cypriot football clubs based on their performance in the Cypriot First Division.[9] The points are the sum of the points of all seasons, despite the point system of the season. The 1963–64 Cypriot First Division season is not included because the championship was abandoned.

Rank Club Ssn Points GP W D L GF GA GD
1 APOEL FC 77 3227 1785 1072 382 331 4001 1787 2072
2 AC Omonia 62 3021 1628 1005 331 292 3536 1552 1984
3 Anorthosis Famagusta FC 72 2910 1777 896 447 434 3218 2044 1175
4 Apollon Limassol 59 2468 1589 722 415 452 2691 1946 745
5 AEL Limassol 77 2435 1791 740 440 611 2922 2486 436
6 Nea Salamis Famagusta FC 56 1790 1467 490 381 596 2026 2224 -198
7 Olympiakos Nicosia 67 1688 1501 496 360 645 2243 2775 -532
8 Enosis Neon Paralimni FC 46 1459 1253 426 365 462 1663 1699 -36
9 Pezoporikos Larnaca FC 49 1432 1062 444 318 300 1719 1326 393
10 Aris Limassol FC 53 1287 1311 329 324 658 1668 2648 -980
11 EPA Larnaca FC 50 1222 1052 362 277 413 1570 1641 -71
12 Alki Larnaca FC 43 1202 1128 309 284 535 1400 1986 -586
13 Ethnikos Achna FC 31 1078 895 296 219 380 1201 1370 -169
14 AEK Larnaca FC 23 1039 675 295 154 226 1100 876 224
15 Doxa Katokopias FC 14 419 434 108 95 231 503 848 -345
16 APOP Paphos FC 19 406 502 105 126 271 501 1007 -506
17 Evagoras Paphos 18 371 480 90 136 254 431 906 -475
18 Ermis Aradippou FC 12 353 374 94 75 205 402 767 -365
19 Digenis Akritas Morphou FC 15 339 396 94 110 192 397 690 -293
20 AEP Paphos FC 10 315 278 81 72 125 376 478 -102
21 Omonia Aradippou 13 232 357 64 92 201 315 686 -371
22 Çetinkaya Türk S.K. 18 189 209 77 35 97 393 503 -110
23 ASIL Lysi 8 180 198 37 40 121 169 430 -261
24 APOP Kinyras FC 5 161 148 44 29 75 201 275 -74
25 Orfeas Nicosia 4 134 90 24 16 50 110 180 -70
26 Anagennisi Deryneia FC 7 123 186 31 35 120 163 409 -247
27 Armenian Young Men's Association 11 121 176 23 27 126 256 593 -337
28 APEP FC 7 101 192 25 34 133 158 460 -302
29 Keravnos Strovolou FC 4 84 108 28 28 52 111 167 -56
30 Pafos FC 2 78 72 19 21 32 77 109 -32
31 Enosis Neon Trust 4 68 44 30 8 6 129 54 75
32 Ayia Napa FC 4 64 110 12 28 70 90 218 -128
33 Ethnikos Assia FC 3 60 78 17 9 52 102 184 -82
34 Chalkanoras Idaliou 2 43 60 16 11 33 59 116 -57
35 Alki Oroklini 1 39 36 11 6 19 48 73 -25
36 Karmiotissa FC 1 37 36 10 7 19 47 71 -24
37 Othellos Athienou FC 1 25 32 5 10 17 26 42 -16
38 AEK Kouklia FC 1 23 36 6 5 25 34 94 -60
39 Onisilos Sotira 1 13 26 3 4 19 22 63 -41
40 AEZ Zakakiou 1 11 26 1 8 17 20 63 -43
41 Atromitos Yeroskipou 1 7 26 1 4 21 19 69 -50
42 Enosis Neon THOI Lakatamia 1 7 26 1 4 21 15 75 -60

