December is one of the most decisive phases of the Bulgarian First Professional League 2025–26 season, as clubs face a tight schedule filled with high-pressure fixtures. With winter conditions affecting playing style and match tempo, teams must rely on strong squad rotation, physical endurance, and tactical discipline to maintain their form. This month often exposes weaknesses in sides that lack depth, while rewarding teams with stable defensive organization and consistent goal-scoring.

The December fixtures significantly influence the top-six race, where every point becomes critical for earning a place in the Championship Playoffs. For title-contending clubs, this month can build momentum and create separation from rivals. At the other end of the table, struggling teams view December as a crucial opportunity to escape the relegation zone before the new year intensifies the pressure.

Overall, December acts as a season-defining checkpoint—shaping team confidence, league standings, and long-term ambitions. The performances in this month often predict how strong or vulnerable each club will be in the second half of the campaign.

Tournament Format – December (Bulgarian First League 2025–26)

The Tournament Format in December for the Bulgarian First Professional League 2025–26, written clearly and specifically for the month of December:

1. Final Round of the Autumn Phase

• December hosts the last matchdays of the autumn (first) phase of the league.

• In December 2025, only Matchday 19 is played as part of the regular schedule.

• Every team plays its final matches before the winter break.

2. Each Team Plays One Match (Home or Away)

All clubs complete their final autumn fixtures.

Matches are played in standard round-robin format:

• 3 points → win

• 1 point → draw

• 0 points → loss

3. No New Rounds After Matchday 19

• After Matchday 19, no new rounds are scheduled in December.

• The league stops at Round 19 until February.

4. Only Postponed Matches After 8 December

• The league only resumes for any postponed games.

• In December 2025, the only postponed match is:

Beroe vs Ludogorets (19 December, Round 6)

5. Winter Break Starts Mid-December

• After the final matches, the league goes on a winter break.

• Winter break extends from mid-December to early February.

• No league activity takes place during this break besides postponed fixtures.

6. No Playoffs or Championship/Relenegation Phase Yet

• December does not include playoffs.

• The Top 6 / Bottom 8 split happens later in the spring.

• December matches only affect the regular-season standings.

December 2025 Fixtures + Venues

The Bulgarian First Professional League – December 2025 Fixtures WITH Venue Details in a clean and simple format:

Matchday 19

3 December 2025

• Septemvri Sofia vs CSKA 1948
Venue: Stadion Lokomotiv, Sofia

• Beroe vs Cherno More
Venue: Stadion Beroe, Stara Zagora

• CSKA Sofia vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Venue: Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia

4 December 2025

• Dobrudzha vs Ludogorets
Venue: Stadion Druzhba, Dobrich

• Botev Vratsa vs Spartak Varna
Venue: Stadion Hristo Botev, Vratsa

• Slavia Sofia vs Levski Sofia
Venue: Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov, Sofia

6 December 2025

• Lokomotiv Sofia vs Botev Plovdiv
Venue: Stadion Lokomotiv, Sofia

• Lokomotiv Plovdiv vs Arda Kardzhali
Venue: Stadion Lokomotiv, Plovdiv

• Cherno More vs CSKA Sofia
Venue: Ticha Stadium, Varna

7 December 2025

• Beroe vs Septemvri Sofia
Venue: Stadion Beroe, Stara Zagora

• Spartak Varna vs Levski Sofia
Venue: Spartak Stadium, Varna

8 December 2025

• CSKA 1948 vs Dobrudzha
Venue: Stadion Bistritsa, Sofia

• Ludogorets vs Slavia Sofia
Venue: Huvepharma Arena, Razgrad

9 December 2025

• Botev Vratsa vs Montana
Venue: Stadion Hristo Botev, Vratsa

Postponed Match – Round 6

19 December 2025

• Beroe vs Ludogorets
Venue: Stadion Beroe, Stara Zagora

Importance of December – Bulgarian First League 2025–26

The Importance of December for the Bulgarian First Professional League 2025–26 written clearly and effectively:

1. Final Chance to Shape the Autumn Standings

• December contains the last round of matches before the winter break, meaning clubs have one final opportunity to climb the table.

• Positions at the end of December heavily influence momentum and confidence heading into the long break.

2. Critical for Title Contenders

• Teams like Ludogorets, CSKA Sofia, Levski Sofia, and Cherno More aim to finish the year strong.

• A win or loss in December can significantly affect:

• Gap at the top
• Pressure during the winter break
• Strategy for January transfers

3. Avoiding a Relegation Zone Start to the New Year

• Clubs near the bottom must fight to avoid spending the break in the relegation zone, which creates tension and potential managerial changes.

• A positive December result can ease pressure on coaches and teams.

4. Evaluating Squad Strength Before Transfers

December results help teams decide:

• Which positions need reinforcements

• Whether the current squad is strong enough

• Which players may leave in the winter window

5. Psychological Impact of Ending the Year Strong

Finishing December with a win boosts:

• Morale

• Fan support

• Club confidence going into January training

Ending the year poorly creates:

• Criticism

• Fan unrest

• Internal reevaluations

6. Postponed Matches Can Change the Table

• The single postponed fixture (Beroe vs Ludogorets on 19 December) can shift standings unexpectedly.

• Teams not playing must wait anxiously to see how the table changes.

7. Break Until February – December Results Last Longer

• With the winter break lasting almost two months, December standings stay unchanged for a long period.

• This makes December’s outcomes extremely influential for:

• Media narratives
• Team confidence
• Planning for the spring phase

Conclusion

December serves as a decisive month in the Bulgarian First Professional League, marking the final step before the long winter break. With only one matchday and a single postponed fixture, every point becomes crucial as teams aim to secure a favorable position heading into the new year. Title contenders look to strengthen their hold at the top, while struggling sides fight to stay clear of the relegation zone before the standings freeze for nearly two months. The results of December not only influence confidence and momentum but also guide strategic decisions for the winter transfer window. As the league pauses until February, December’s outcomes shape the narrative, expectations, and ambitions for the second half of the season.

_________
Thanks for reading
For More : Sports