Poland Ekstraklasa (Polish pronunciation: [ˌɛkstraˈklasa]), meaning "Extra Class" in Polish, named PKO Bank Polski Ekstraklasa since the 2019–20 season due to its sponsorship by PKO Bank Polski,[2][3] is the top Polish professional league for men's association football teams.

Ekstraklasa
Organising bodyEkstraklasa SA
Founded4 December 1926; 97 years ago (1926-12-04)[1]
First season1927
CountryPoland
ConfederationUEFA
Number of teams18 (since 2021–22)
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toI liga
Domestic cup(s)Polish Cup
Polish Super Cup
International cup(s)UEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa League
UEFA Conference League
Current championsRaków Częstochowa (1st title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsLegia Warsaw
(15 titles)
Most appearancesŁukasz Surma (559)
Top goalscorerErnest Pohl (186)
TV partnersList of broadcasters
Websiteekstraklasa.org
Current: 2023–24 Ekstraklasa

Contested by 18 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with the I liga, seasons start in July, and end in May or June the following year. Teams play a total of 34 games each. Games are played on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The winner of the Ekstraklasa qualifies for the Polish SuperCup. The league is from 2005 on operated by the Ekstraklasa Spółka Akcyjna.

The Ekstraklasa (former I liga) was officially formed as Liga Polska on 4–5 December 1926 in Warsaw, since 1 March 1927 as Liga Piłki Nożnej (Polish pronunciation: [ˈlʲiɡa ˈpiwki ˈnɔʐnɛj]), but the Polish Football Association (Polish: Polski Związek Piłki Nożnej, PZPN) had been in existence since 20 December 1919, a year after the independence of Poland in 1918. The first games of the freshly created league took place on 3 April 1927, while first national non-league football championship took place in 1920.

A total of 83 teams have played in the top division of Polish football since the founding of the league, of which 18 clubs have won the title. The current champions are Raków Częstochowa, who won their 1st title in 2022–23 season.

History edit

Naming edit

  • 1927–1948: Liga
  • 1949–2004: I liga
  • 2004: Idea Ekstraklasa
  • 2005–2009: Orange Ekstraklasa
  • 2011–2015: T-Mobile Ekstraklasa
  • 2016–2018: Lotto Ekstraklasa
  • 2019–: PKO Bank Polski Ekstraklasa

Creation of the Polish Football League edit

On 4–5 December 1926 in Warsaw, representatives from several Polish clubs met for the purpose of discussing the creation of a league. It is unknown where the idea of a Polish league originated from, however a national league was thought to be a much more practical solution than hitherto practiced two-stage system of regional matches followed by a national match.

To dismay of clubs' officials, the PZPN was not receptive to the idea of a national league and therefore sought to thwart it. However, it turned out that virtually all but one of the Polish clubs supported the idea. The decision to create it was made regardless what PZPN's representatives thought of it. In late February 1927, at the PZPN's meeting in Warsaw, its officials openly opposed the formation of a league, but the clubs, allegedly egged on by some generals from the Polish Army (which, after May Coup of 1926, played a key role in all aspects of public life), proceeded anyway. The creation of the League was announced on 1 March 1927.

Cracovia edit

The only opponent of the league's formation was Cracovia – a very influential and strong organization in Polish football of the 1920s. Cracovia's boycott was because its chairman, Dr. Edward Cetnarowski, at the same time held the post of the director of the PZPN. Cetnarowski was a personality known not only in Poland, but also in other countries. It was due to his efforts that in September 1923, Cracovia toured Spain, drawing 1–1 with Barcelona and losing 0–1 to Real Madrid. In October, also thanks to Cetnarowski, Sevilla travelled to Kraków, losing 2–3 to Cracovia.

Early years of the league edit

 
1927 Winning Wisła Kraków side.

Games of the first championships started on 3 April 1927. All major teams (except for Cracovia) took part in it. This is the list of the teams (in the order they finished in November 1927):

In this first season of the league, fight for championship was decided between two powerful teams – Wisła Kraków and 1.FC Katowice. This rivalry was treated very seriously, not only by the two sides involved, but also by the whole nation. 1.FC was regarded as the team supported by German minority, while Wisła, at the end of this historic season, represented ambitions of all Poles.

Some time in the fall of 1927 in Katowice, an ill-fated game between 1.FC and Wisła took place. Stakes were very high – the winner would become the champion. Kraków's side won 2–0 and became the champion. 1.FC finished second, third was Warta Poznań.

1920's edit

In 1928, Cracovia finally decided to enter the league, which was gladly accepted by all fans of football. However, championships were once again won by Wisła, with such excellent players as Henryk Reyman, Mieczysław Balcer and Jan Kotlarczyk. Warta Poznań was second and Legia Warsaw third. This was also the last year of 1.FC's glory. The team finished fifth, to be relegated forever at the end of 1929 season.