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cypriot First Division

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Cypriot First Division, commercially branded as the Cyprus League by Stoiximan, is the premier professional association football league in Cyprus, featuring 14 clubs under the governance of the Cyprus Football Association and running from August to May each year. In its structure, teams play a double round-robin regular season of 26 matches, after which the league splits into a top group of six for the championship playoff (adding 10 matches) and a bottom group of eight for the relegation playoff (adding 14 matches), with points carried over; the champion advances to the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, while second and third place secure spots in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, and the three lowest finishers are relegated to the Second Division. Established in 1934, the competition has been characterized by dominance from a select group of clubs, particularly APOEL Nicosia with a record 29 titles as of recent seasons, reflecting entrenched competitive advantages in Cypriot football. A landmark achievement occurred in the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League, when APOEL progressed to the quarter-finals—the deepest run by any Cypriot side in major European tournaments—after topping a group with Porto, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Shakhtar Donetsk, before elimination by Real Madrid. The league's early development was disrupted by ethnic political tensions, culminating in the withdrawal of Turkish Cypriot teams in 1955, which has contributed to its ongoing operation within the Greek Cypriot community amid Cyprus's divided status.

History

Founding and early years (1934–1960)

The (CFA) was founded on 23 September 1934 by eight clubs—AEL Limassol, Anorthosis Famagusta, APOEL, Aris Limassol, EPA Larnaca, , Orfeas Nicosia, and Lefkoşa Türk Spor Kulübü—to formalize and govern organized football amid growing popularity from school and friendly matches since the early . The association immediately established the Cypriot Championship, recognized as the First Division, with the inaugural season commencing on 2 December 1934 alongside a cup competition. Initial participation involved six to eight teams, reflecting the founding clubs' base, competing in a single round-robin format under British colonial administration, which imposed logistical constraints like limited travel infrastructure. The early league awarded two points for a victory and one for a draw, a system maintained through the 1959–60 season, emphasizing competitive balance in an era of amateur play dominated by and Limassol-based teams. APOEL secured multiple titles in and , underscoring the concentration of talent in urban centers, while disruptions from suspended competitions intermittently between 1940 and 1945. Ethnic representation included the Turkish Cypriot founding club, which participated until broader withdrawals amid rising intercommunal tensions; by 1955, , the sole remaining Turkish Cypriot entrant since the league's inception, exited the championship, reducing ethnic diversity in the division. Postwar resumption saw steady expansion, with the CFA gaining membership in 1948, enabling the Cypriot national team's debut international match in 1949 against . By 1960, coinciding with Cyprus's independence from Britain, the First Division had solidified as the island's premier competition, featuring 10–12 teams annually and fostering rivalries that mirrored societal divisions, though without professional structures or significant foreign influence until later decades.

Post-independence expansion (1960–1990)

Following 's independence on 16 August 1960, the First Division experienced initial structural growth, expanding to 13 participating teams for the 1960–61 season from 10 teams in 1957–58, reflecting increased club participation amid national stabilization. won the championship that year, defeating APOEL 3–1 in a playoff after finishing level on points. The Cyprus Football Association's admission as a full member on 4 May 1962 enabled Cypriot champions to enter continental competitions, with APOEL representing the league in the preliminary round, marking the start of regular European exposure that elevated domestic standards and attracted greater investment in player development. The league format during the 1960s stabilized around 12–13 teams in a double round-robin system awarding two points per win, fostering competitive balance among established clubs like APOEL, Omonia, Anorthosis , and . Omonia dominated with titles in 1960–61, 1964–65, 1965–66, and 1966–67, while APOEL secured back-to-back wins in 1962–63 and 1963–64; this era saw average match attendances rise to several thousand, driven by growing fan bases and improved organization under CFA oversight. By the early 1970s, the division featured 12 teams, as in the 1969–70 season won by . The 1974 Turkish invasion profoundly disrupted operations, displacing clubs from northern cities like —Anorthosis and Nea Salamis relocated to and Aradippou, respectively—leading to withdrawals and a reduced 1974–75 season with only 11 teams after several northern-based sides ceased participation. This effectively consolidated competition in government-controlled areas, preserving league continuity while integrating relocated teams, which bolstered southern club depth without formal expansion. The format reverted to a full schedule by 1975–76, with Omonia reclaiming dominance through nine titles from 1970–71 to 1989–90. Into the 1980s, the division expanded to a consistent 14 teams, as seen in the 1980–81 season won by Omonia, incorporating promoted sides from the Second Division amid infrastructure upgrades like the GSP Stadium's completion in 1997 precursors and enhanced youth academies. European campaigns yielded modest results—Omonia's 1983–84 Cup Winners' Cup run to the second round against Porto represented a high point—but spurred tactical modernization and foreign scouting, with average goals per match hovering around 2.5–3.0. This period solidified the "Big Four" (APOEL, Omonia, Anorthosis, AEK Larnaca) as perennial contenders, winning 24 of 30 titles from 1960–61 to 1989–90.

