The Russian Football Union has officially announced the schedule for the highly anticipated VK Video promotion/relegation playoffs. These crucial matches will determine which clubs earn the right to compete in the Russian Premier League for the 2026/2027 season.
According to the RFS press service, the draw to determine home advantage for the first legs will be held on Friday, May 8, at 14:00 Moscow time. This event will set the stage for the decisive encounters between the top-tier and second-tier clubs.
The playoff structure pits the 13th-place finisher from the MIR Russian Premier League against the fourth-place team from the PARI League. In the other matchup, the third-place team from the second division will face the club that finished 14th in the elite division.
The first legs of these high-stakes fixtures are scheduled for Wednesday, May 20. The return legs, which will ultimately decide the fate of the competing clubs, are set to take place on Saturday, May 23.
These playoffs represent a final opportunity for clubs on the brink of relegation to secure their top-flight status, while offering a golden chance for ambitious First League teams to achieve promotion. The outcomes will significantly shape the composition of the Russian Premier League for the upcoming campaign.
The announcement was made via the official RFS website, with the featured image accompanying the news being from FC Ural, a club that has historically been involved in such playoff scenarios.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.