A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
 | |
| Organising body | Slovak Football Association |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Country | Slovakia |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | 2. liga |
| Domestic cup(s) | Slovak Cup |
| International cup(s) | UEFA Champions League UEFA Europa League UEFA Europa Conference League |
| Current champions | ŠK Slovan Bratislava (14th title) (2023–24) |
| Most championships | Slovan Bratislava (14 titles) |
| TV partners | Domestic Markíza RTVS (highlights) International Eleven Sports OneFootball |
| Website | nikeliga.sk |
| Current: 2024–25 | |
The Slovak First Football League, shortly just 1st League (1. liga), currently Niké liga for sponsorship reasons, is the highest league in the Slovak football league system.[1] It was formed in 1993 following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. The record for most titles is thirteen, held by Slovan Bratislava, who are the current title holders.
History
The current independent top football division in Slovakia was formed in 1993 as a result of the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. The predecessors of the current top football division in Slovakia were Zväzové Majstrovstvá Slovenska (1925–1933) and Slovenská liga (1938–1944).
Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia (1918–1939 and 1945–1993) and the best Slovak clubs played in the joint Czechoslovak league. Three Slovak clubs managed to win it.[2]
Zväzové Majstrovstvá Slovenska (1925–1933)
| Season | Champions (number of titles) | Runners-up | Third place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1925–26 | 1. ČsŠK Bratislava | ||
| 1926–27 | 1. ČsŠK Bratislava | ||
| 1927–28 | SK Žilina | ||
| 1928–29 | SK Žilina | ||
| 1929–30 | 1. ČsŠK Bratislava | ||
| 1930–31 | Ligeti SC | ||
| 1931–32 | 1. ČsŠK Bratislava | ||
| 1932–33 | SC Rusj Uzhorod |
Slovenská liga (1938–1944)
| Season | Champions (number of titles) | Runners-up | Third place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938–39 | AC Sparta Považská Bystrica | ŠK Bratislava | MŠK Žilina |
| 1939–40 | ŠK Bratislava | AC Sparta Považská Bystrica | MŠK Žilina |
| 1940–41 | ŠK Bratislava | FC Vrútky | AC Sparta Považská Bystrica |
| 1941–42 | ŠK Bratislava | FC Vrútky | MŠK Žilina |
| 1942–43 | OAP Bratislava | ŠK Bratislava | AC Sparta Považská Bystrica |
| 1943–44 | ŠK Bratislava | OAP Bratislava | TSS Trnava |
| 1944–45 | abandoned in September 1944
| ||
Slovak winners of the Czechoslovak 1. League (1945–1993)
| Club | Winners | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Slovan Bratislava | 8
|
1949, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1991–92 |
| Spartak Trnava | 5
|
1967–68, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73 |
| Inter Bratislava | 1
|
1958–59 |
Competition format
Over the years, the number of teams competing in the top division has varied. The current number of 12 teams has been in effect since the 2006–07 season. However, there were also changes in the playing format afterwards. In the current format, which has been in effect since the 2017–18 season, teams play home-and-away against every other team in the regular stage, for a total of 22 matches each. The table is then divided into two halves of 6 teams each – the top 6 play in the championship group and the bottom 6 play in the relegation group. Within these groups, teams play home-and-away each other again, for a total of 10 matches each.
| Period | Number of teams |
|---|---|
| 1993–1996 | 12 |
| 1996–2000 | 16 |
| 2000–2006 | 10 |
| 2006–present | 12 |
Sponsorship
| Period | Sponsor | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1993–1997 | No sponsor | 1. liga |
| 1997–2002 | Reemtsma | Mars superliga |
| 2002–2003 | No sponsor | 1. liga |
| 2003–2014 | Heineken | Corgoň liga[3] |
| 2014–2023 | Fortuna | Fortuna liga[4] |
| 2023–present | Niké | Niké liga[5] |