Modern era and professionalization (1990–present)

The 1990s marked a period of consolidation for the Cypriot First Division, with the league maintaining 14 teams and witnessing titles shared among established clubs such as (1990–91, 1993–94), APOEL (1991–92, 1995–96), Omonia (1992–93), and Anorthosis Famagusta (1994–95, 1996–97). This era saw the adoption of the three-points-for-a-win system starting in the 1991–92 season, replacing the prior two-points model to promote more dynamic gameplay in line with broader European trends. Professionalization began accelerating through greater reliance on international transfers, enabling clubs to bolster squads with experienced foreign players amid rising competition revenues. Into the 2000s and 2010s, European campaigns elevated the league's profile, exemplified by APOEL's unprecedented run to the quarter-finals, where they defeated 1–0 in the round of 16 second leg and advanced past on away goals after a 2–2 aggregate. Such achievements generated financial inflows via prize money and TV rights, funding infrastructure upgrades and full-time professional contracts for top clubs. The league format evolved with a split system post-regular season—typically after 26 matches, dividing into a six-team championship group and an eight-team relegation group—to intensify late-season stakes and address concerns over competitiveness and match-fixing, as proposed in (CFA) reforms around 2013. A 2022 CFA benchmarking report highlighted gains in attendance and income, alongside debuts of five new top-tier clubs since 2008, signaling expanded participation despite persistent financial disparities among teams. The 2020s have reflected further professional maturation, with the influx of foreign talent reaching 70.8% of players (foreign-born) in the 2022–23 season—the highest rate globally—allowing clubs to compete at higher intensities but raising questions about domestic development. Title diversity increased, as Aris claimed their first championship in 57 years in 2022–23, followed by Pafos FC's inaugural win in 2024–25, qualifying them for the 2025–26 group stage. Ongoing CFA efforts, including pushes for privately owned stadiums and structural reforms, aim to mitigate corruption and instability, fostering sustainable growth amid improvements.

Governance and Organization

Cyprus Football Association oversight

The (CFA), founded in September 1934, acts as the national governing body for in and exercises direct oversight over the Cypriot First Division, the premier professional league comprising 14 teams that operates from August to May each season. The CFA structures the competition across four divisions, each with 14 clubs, while managing fixtures, match scheduling, and qualification pathways for European tournaments through its affiliations with (joined 1948) and (joined 1962). Club licensing falls under CFA authority, enforced via the CFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, which mandate compliance in areas such as sporting, infrastructure, personnel, administrative, legal, and financial criteria to ensure league stability and eligibility for . For the 2025–26 season, all First Division participants, including , , , and others, passed the CFA's review process and secured licenses by May 2025, averting potential sanctions. Disciplinary governance is handled by CFA committees, including the Disciplinary Committee for initial sanctions on violations like match-fixing, player misconduct, and fan violence, and the Appeals Committee for reviews. In 2023, the Appeals Committee overturned life bans imposed on two players accused of match-fixing involvement, following union advocacy for . To combat , the CFA integrated UEFA's three-step protocol into its rules in August 2025, requiring referees to pause matches for announcements, abandon if necessary, and impose automatic forfeits or fines for persistent offenses. The CFA's Executive Committee and oversee these bodies, with recent leadership changes including the election of Haris Loizides as chairman on June 24, 2025. Integrity efforts have included responses to match-fixing allegations; in 2015, the CFA president publicly acknowledged potential widespread issues in the First Division following a probe, prompting internal investigations and sanctions. Despite persistent claims of from clubs and politicians, the CFA maintains for contract disputes and collaborates with police on security, as reiterated in August 2024 ahead of the season.

