Maltese Challenge League
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2021) |
![]() | |
Founded | 2019 |
---|---|
Country | ![]() |
Number of teams | 16 |
Level on pyramid | 2 |
Promotion to | Maltese Premier League |
Relegation to | National Amateur League |
Domestic cup(s) | Maltese FA Trophy |
Current champions | Melita (1st title) (2023–24) |
Current: 2024–25 Maltese Challenge League |
The Maltese Challenge League (referred to as the BOV Challenge League for sponsorship reasons[1]) is the second-highest division in Maltese football, behind the Maltese Premier League. The First Division was the precursor of the present Premier League until the latter was revamped for the 1980–81 season with the Maltese Challenge League instituted for the 2020–21 season following the premature end of the previous season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
Format
[edit]Since the 2022–23 season, the league is made up of eighteen teams. Over the course of the season, each team plays twice against the others in the league, resulting in each team completing thirty-four games in total. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the table by:[3]
- Total points gained
In the need of a tie-breaker, a play-off game is played. At the end of the season, the top two teams are directly promoted to the Premier League; an additional place is reserved for the winner of the relegation play-off between the twelfth-placed Premier League team and the third-placed Maltese Challenge League side. The four lowest-finishing teams are relegated to the National Amateur League.[4]
Venues
[edit]Ta' Qali | Hamrun | |
---|---|---|
Centenary Stadium | Victor Tedesco Stadium | |
Capacity: 3,000 | Capacity: 1,962 | |
![]() | ![]() |
Results
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Azzopardi, Kevin (12 July 2015). "Malta FA, BOV agree new three-year sponsorship deal". Times of Malta.
- ^ "BOV Challenge League". Malta Football Association. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "First Division Seasonal Rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
- ^ "2020–21 BOV Premier League set for exciting start". Malta Football Association. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ Malta 1996/97
- ^ Season 1997/98 - Rothmans Division 1 - Final Classification
- ^ Malta 1998/99
- ^ Malta 1999/2000
External links
[edit]- First Division on Malta Football Association