October 2025 was a crucial period in the Bulgarian First Professional League (efbet League), covering Matchdays 11 to 13. During this month, teams competed across stadiums in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Razgrad, Stara Zagora, Dobrich, Montana, Kardzhali, and Vratsa. The fixtures were decisive for league positioning: top clubs like Ludogorets Razgrad, Levski Sofia, and CSKA Sofia aimed to consolidate their leads and strengthen their chances for the Championship Round and European qualification, while mid-table teams sought to break into the top six, and lower-ranked clubs fought to avoid early relegation threats. October matches tested squad depth, tactical flexibility, and consistency, with international breaks adding further challenges. Performance in these fixtures often sets the tone for the mid-season phase, influencing momentum and morale going into November and the winter break. Overall, October was strategically and psychologically vital, shaping the early league table and determining both title contenders and relegation candidates.
Tournament in October 2025
The Tournament Format of the Bulgaria – First Professional Football League (efbet League) during October 2025
1. League Structure
• The 2025–26 season of Bulgaria’s First Professional Football League features 16 clubs competing in a triple round-robin system.
• Every team plays 30 regular-season matches, spread across three stages:
1. Regular Season (Rounds 1–30) – runs from July to March.
2. Championship & Relegation Rounds (Rounds 31–36) – from April to May.
3. European Playoffs – after Round 36.
During October 2025, the league is deep in the Regular Season, approximately between Rounds 11 to 14.
2. Match Distribution in October
• Clubs typically play 3–4 league matches in October, depending on schedule adjustments for international breaks.
• These matches are part of the first phase of the league table, where points are vital to remain in the top six before the mid-season split.
• Each victory earns 3 points, a draw 1 point, and a loss 0 points.
3. October Focus – Mid-Season Competition
October represents a critical mid-season phase:
• Top teams like Ludogorets Razgrad, Levski Sofia, and CSKA 1948 Sofia aim to strengthen their lead before winter.
• Mid-table clubs such as Beroe, Slavia Sofia, and Hebar Pazardzhik fight to stay within the top 6 cutoff for the Championship Round.
• Bottom teams (like Montana or Dobrudzha) aim to escape relegation danger before the winter transfer window.
4. Format Rules Active in October
• Tie-breaking Criteria (if teams are level on points):
1. Head-to-head results
2. Goal difference
3. Goals scored
4. Disciplinary record
• Relegation Rules (though determined later):
14th to 16th place: direct relegation.
13th place: plays a promotion/relegation playoff vs the 2nd team from the Second League.
5. European Qualification Path
October results strongly impact qualification chances:
• 1st place → UEFA Champions League first qualifying round.
• 2nd–3rd place → UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
• 4th or 5th place may enter the European Playoff if the Bulgarian Cup winner is already qualified.
6. Overall Purpose of October Stage
• October serves as the balance point of the regular season — performance here often predicts:
Who will fight for the title (Championship group).
Who will slide into relegation danger.
• The month’s matches test squad depth, especially as players return from international duties and fixture congestion increases.
First Professional Football League – October 2025 Fixtures
The October 2025 Fixture List for the Bulgarian First Professional League (efbet League)
Matchday 11
Friday, 3 October 2025
• Septemvri Sofia vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv
• Slavia Sofia vs Lokomotiv Sofia
Saturday, 4 October 2025
• CSKA 1948 Sofia vs Spartak Varna
• Montana vs Cherno More Varna
• Levski Sofia vs Beroe Stara Zagora
Sunday, 5 October 2025
• Dobrudzha Dobrich vs Arda Kardzhali
• Botev Vratsa vs Botev Plovdiv
• CSKA Sofia vs Ludogorets Razgrad
Matchday 12
Saturday, 18 October 2025
• Arda Kardzhali vs Septemvri Sofia
• Beroe Stara Zagora vs Montana
• Botev Plovdiv vs Slavia Sofia
• Cherno More Varna vs Levski Sofia
• Dobrudzha Dobrich vs CSKA Sofia
• Lokomotiv Plovdiv vs Botev Vratsa
• Lokomotiv Sofia vs CSKA 1948 Sofia
• Ludogorets Razgrad vs Spartak Varna
Sunday, 19 October 2025
• Cherno More vs Levski Sofia
• Dobrudzha vs CSKA Sofia
• Lokomotiv Sofia vs CSKA 1948 Sofia
Monday, 20 October 2025
• Arda Kardzhali vs Septemvri Sofia
• Beroe vs Montana
Matchday 13
Saturday, 25 October 2025
• Montana vs Arda Kardzhali
• Spartak Varna vs Botev Plovdiv
• CSKA Sofia vs Beroe Stara Zagora
• CSKA 1948 Sofia vs Ludogorets Razgrad
• Lokomotiv Sofia vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv
• Slavia Sofia vs Cherno More Varna
• Levski Sofia vs Dobrudzha Dobrich
• Botev Vratsa vs Septemvri Sofia
October 2025 – Fixtures with Venues Details
The October 2025 fixtures for the Bulgarian First Professional League organized by matchday, showing team names and venues in a clean format:
Matchday 11 (3–5 October 2025)
• Septemvri Sofia vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv — Stadion Dragalevtsi, Sofia
• Slavia Sofia vs Lokomotiv Sofia — Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov, Sofia
• CSKA 1948 Sofia vs Spartak Varna — Stadion Vasil Levski, Sofia
• Montana vs Cherno More Varna — Ogosta Stadium, Montana
• Levski Sofia vs Beroe Stara Zagora — Vivacom Arena – Georgi Asparuhov, Sofia
• Dobrudzha Dobrich vs Arda Kardzhali — Druzhba Stadium, Dobrich
• Botev Vratsa vs Botev Plovdiv — Hristo Botev Stadium, Vratsa
• CSKA Sofia vs Ludogorets Razgrad — Stadion Balgarska Armia, Sofia
Matchday 12 (18–20 October 2025)
• Arda Kardzhali vs Septemvri Sofia — Arena Arda, Kardzhali
• Beroe Stara Zagora vs Montana — Beroe Stadium, Stara Zagora
• Botev Plovdiv vs Slavia Sofia — Hristo Botev Stadium, Plovdiv
• Cherno More Varna vs Levski Sofia — Ticha Stadium, Varna
• Dobrudzha Dobrich vs CSKA Sofia — Druzhba Stadium, Dobrich
• Lokomotiv Plovdiv vs Botev Vratsa — Lokomotiv Stadium, Plovdiv
• Lokomotiv Sofia vs CSKA 1948 Sofia — Stadion Lokomotiv, Sofia
• Ludogorets Razgrad vs Spartak Varna — Huvepharma Arena, Razgrad
Matchday 13 (25 October 2025)
• Montana vs Arda Kardzhali — Ogosta Stadium, Montana
• Spartak Varna vs Botev Plovdiv — Spartak Stadium, Varna
• CSKA Sofia vs Beroe Stara Zagora — Stadion Balgarska Armia, Sofia
• CSKA 1948 Sofia vs Ludogorets Razgrad — Stadion Vasil Levski, Sofia
• Lokomotiv Sofia vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv — Stadion Lokomotiv, Sofia
• Slavia Sofia vs Cherno More Varna — Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov, Sofia
• Levski Sofia vs Dobrudzha Dobrich — Vivacom Arena – Georgi Asparuhov, Sofia
• Botev Vratsa vs Septemvri Sofia — Hristo Botev Stadium, Vratsa
Importance of October Matches in the Bulgarian First Professional League
A detailed explanation of the importance of October matches in the Bulgarian First Professional League (efbet League) 2025–26:
1. Mid-Season Benchmark
• October represents the mid-point of the first phase of the league (Rounds 11–13).
• Teams use this period to assess their strengths, weaknesses, and league position.
• Performance in October often predicts which teams will qualify for the Championship Round (top 6) and which may be at risk of the Relegation Round (bottom 10).
2. Crucial Points for Championship Contention
• Top teams like Ludogorets Razgrad, Levski Sofia, and CSKA Sofia fight to extend their lead and secure a strong position before the winter break.
• Dropped points in October can complicate title ambitions or push a team into mid-table competition.
3. Impact on Relegation Battles
• For lower-ranked teams such as Montana, Dobrudzha, and Botev Vratsa, October is vital to avoid falling into relegation danger early.
• Wins here can create a buffer for the tough winter fixtures and give hope for survival.
4. Influence on European Qualification
• League standings in October begin shaping European competition prospects:
Champions enter UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
2nd–3rd placed teams target Europa Conference League qualification.
• Early-season performance can reduce pressure in the final rounds.
5. Squad and Tactical Assessment
• October fixtures test squad depth and tactical adaptability.
• Teams may have injuries, suspensions, or international call-ups, and October matches show which squads can handle fixture congestion.
6. Psychological Impact
• Strong performances create momentum going into November and December.
• Poor results can demoralize players and affect performance during the winter break.
Conclusion – October 2025
October in the Bulgarian First Professional League 2025–26 is a pivotal month that can define a team’s trajectory for the season. With Matchdays 11–13, clubs battle for crucial points that determine their positions in the Championship and Relegation Rounds.
Top teams aim to solidify their lead and strengthen their chances for the title and European qualification, while mid- and lower-table teams fight to avoid early relegation danger. The month’s fixtures also test squad depth, tactical flexibility, and consistency, with results often influencing momentum going into the winter break.
Overall, October matches carry high strategic and psychological importance, making every fixture critical for shaping the league standings and setting the stage for the rest of the season.
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