Sponsorship, licensing, and financial structure

The Cypriot First Division operates under a sponsorship model where the (CFA) secures and other commercial partnerships for the league as a whole, while individual clubs pursue their own sponsorship deals. Since the 2024–25 season, the league has been officially known as the Cyprus League by Stoiximan following a three-year agreement with Stoiximan, a of Kaizen Gaming, which extends the CFA's existing sponsorship ties with the betting operator. This deal builds on prior CFA collaborations with Stoiximan, emphasizing commercial revenue generation amid the league's reliance on such partnerships to supplement limited matchday and broadcasting income. Club-level sponsorships vary, with prominent examples including Meridianbet's record deal with in 2024 and IC Markets' extension as AEL's gold sponsor through 2027, often focusing on shirt and stadium branding to offset operational costs. Club licensing is administered by the CFA in alignment with standards, requiring all First Division participants to obtain an annual license demonstrating compliance across sporting, infrastructure, personnel, legal, and financial criteria to ensure eligibility for domestic and European competitions. Financial requirements mandate the submission of audited , proof of no overdue payables to employees, social/tax authorities, or clubs (with thresholds such as €500,000 for tax debts), and adherence to financial fair play principles to prevent risks. For the 2025–26 season, all 14 First Division clubs successfully met these criteria by May 23, 2025, despite ongoing scrutiny over outstanding state debts, highlighting enforcement flexibility where clubs provided repayment plans rather than full clearance. The CFA's Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations, updated periodically (e.g., 2023 edition), integrate benchmarks, including solvency assessments and future financial projections, to promote stability, though critics note persistent vulnerabilities due to lax debt tolerances. The league's financial structure centers on centralized revenue distribution by the CFA, with clubs deriving primary income from pooled television rights, sponsorships, and gate receipts, supplemented by prize money for qualifiers and solidarity payments from betting levies. Television deals have historically generated €12 million annually as of , constituting 20–25% of clubs' budgets and enabling growth from earlier modest figures, though exact recent distributions remain opaque and unevenly allocated based on performance and historical shares. Overall club finances reveal structural fragility, with First Division teams collectively owing €35.6 million to the state in tax and arrears as of —predominantly pre-2021 debts—prompting government repayment schedules amid licensing approvals that prioritize plans over immediate . The CFA derives income from management fees (e.g., €100,000 per club annually) and commercial rights, but the absence of a fully independent league entity limits revenue optimization, as evidenced by proposals for devolved TV and sponsorship control to enhance . This model sustains operations but perpetuates cycles of debt, with average club revenues skewed toward media and sponsors rather than diversified commercial streams.

Competition Format

Current format and regulations (since 2015)

Since the 2015–16 season, the Cypriot First Division has featured 14 teams in a split format overseen by the , with the season spanning from August to May. The initial league phase consists of a double round-robin among all 14 clubs, with each team playing 26 matches (13 home, 13 away). Points from this phase—three for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss—carry forward to the , with tiebreakers determined first by , then goals scored, head-to-head results, and away goals if necessary. After the 26-match league phase, teams are divided based on standings: the top six enter the Championship Group, while the bottom eight form the Relegation Group. In the Championship Group, the six teams play each other twice (), adding 10 matches per club; the highest-point total at the conclusion crowns the season's champion, who qualifies for preliminaries, with runners-up and third place advancing to UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers subject to coefficient rankings. The Relegation Group sees its eight teams contest a double round-robin (14 additional matches each), with carried-over points deciding final positions. The three lowest finishers are directly relegated to the Second Division, while promotion from the Second Division supplies three teams (two direct, one via playoff) to maintain the 14-team structure. All matches adhere to standard Laws of the Game, with the association enforcing licensing criteria for participation, including financial stability and infrastructure standards.

