The Latvian Football Federation (LFF) Club Licensing First Instance Board on Wednesday granted LFF B licences for participation in the 2026 Nākotnes Līga (second tier) season to all ten applicants who qualified for the championship on sporting merit. In addition, four reserve teams of Virslīga clubs have also been approved to compete in the tournament.
After fulfilling all criteria in full, licences were awarded to JDFS Alberts, Rēzeknes FA, FK Metta, Riga Mariners, JFK Ventspils, Skanstes SK, Leevon PPK, FK Smiltene, Mārupes SC and Valmiera FC. The latter won the third divison title last season.
The reserve sides of Riga FC-2, FC RFS-2 and FK Tukums 2000-2 have retained their places in the competition. They will be joined this season by SK Super Nova-2, last year’s third league runners-up.
The main uncertainty ahead of the new campaign concerned the fate of former Virslīga champions Valmiera FC. Earlier this month, however, the club’s substantial tax debt – which was one of the reasons to their exclusion from European competition and relegation from the Virslīga, forcing them to restart from the third tier – was cleared. At certain points last year, the debt had reached six figures. But it was confirmed today that the team coached by Gatis Kalniņš will begin the season in Nākotnes Līga.
The new campaign is scheduled to start on 21–22 March. Each team will play a two-round format. The winner will earn promotion to the 2027 Virslīga season, while the second-placed side will have the opportunity to compete for promotion in a play-off against the ninth-placed Virslīga team.
Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18798/pretendenti-sanem-1-ligas-licences/
