About Cypriot First Division

The Cypriot First Division is the highest professional football league in Cyprus and is organized by the Cyprus Football Association. It was officially established in 1934, following the creation of the CFA, and has since become the top tier of Cypriot football. The league traditionally includes the strongest clubs in the country, such as APOEL, Omonia, and Anorthosis, which have historically dominated the competition.

The league format has changed several times over the years, but in its modern structure it typically features 14 teams. Each team plays home and away matches during the regular season, followed by a split into championship and relegation groups, where clubs compete for the title, European qualification, or to avoid relegation. Points are carried over into the second phase, and the team finishing first in the championship group is crowned national champion.

Cypriot First Division clubs compete for qualification spots in UEFA competitions, including the Champions League and Europa Conference League. The league is known for its competitive balance, with multiple teams capable of winning the title in different eras, although APOEL remains the most successful club historically. Relegation to the Second Division affects the bottom teams each season, while promotion from lower tiers maintains movement and competitiveness within the system.