Evolution of formats and rule changes

The points system of the initially awarded two points for a win and one for a draw from the league's inception in the 1934–35 season until 1959–60. This was replaced by the modern three-points-for-a-win system starting in the 1992–93 season, aligning with broader European trends to incentivize attacking play and reduce draws. A phased format was introduced in the 2007–08 season, featuring a regular double round-robin among all teams followed by a second round where the top 12 were split into three groups of four based on regular-season standings, with group winners contesting for the title. This evolved into a split-season structure by the , typically involving a first phase of double round-robin matches, then division into and relegation groups for the remaining fixtures, aiming to heighten intensity and reduce fixture congestion. The league's structure has shown instability in recent years, with the format changing five times and the number of teams fluctuating four times between the 2011–12 and 2020–21 seasons—alternating between 12 teams (e.g., 2014–15, 2018–19) and 14 teams (e.g., 2011–12 to 2013–14, 2015–16 to 2017–18). The prompted exceptional rules, including no relegation in 2019–20 due to early termination and four relegation spots in 2020–21 to address disruptions and expand the second division. Since the 2021–22 season, the standard format has stabilized at 14 teams, with a 26-match double round-robin first phase followed by splits into a six-team championship group (for title and European qualification contention) and an eight-team relegation group, where the bottom two teams typically face direct relegation and against second-division sides. These adjustments reflect efforts by the to balance competitiveness, financial sustainability, and alignment with guidelines amid varying club capacities.

Relegation, promotion, and qualification criteria

The Cypriot First Division employs a split-season format with 14 participating teams. Each team plays a double round-robin schedule over 26 matches in the initial phase. Standings after this phase determine the division into a championship group (top six teams) and a relegation group (bottom eight teams), with points carried forward. In the championship group, teams play each other twice for an additional 10 matches, deciding the league title. In the relegation group, teams play each other once for seven additional matches, primarily to determine survival. Relegation is determined by the final positions in the relegation group: the bottom three teams descend directly to the , which operates as the second tier with 16 teams. There are no promotion-relegation between the divisions. Promotion to the First Division is awarded directly to the top three finishers in the Second Division's standings at season's end. For European qualification, the league champion earns entry to the second qualifying round. The winner of the qualifies for the first qualifying round. The league runners-up secure a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round, while the third-placed team enters the Conference League first qualifying round. If the cup winner has already qualified via league position, the Europa League spot passes to the highest-ranked league team not otherwise qualified, with subsequent adjustments for Conference League allocations per UEFA's access list for Cyprus's coefficient ranking.

Points allocation and dispute resolution

In the Cypriot First Division, teams receive three points for a league victory, one point for a draw, and zero points for a defeat. This scoring system has been standard since the 1992–93 season, aligning with UEFA-influenced reforms to incentivize attacking play over draws. Prior to 1992–93, the league used a two-points-for-a-win model without awarding points for draws (from 1960–61 to 1991–92), and earlier (1934–35 to 1959–60), it granted two points for wins and one for draws. These changes reflect broader European trends toward maximizing competitive balance and goal output. For resolving ties in final standings, the primary criterion is the head-to-head record among tied teams, with priority given to points earned in those mutual fixtures. If head-to-head points remain equal, further tiebreakers such as goal difference in head-to-head matches or overall season are applied sequentially, as overseen by the to ensure objective ranking determination.

Participating Clubs

Clubs in the 2025–26 season

The 2025–26 , officially titled the League by Stoiximan for sponsorship purposes, comprises 14 clubs competing in a double round-robin format during the initial phase. The announced the participants on June 14, 2025, with the season commencing on August 23–24, 2025, and concluding on May 23–24, 2026. As of February 2026, the season is ongoing, with the regular season in progress. The clubs, listed in alphabetical order, are: Among these, , , and ascended from the Second Division, replacing the two teams relegated at the conclusion of the 2024–25 season. The draw for fixtures occurred on July 17, 2025.

