First League (North Macedonia)

First League (North Macedonia) (Macedonian First Football League) - the top-tier professional club division in North Macedonia organised under the Football Federation of North Macedonia. Regulations: the current format features 12 clubs and is played as a league competition, with each team facing every other team three times for 33 matches, where the first 22 matchdays follow a standard home and away schedule and the final 11 matchdays are determined based on the league standings after 22 matchdays. Points are awarded on a 3-1-0 basis and, if teams are level on points, the ranking criteria apply in sequence including goal difference and goals scored, followed by head-to-head records such as head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference and head-to-head goals scored, with head-to-head away goals potentially used when only two teams are tied, and if required a draw of lots or a play-off match may be used in cases affecting the title, UEFA qualification or relegation. Under the current rules, the bottom places lead to relegation to the Second League and the clubs in the play-out zone contest relegation play-outs to retain their status. The champion qualifies for the UEFA Champions League qualifying round, while the national cup winner and the best-placed league teams not otherwise qualified earn places in the UEFA Conference League qualifying rounds, subject to the national quota and UEFA club licensing requirements.