Ligue 1 (Congo)

Ligue 1 (DR Congo) (Illicocash Ligue 1) - the top professional division in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, staged by LINAFOOT under the FECOFA framework. Regulations: the season format is approved each year and typically features a regular phase split into groups with a double round-robin, followed by a final stage where the best teams from each group compete for the title on points, while the remaining clubs play a separate relegation phase, with points awarded 3 for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss. If teams are level on points, the tie-break order is set by the season regulations, and in current practice overall goal difference and overall goals scored are primary criteria. Continental places depend on CAF access allocations, commonly the champions and runners-up qualify for the CAF Champions League, while the third-placed team and the Coupe du Congo winner qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup, and relegation to Ligue 2 is likewise defined by the season regulations and may include multiple direct relegation spots.