Historical clubs, mergers, and dissolutions

was established on May 24, 1994, through the merger of EPA Larnaca FC, founded in 1930 and a three-time league champion, and , founded in 1927 and a two-time champion, both of which ceased independent operations following the amalgamation to form a unified club capable of competing more effectively in domestic and European competitions. In Paphos, and , both long-standing local rivals with histories dating to the mid-20th century, merged prior to the 2000–01 season to create , allowing the new entity to secure a place in the First Division amid financial pressures and inconsistent top-flight presence for the predecessor clubs. This merged club, however, faced ongoing viability challenges and combined with on June 9, 2014, to establish , which assumed AEP's Second Division spot and has since risen to prominence, including winning the 2024–25 First Division title. Dissolutions have primarily stemmed from chronic financial mismanagement and insolvency, as seen with Alki Larnaca FC, a club founded in 1948 that reached the First Division and competed until relegation, but declared bankruptcy on May 6, 2014, after accumulating unsustainable debts, effectively ending its operations despite a dedicated fanbase. Earlier clubs like Trast AC, one of the original participants in the league's formative years post-1932, also faded due to organizational failures, though records of such pre-independence dissolutions are less documented amid the league's amateur origins. Mergers and closures reflect broader patterns in Cypriot football, where smaller or debt-laden teams consolidate to survive amid limited revenue streams, UEFA licensing demands, and economic constraints in a small market.

Records and Achievements

Championship titles and multiple winners

APOEL holds the record for the most Cypriot First Division championships with 29 titles, spanning from 1935–36 to 2023–24. Omonia ranks second with 21 titles, achieved between 1960–61 and 2020–21. Anorthosis has secured 13 championships, its last in 2007–08. Several other clubs have won multiple titles, though none exceed six. claimed six, most recently in 2011–12, while Apollon Limassol has four, including 2021–22. and EPA Larnaca each hold three titles, and Pezoporikos Larnaca has two, one of which was shared in 1987–88. The distribution reflects the historical dominance of clubs from , home to the league's two most successful teams, which together account for over half of all championships since 1934–35.
ClubNumber of Titles
APOEL Nicosia29
Omonia Nicosia21
Anorthosis Famagusta13
6
Apollon Limassol4
EPA Larnaca3
3
Pezoporikos Larnaca2

All-time performance rankings

The all-time performance rankings in the Cypriot First Division aggregate points earned by clubs since the league's founding in the 1934–35 season, encompassing 84 completed competitions through the 2021–22 season. Points reflect the era-specific systems: 2 points per win until the 1991–92 season, transitioning to 3 points per win thereafter, with no retroactive adjustments applied; draws consistently yield 1 point, and seasons interrupted by external factors (such as 1963–64 due to intercommunal violence and 2019–20 due to the ) are included proportionally. This methodology favors longevity and consistency, as teams with more seasons played accumulate higher totals despite varying competition structures, including periods of 8- to 16-team formats and playoff systems introduced in later years. APOEL Nicosia holds the top position with 3,467 points from 82 seasons, underscoring its sustained dominance through superior win rates and goal differentials. Omonia Nicosia follows closely, benefiting from high participation (67 seasons) and offensive output, while Anorthosis Famagusta ranks third on balanced records across 77 seasons. Lower-ranked clubs like Aris Limassol reflect challenges with relegations and fewer top finishes, highlighting disparities in resource access and historical stability among Cypriot teams. Subsequent seasons (2022–23 onward) have not altered the top hierarchy, as confirmed by ongoing league data aggregators.
RankClubSeasonsMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGoals For:AgainstGoal DifferencePoints
1APOEL Nicosia821,9191,1404163634,075:1,913+2,1623,467
2Omonia Nicosia671,7571,0713623243,716:1,667+2,0493,250
3Anorthosis Famagusta771,9079544824713,403:2,191+1,2123,123
4Apollon Limassol641,7207914494802,917:2,078+8392,714
5AEL Limassol821,9218034616573,111:2,650+4612,649
6Nea Salamis601,5695244066392,158:2,380-2221,920
7Olympiakos Nicosia711,5995263896842,351:2,905-5541,813
8Enosis Neon Paralimni491,3484483915091,762:1,854-921,551
9Pezoporikos Larnaca501,0684443223021,732:1,341+3911,442
10Aris Limassol551,3503433366711,707:2,690-9831,347
Data up to 2021–22; rankings prioritize total points, with tiebreakers by where applicable.

