A Lyga: Lithuania’s top football division

Last Updated: 18 march 2026

About the Lithuanian Football Championship

The Lithuanian Football Championship (TOPsport A Lyga) is the top division of the Lithuanian professional football club’s championship. Championship takes place annually. 10 teams participate in it. The new season starts in March or April. The reigning winner is a team Žalgiris (Vilnius).

2026 Lithuanian Football Championship

The Lithuanian Football Championship, formerly known as the A Lyga, will be held under a new name, TOPsport A Lyga (or TOPLYGA), starting in 2026. Tournament remains the country’s premier national competition and continues to attract both local and international spectators. The new season marks another stage in the development of Lithuanian football and maintains a high level of competition.

The 2026 TOPsport A Lyga season began on February 21, 2026, and will run until November 2026. This is the 37th season of the Lithuanian top division and the first to be held under its new name following the league’s rebranding.

During the season, teams will compete for the championship title and the right to participate in European competitions. The competition format remains stable:

Ten teams participate.
Clubs play in several rounds (usually four).
At the end of the season, the champion and participants in European tournaments are determined.

This format ensures a packed schedule and intense competition.

Participants and Favorites

In 2026, the Lithuanian Championship traditionally features ten teams, among which the main contenders for the title stand out:

Zalgiris Vilnius is one of the most decorated clubs in the country and a perennial favorite.
Sūduva is an experienced team with a strong organization.
Kauno Žalgiris is a consistent participant in the upper half of the table.
Panevezys is a current rival to the leaders and one of the most improving clubs.

The league also includes teams capable of challenging the favorites and influencing the final standings.

History of the A Lyga

The history of football championships in Lithuania began in 1922. In 1933-1935, local people built football stands similar to the modern ones.

In 1953, the first football competitions were held in the new Žalgiris Stadium. The Spartak team from Vilnius fought against the Dzerzhinets team from Chelyabinsk. Spartak achieved a historic victory with the score 10:2.

The first football associations started to appear in 1955 in Vilnius city.

In 1962, it was decided to unite the Spartak and Žalgiris teams. Thereby, the modern Žalgiris team was founded, with 9 wins under its belt.

Interesting facts about the tournament

The Lithuanian Football Championship has its own unique history and many interesting facts:

History of the tournament: The first Lithuanian Championship was held in 1991, and since then it has become an important part of the country’s sports culture.
Competition format: The tournament involves 10 teams that play each other in two rounds, which ensures spectacular and unpredictable matches.
Spectator interest: Every year the number of spectators in the stadiums is growing, which indicates an increase in interest in football in Lithuania.
Development of youth football: Lithuanian clubs are actively working on developing youth academies, which helps to bring new talents to the football arena.