The opening round of the Latvian Tonybet Virslīga continues today with two matches, including the round’s headline clash in Liepāja where FK Liepāja will attempt to challenge defending champions Riga FC.
The new season began on Friday with FC RFS securing a 2-0 victory over league newcomers Ogre United at LNK Sporta Parks. Midfielder Jānis Ikaunieks scored both goals in the second half, converting twice from excellent crosses by Lasha Odisharia.
Ikaunieks also made history with his brace, becoming the first player since 2013 to score twice in a Virslīga opening match. The previous player to achieve the feat was Jurģis Kalns, who scored two goals for Liepājas Metalurgs against FK Metta. Coincidentally, that same match 13 years ago marked Ikaunieks’ Virslīga debut, when he also scored his first league goal.
Before the main match of the round, attention will turn to Esplanāde Stadium in Daugavpils, where last season’s surprise package BFC Daugavpils host FK Grobiņa. Daugavpils finished fourth in the league last year, while Grobiņa ended the season ninth and secured survival only after narrowly defeating JDFS Alberts 1-0 on aggregate in the relegation play-off.
Daugavpils have undergone several squad changes during the winter, with some uncertainty around their foreign players until the final days before the season. Several loan players from RFS have arrived, although it remains to be seen whether they will feature immediately.
Meanwhile, Oskars Kļava’s FK Grobiņa begin the season with their longest away trip of the campaign. The two teams split victories last season, with three of the four matches ending 3-2, while BFC Daugavpils defensive midfielder Ceti Taty scored three goals in those encounters. Another high-scoring match could be on the cards.
The main event of the day takes place at the Daugava Stadium reserve pitch, where Liepāja will look for their first win over Riga FC since May 2022. On that occasion, Nemanja Belakovic scored the only goal after a Roberts Savaļnieks cross, giving Liepāja a 1-0 victory.
Since then Riga have been a difficult opponent for the coastal side. In the 16 meetings since that match, Liepāja have suffered 14 defeats and two draws. Last season Riga won all five meetings between the teams – four in the league and one in the Latvian Cup semi-final.
Under head coach Andreas Alm, Liepāja have set their goal for the season as another top-three finish and qualification for European competitions. Today’s match will provide an early indication of whether they have closed the gap to the league’s dominant clubs and can challenge Riga as they begin their title defence.
Kick-off at the Daugava Stadium reserve pitch is scheduled for 16:00 local time.
Matchday 1 Virslīga:
- 06.03.2026 – FC RFS vs Ogre United – 2-0
- 07.03.2026 – BFC Daugavpils vs FK Grobiņa – 14:00
- 07.03.2026 – FK Liepāja vs Riga FC – 16:00
- 08.03.2026 – FS Jelgava vs FK Tukums 2000 – 14:00
- 08.03.2026 – FK Auda vs SK Super Nova – 16:00
# Team P
W D L
GF GA GD Pts
1
RFS1
1
0
0
2
0
2
3
2
FK Liepāja1
1
0
0
2
1
1
3
3
FS Jelgava1
1
0
0
2
1
1
3
4
FK Auda1
1
0
0
2
1
1
3
5
Grobiņa1
1
0
0
1
0
1
3
6
Super Nova1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
7
FK Tukums 20001
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
8
Riga FC1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
9
BFC Daugavpils1
0
0
1
0
1
-1
0
10
Ogre United1
0
0
1
0
2
-2
0