European competition successes and statistics

APOEL achieved the greatest success for a Cypriot club by reaching the quarter-finals of the , the only instance of a Cypriot team advancing beyond the group stage in that competition. After topping Group G with five points from encounters against , , and Shakhtar Donetsk, APOEL eliminated 1–0 on aggregate in the round of 16 via a following extra time. They were then defeated 5–2 on aggregate by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, with scores of 0–3 away and 2–2 at home. Anorthosis Famagusta became the first Cypriot club to qualify for the group stage in 2008–09, finishing fourth in Group B behind , Werder , and Panathinaikos after securing four points from six matches, including a 3–1 home victory over Panathinaikos on 9 December 2008. In the 2025–26 season, marked the third Cypriot entry into the Champions League league phase (the modern equivalent of the group stage) by defeating 2–1 on aggregate in the play-offs, a historic debut for the club. Other notable performances include multiple Europa League group stage qualifications by clubs such as Omonia Nicosia (e.g., 2022–23 alongside Manchester United and ) and AEK (2018–19 and 2011–12), with AEK also reaching the round of 16 in the 2016–17 Europa League before elimination by . In the UEFA Conference League, AEK secured a 1–0 upset victory over on 23 October 2025, ending the hosts' 13-match unbeaten home streak across all competitions. APOEL has recorded additional Europa League round-of-16 appearances, including against in 2016–17, contributing to Cyprus's association coefficient peaking at 14th place by the end of the 2012–13 season due to these results.
ClubBest European AchievementSeason
APOELChampions League quarter-finals2011–12
Anorthosis FamagustaChampions League group stage (4th in group)2008–09
Pafos FCChampions League league phase2025–26
AEK LarnacaEuropa League round of 16; Conference League round of 16 (including league phase win vs. )2016–17; 2022–23, 2025–26
Omonia NicosiaEuropa League group stage2022–23
Ethnikos AchnasIntertoto Cup winner2006

Controversies and Criticisms

Match-fixing scandals and integrity issues

In January 2015, (CFA) president Costakis Koutsokoumnis publicly admitted that the First Division was likely plagued by match-fixing, citing UEFA-provided evidence of irregularities in 17 matches over the preceding three seasons, primarily involving relegation-threatened teams. This disclosure followed accusations by international referee Marios Panayi, who claimed high-ranking CFA officials manipulated outcomes and provided recorded evidence of such directives, prompting a on CFA offices and a pledge for transparent investigation by Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou. In response, the league contracted from 14 to 12 teams that season, amid calls for Koutsokoumnis's resignation by clubs like Anorthosis . Surveys by the Pancyprian Footballers Association (PASP) underscored the scale of the problem, with 67% of First Division players acknowledging rigged games and 23% reporting direct approaches to fix matches, often from club owners or committees; second-division figures were even higher at 71% awareness. Integrity efforts included new CFA regulations in August 2016 imposing fines up to €10,000 and potential funding cuts for implicated parties, alongside a planned anonymous reporting app, though a 10-month police inquiry into the CFA found no substantiated charges. By November 2016, the CFA had received files on 75 suspected fixed matches dating back to 2011, signaling persistent monitoring. Whistleblowers faced retaliation, including a €5,000 fine imposed on coach Spyros Neofitides in 2016 for publicizing fixing attempts, which he described as CFA intimidation tactics. Referee safety deteriorated with multiple firebomb attacks, such as those on Leontios Trattos's car in February 2014 and March 2015, Maro Mouskos's home, and the Referees Association headquarters, leading to a one-week of matches in 2015. Senior referees, including CFA head Michalis Argyrou, were briefly detained on suspicion but released without charges. Subsequent years saw continued disruptions: in January 2020, UEFA notifications implicated several teams, resulting in forfeited annual state grants of €60,000 and points deductions as initial penalties. By 2023, parliamentary hearings revealed allegations of CFA cover-ups in 16 UEFA-flagged matches from 2019–2020, including 11 involving and five with Ermis Aradippou, marked by anomalous Asian betting volumes; specific friendlies like Karmiotissa's 0–4 loss to Apollon and 1–8 defeat to raised suspicions of manipulation, with claims of intervention by former President and a UEFA official to suppress probes. The CFA rejected these as baseless, while the House Ethics Committee continued investigations, highlighting delays by the Cyprus Sports Ethics Committee. These episodes reflect systemic vulnerabilities tied to illegal betting and institutional resistance, with no major convictions reported to date despite ongoing oversight.

