The battle for a place in the top flight of Russian football is set. FC Ural and FC Rotor have officially qualified for the transitional matches that will determine the final participants in the Mir Russian Premier League for the 2026/2027 season.
The crucial two-legged ties are scheduled for May 20 and May 23. According to the established format, the clubs from the lower division, in this case the Pari League, will host the first matches at their home stadiums.
These playoffs will see the third and fourth-placed teams from the First League challenge the sides that finished in the relegation zone of the RPL. Currently, those RPL teams are FC Orenburg, sitting with 26 points, and FC Dynamo Makhachkala, who have accumulated 24 points.
The direct promotion spots from the First League have already been secured. FC Fakel Voronezh and Moscow's FC Rodina have earned automatic advancement to the Russian championship, leaving Ural and Rotor to fight for the remaining berth through the playoffs.
With two rounds still to play in the First League campaign, FC Ural is in a strong position. The club from Yekaterinburg has collected 58 points, placing them firmly in third place in the standings.
Their upcoming opponents, FC Rotor from Volgograd, have also had a solid season. They have earned 53 points so far, which positions them in fourth place, just behind Ural, setting the stage for a competitive playoff series.
The outcome of these May fixtures will have significant implications for all four clubs involved, determining who gets to compete in Russia's premier football competition next season and who will remain in the second tier.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.