Nine days before the start of the season, the Lithuanian Football Federation’s Appeals Licensing Committee announced on February 12 that the appeal submitted by FC Džiugas Telšiai for a 2026 Toplyga licence had been approved, confirming the club’s participation in the upcoming campaign.
Just a week earlier, the LFF Licensing Committee had granted top-flight licences to 11 of the 12 applicant clubs. Those initially approved were FK Kauno Žalgiris, FC Hegelmann, FK Žalgiris Vilnius, FK Sūduva, FA Šiauliai, FK Panevėžys, FK Banga Gargždai, FK Riteriai, FK TransINVEST, as well as two teams from the Pirma Lyga – Tauras Tauragė and Klaipėda’s Neptūnas. Džiugas were the only club denied at that stage, but they exercised their right to appeal the decision.
Following a review of the additional materials submitted, the federation confirmed that the appeal was successful. As a result, all 12 clubs that applied have now received licences. This means that all 10 teams that qualified on sporting merit is cleared to compete in the 2026 Toplyga season. Formal confirmation of the final participant list still requires ratification by the LFF Executive Committee.
The new season kicks off in just over a week. On February 21, FK Žalgiris Vilnius will open the campaign at the Sportima Arena in Vilnius against Džiugas Telšiai. The rest of the opening round follows on February 22, when Panevėžys host Sūduva, Hegelmann face Banga Gargždai, and TransINVEST take on FA Šiauliai. The round concludes on February 23 with defending champions Kauno Žalgiris visiting Riteriai.
More of the schedule of games is expected to be released in the upcoming days.
Source: https://toplyga.lt/naujiena/dziugui-suteikta-toplygos-licencija/9308