Fan violence, hooliganism, and security failures

Fan violence and have been persistent issues in the Cypriot First Division, often erupting during high-stakes derbies involving clubs like APOEL Nicosia, Omonia Nicosia, , and Apollon Limassol, with clashes involving flares, projectiles, and physical assaults leading to match abandonments and injuries. These incidents frequently stem from rival groups, such as Omonia's Gate 9, engaging in organized confrontations that spill beyond stadiums. A notable escalation occurred on , 2024, during the Limassol derby between AEL and Apollon Limassol, where away fans (AEL supporters) threw flares and invaded the pitch, prompting the referee to abandon the match after 70 minutes due to police inability to restore order; three officers were injured, highlighting coordination lapses between the (CFA) and security forces. This event intensified calls for a nationwide away-fan ban, already partially implemented for high-risk fixtures, as President criticized the CFA for inadequate preventive measures against recurring . Off-field violence compounded the problem on May 18, 2025, following the , when approximately 50 hooded assailants—some wearing APOEL-associated apparel—stormed an Omonia-linked fan association in Lakatamia, , injuring three people and causing extensive ; two suspects were arrested, but the attack underscored failures in post-match and rapid response. Similar disruptions marked a January 23, 2024, tie (involving First Division teams), abandoned after fans stormed the field and hurled flares, with officials citing unassurable safety amid overwhelmed policing. Security shortcomings persist, including insufficient stadium controls allowing pyrotechnics—flares, firecrackers, and —that endanger players and officials; in November 2024, police threatened to withdraw match policing entirely unless the CFA enforces stricter bans on such items, pointing to repeated non-compliance by fan groups. Players have reported feeling unsafe, with unions like highlighting direct threats and inadequate protections, contributing to a cycle of systemic lapses where blame shifts between authorities, clubs, and supporters without resolution.

Structural flaws, dominance, and development shortcomings

The Cypriot First Division features pronounced dominance by a select group of clubs, with APOEL Nicosia recognized as the most successful in terms of league titles and European participations. , historically a rival powerhouse, trails in recent achievements amid ongoing financial mismanagement that has eroded its competitive edge since its last title in 2010. This imbalance arises from revenue disparities, where top clubs benefit disproportionately from prize money and sponsorships, while smaller teams lack the resources to compete consistently, resulting in title distributions concentrated among fewer than five clubs over decades. The league's structure, comprising 14 teams in a double round-robin format followed by a split into championship and relegation groups, amplifies these inequalities by prioritizing established sides in high-revenue fixtures and exposing underfunded clubs to greater relegation risks. Scheduling conflicts, such as top teams postponing domestic matches for European obligations, further distort fairness and fan engagement. Underlying issues, including reliance on voluntary labor despite substantial operating budgets, perpetuate inefficiency and hinder professionalization across the . Development shortcomings are compounded by chronic financial instability, with nine of the 14 top-division clubs incurring €18 million in combined losses for the 2022 , limiting investments in scouting, coaching, and facilities. Aggregate tax and social security debts exceeding €30 million as of August 2025 constrain youth programs, fostering dependence on foreign imports rather than nurturing local talent. Cyprus's association coefficient ranking of 17th reflects these gaps, as sporadic club successes in fail to translate into sustained national team progress or broader ecosystem growth. Poor and early player outflows to larger leagues underscore a causal link between fiscal and stalled talent pipelines.

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  71. https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/clashes-halt-limassol-derby-police-and-fans-blame-each-other
  72. https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/omonia-apoel-football-fan-violence-arrests-nicosia/
  73. https://apnews.com/article/cyprus-soccer-away-fans-limits-ban-violence-7b5edd64b5d2cf4ae54d9027fb061391
  74. https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/05/19/hooded-mob-breaks-into-nicosia-football-fan-club-injuring-three
  75. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jan/24/cyprus-cup-match-called-off-after-fans-writethru-1/
  76. https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/11/08/police-warn-they-may-stop-policing-football-matches-over-fan-behaviour
  77. https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/safe-working-environments/sometimes-we-don-t-feel-safe-players-speak-ahead-of-workplace-safety-event-in-cyprus
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