The new season of the “Abissnet Superiore” is about to start, with the Vllaznia–Skënderbeu match that will officially open the championship on Friday, at 21:00, at the “Loro Boriçi” stadium. On the eve of the start of the 2026–2027 season, the Director of Competitions at the Albanian Football Federation, Marjus Sulejmani, spoke to fshf.org, presenting the innovations of the championship, the new format of the competition and the expectations for a more beautiful sports season.
Sulejmani initially focused on the start of the championship and the traditional opening ceremony, which this year will take place at the home of the reigning champions, Egnatia.
"The championship starts on Friday. The first match that will be held is Vllaznia - Skënderbeu, at 21:00. Also on Saturday, two matches will be played and the other two matches will be held on Sunday. Like every year, the opening ceremony is organized by the champion team, which this season is Egnatia and in the match Egnatia - Tirana, scheduled for Sunday, the opening ceremony of the championship will be held", - said Marjus Sulejmani.
The Director of Competitions at the Albanian Football Association (AFHA) has also explained the changes that the new season brings, with a new championship format after the conclusion of the regular stages.
"There are many innovations. This season we have a change in the competition format, where after three regular phases, the teams will be divided into two phases: play-offs where the first six teams will compete to be declared the champion team and the other four teams that are ranked from seventh to tenth place will participate in the play-out phase.
As you know, the teams will activate players with Albanian passports born in 2007 and onwards, where in "Abissnet Superiore" the rule is such, where the teams will have to start the match with at least one player born in 2007 who will have to be activated for a part of the game. While regarding the other categories, first, second and third, this rule is that the teams will have to activate players born in 2007 with Albanian passports throughout the match", - said Marjus Sulejmani.
Speaking about the new championship format, Marjus Sulejmani emphasizes that the competition will be dynamic and expresses his congratulations for a season with as many fans as possible, spectacle and fair play on the field and in the stands.
"The structure of the championship is such that the scheme is very dynamic. We hope to have as many fans as possible, as much spectacle as possible, as much fair play as possible both on the field and in the stands," said Marjus Sulejmani.
The Director of Competitions at the Albanian Football Association also praised the performance of Albanian teams in European competitions, wishing Egnatia and Dinamo City success in their next challenges.
"This season we have a very dignified representation of Egnatia, which has already secured the league stage in the UEFA Conference League, but is still in the race to participate in the Europa League, where the first match will be played on August 20 and the return match on August 27."
Also, Dinamo City will play the first leg of the play-off against Pafos on August 20, which will take place at the “Elbasan Arena”, while the return leg will be on August 27. We wish both teams, Egnatia and Dinamo City, to qualify, where Egnatia has already secured the league stage in the Conference League, we wish it to go to the Europa League. Also, much success to Dinamo in qualifying for the Conference League league stage in the play-off match”, said Marjus Sulejmani.
