FNL 2024/2025, all matches

The first division of Russian football, known as the Football National League (FNL), is the second-largest division of professional football in Russia. The FNL was founded in 1992, immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, to form part of the new football structure in Russia. The league was originally called the First League, but was renamed the Football National League in 2011.

The tournament consists of 20 teams that compete against each other during a season consisting of 38 rounds. Each club plays two matches against each opponent: one at home and one away. The FNL regulations stipulate that the two best teams at the end of the season receive direct tickets to the Russian Premier League (RPL), the top division of Russian football. The teams that finish 3rd and 4th participate in play-offs with teams from the RPL for the right to be promoted. The last three teams are relegated to the Professional Football League (PFL), giving way to the best teams from the lower division.

The FNL plays an important role in the development of the young generation of Russian footballers. Many famous players began their careers in this division. Examples of such players include Alexander Kokorin and Fyodor Smolov, who later became stars of the Russian national team and played for major European clubs.

An interesting fact is that the FNL, like the RPL, uses the video replay system (VAR) to make controversial decisions on the field. The introduction of this system in 2020 significantly increased the accuracy of refereeing and reduced the number of errors.

Another feature of the FNL is its geographical diversity. The tournament involves teams from various regions of Russia, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, which makes it a truly all-Russian competition. This diversity leads to large distances between teams, which creates additional challenges for the participants of the tournament.

The history of the FNL is also rich in unexpected results and dramatic endings. Teams such as Anzhi Makhachkala and Rostov began their path to glory in this division before achieving success in the RPL and on the international stage.