Ekstraklasa

Ekstraklasa is the top level of professional men’s football in Poland. It was established in 1927 and is organized by Ekstraklasa SA under the authority of the Polish Football Association (PZPN). The league represents the highest tier in Polish football and operates with promotion and relegation against the I liga, the second tier.

The competition is typically played as a nationwide round-robin league. The number of clubs has varied over the years, but in recent seasons it features a limited set of teams, with the season running from summer to spring and usually including a winter break. In many seasons the format involves a split after a set number of rounds into a championship group and a relegation group, which helps determine final standings and European qualification.

Qualification for European competitions is a major feature of Ekstraklasa. The champions advance to the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League, while other high finishes, along with domestic cup performances, determine berths in the UEFA Europa League or the UEFA Europa Conference League, subject to licensing and coefficient rules.

Sponsorship has shaped the league’s branding in recent years. It has been commonly known as PKO Ekstraklasa due to sponsorship by PKO Bank Polski. Legia Warszawa is the most successful club in the competition, and other prominent teams include Lech Poznań, Wisła Kraków, and Górnik Zabrze. The league serves as Poland’s premier football competition and contributes to the country’s representation in European football.