Kazakhstan Premier League 2026

Last Updated: 13 march 2026

About the Kazakhstan Professional Football League

Kazakh Premier League is a professional football league among Kazakhstan’s football teams. The official name according to the rules of the season 2020 is OLIMPBET-Championship of Kazakhstan; the Kazakhstan Premier League. Championship is under the direction of the Kazakhstan Football Federation.

2026 Kazakhstan Premier League

The Kazakhstan Premier League is the country’s main professional football competition. The 2026 season marks the 35th edition of the national championship, bringing together the top clubs of Kazakhstan competing for the league title and qualification for European tournaments.

When will it be held in the 2026 season?

The 2026 season began on March 7 and will run until November 1. One of the key changes this year is the expansion of the league to 16 teams, increasing the number of matches and overall competitiveness of the tournament.

Participating teams and favorites

Among the main favorites of the season are the leading Kazakh clubs — Astana, Kairat, Tobol, and Aktobe, which regularly compete for top positions and represent Kazakhstan in European competitions.

History of the championship

The Kazakhstan Premier League was founded in 1992. At that time, the championship was held on a spring-fall system.

Since 2001, the league winners have qualified to play in the UEFA Champions League.

Team Astana took part in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in the 2015/2016 season.

Since 2010, the competition began to be held in 2 stages. The teams were divided into 2 groups of 6 teams each. The first group competed for places 1-6.

In the 2012 season, 14 teams competed in the Premier League. After one year, the number of teams was reduced to 12. In season 2021, the number of clubs has been increased to 14 again.

Since the first season of the Kazakhstan Premier League, FC Shakhter Karagandy has never been eliminated from the league.