Vietnamese football teams Nam Định and Hải Phòng will commence their V.League 1 competition on August 15th.
The 2025-26 V.League 1 season is set to kick off on August 15, marking a new era for Vietnamese football. With notable changes in relegation rules and foreign player regulations, the league is poised to enhance its professionalism, competitiveness, and support for local player development.
One of the most significant changes this season is the relegation rule. Instead of the previous system where only the bottom team was automatically relegated, and the second-last team entered a play-off to avoid relegation, the bottom two teams will be relegated directly from the top flight after the end of the season. This change increases competition at the bottom of the league table.
Another key change is the foreign player quota. Clubs participating in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) continental tournaments are allowed to register up to 7 foreign players, while other clubs can register up to 4 foreign players. However, in each match, teams may only field a maximum of 3 foreign players on the field at the same time. This rule aims to balance between competitiveness and the development of domestic players.
The season will consist of 26 rounds, played in a double round-robin format. The registration deadline for players is 5:00 p.m. on August 1, 2025. The season officially kicks off on August 15, 2025, with the opening match being the 2024-25 National Super Cup. There are two transfer windows: Phase 1 from July 15 to September 14, 2025, and Phase 2 from January 25 to March 17, 2026.
The VFF has also taken steps to improve refereeing standards. The referee training plan has been upgraded, with FIFA instructors taking charge of the training to improve their working quality and minimize errors.
The merging of localities has resulted in some cities and provinces having more than one club, creating exciting derbies. The addition of another VAR unit is expected to increase the number of matches with VAR support while reducing travel cost and improving equipment operation efficiency in the central region.
The season will end on June 28, 2026, with the National Cup final. The winners of the V.League 1 will receive a purse of VNĐ5 billion, while the second and third-placed teams will receive VNĐ3 billion and VNĐ1.5 billion, respectively.
These changes reflect the league's commitment to raising its quality and competitive spirit while fostering domestic talent development. The merger aims to increase the fan base with identity, brand, and association with local traditions. With increased competitiveness, improved refereeing, and a focus on local player development, the 2025-26 V.League 1 season promises to be an exciting one for Vietnamese football fans.
- To stay updated on the changes and matches in the 2025-26 V.League 1 season, fans can follow news online, as the internet is a valuable source for sports updates.
- As the season progresses, football lovers can enjoy watching their favorite teams and players on TV, as the competition is expected to be intense due to the new relegation and foreign player rules.
- With the increased competitiveness and focus on local player development, artificial intelligence might be used in the future to analyze player performance, providing insights and improving strategies for coaching staff.
- During travel to matches between cities and provinces with multiple clubs, football enthusiasts can explore different parts of Vietnam, making the most of their trips by experiencing local traditions and the unique attractions that each area offers, as tourism can complement the excitement of sports events.
