Voronezh's Fakel has officially secured its return to the top flight of Russian football. The club earned promotion back to the Russian Premier League (RPL) for the 2026/2027 season following a hard-fought 0-0 draw against SKA-Khabarovsk in the 33rd round of the First League (Liga Pari) on the final matchday of the 2025/2026 campaign.
The result was enough to guarantee Fakel a top-two finish, which is the requirement for automatic promotion. This achievement marks a significant turnaround for the Voronezh side, which was relegated from the RPL just one season ago after finishing in last place with a mere 18 points. The team, managed by head coach Oleg Vasilenko, demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season to bounce back at the first attempt.
Fakel currently sits at the summit of the First League table, having accumulated 65 points from their 33 matches. This points tally places them firmly in the promotion zone. Their closest challenger is Moscow's Rodina, who held 62 points from 32 games heading into the final round. Rodina also had a chance to secure promotion on the same day with a victory over Chelyabinsk.
The battle for the second automatic promotion spot has been a key storyline of the season. Behind the top two, Ural occupies third place with 58 points, followed by Rotor with 52 points. SKA-Khabarovsk, Fakel's final opponent, sits in 13th position with 39 points, well clear of the relegation zone but far from the promotion race.
Fakel's defensive solidity was a hallmark of their successful campaign, as evidenced by the clean sheet in the decisive match against SKA-Khabarovsk. The 0-0 draw, while not a high-scoring spectacle, was the pragmatic result needed to achieve the season's primary objective. The team's ability to grind out results was a stark contrast to their struggles in the previous RPL season.
The promotion is a major boost for football in Voronezh, restoring the city's presence in the nation's premier club competition. The club will now look to strengthen its squad during the summer transfer window to ensure it can compete effectively and avoid an immediate return to the second tier. The 2026/2027 RPL season will feature Fakel once again, completing a swift comeback.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.