In 1929, another team (after Cracovia, Pogon Lwów and Wisła) was added to the list of champions of Poland. This time it was Warta Poznań, which finished one point ahead of Garbarnia Kraków.

However, after the last game, on 1 December 1929, it was Garbarnia Kraków that was celebrating the championship. Two weeks later, in mid-December, PZPN's officials changed the result of the Warta – Klub Turystow Łódź game. Originally, Warta lost 1–2, but due to walkover (it was decided that one of Łódź's players did not have all necessary documents), this was changed to 3–0 in favor of Poznań's side. As a result of the decision, Warta (with 33 points) became the champion, Garbarnia finished second with 32 points and Klub Turystow was relegated.

In 1930, Cracovia regained the championship, (to repeat this success in 1932) and a year later another Kraków's side, Garbarnia, won the league. It is clear that the 1927–1932 period was marked by dominance of teams from Kraków. During this time, only once (Warta Poznań, 1929) the championship was won by a side from a different city. The 1931 champion, Garbarnia, was unique as this was the first time that the league had been won by a side whose all players had been bought from other teams.

1930's edit

As has been said, the early 1930s marked a decline of the dominance of Kraków and Lwów as centers of Polish football. The point of gravity slowly moved towards west – to Polish part of Upper Silesia, which had belonged to Poland since 1921 (see: Silesian Uprisings). In 1932 the champion was Cracovia, but starting in 1933, Ruch Chorzów (then: Ruch Wielkie Hajduki) completely dominated the league, being the champion for four times in a row.

Ruch, with such excellent players as Teodor Peterek, Ernest Wilimowski and Gerard Wodarz was by far the best team in those years. For example, in 1934 it finished seven points ahead of second Cracovia. Other important teams of these years were: Cracovia, Wisła Kraków, Pogoń Lwów and Warta Poznań.

In 1933 and 1934 there were 12 teams in the League. In 1935 this number was cut to 11 and in 1936 – to 10. Football officials did it on purpose – with fewer teams, the competition was supposed to be harder, which would attract fans to the stadiums. However, supporters' turnout was not impressive, with Ruch Chorzów as the most popular team, both at home and away.

In late 1935 (the league held its games in the spring-summer-fall system) fans were shocked to find that Cracovia, the legend of this sport, was relegated to the A-class. Kraków's side absence lasted for a year – it returned in 1937, to become the champion.

Ruch Chorzów was still the dominant team, winning the Championships in 1936 and 1938. In 1937 Ruch's streak of four consecutive champions was broken by Cracovia, and in 1939 the championships were not finished. By 31 August 1939, after some 12 games, Ruch was the leader of the 10-team League. Last games of this summer occurred on 20 August. Then, a break was planned, because the National Team was going to play a few international friendlies. Games were to be re-introduced on 10 September.

This is the list of the ten teams that participated in last, historic games for championships of interwar Poland. Teams are presented according to their position on the table, as of 31 August 1939:

  1. Ruch Chorzów
  2. Wisła Kraków
  3. Pogoń Lwów
  4. AKS Chorzów
  5. Warta Poznań
  6. Cracovia
  7. Polonia Warsaw
  8. Garbarnia Kraków
  9. Warszawianka Warsaw
  10. Union Touring Łódź

After World War II edit

As a result of the Second World War, the borders of Poland changed significantly. Lwów, one of the centers of Polish football (with such teams as Pogoń Lwów, Czarni Lwów and Lechia Lwów) was annexed by Soviet Union and all these teams ceased to exist. Lwów's football officials and players moved westwards, creating such clubs as Polonia Bytom, Odra Opole and Pogoń Szczecin (see: Recovered Territories). Another important center, Wilno (with the team Śmigły Wilno), was also annexed by the Soviets (see: Polish areas annexed by the Soviet Union). In exchange, Poland gained a large swath of formerly German territory in particular in Silesia, with its capital Wrocław (home of double champion Śląsk Wrocław) and towns such as Zabrze (home of 14-times champion Górnik Zabrze), Bytom (home of champions Polonia Bytom and Szombierki Bytom) and Lubin (home of double champion Zagłębie Lubin). 18 teams played in the league between seasons of 1992 and 1998.

1950's edit

The Ekstraklasa underwent significant changes during the 1950s, reflecting the turbulent political and social landscape of post-World War II Poland. The Ekstraklasa was officially established as the top division of Polish football. It replaced the previous Polish Football Championship, which had been in existence since the 1920s. The inaugural season of the Ekstraklasa featured eight teams from various Polish cities, including Warsaw, Krakow, Gdynia, and others. Ruch Chorzów became the first champions of the newly formed league, winning the title in the 1950 season. Throughout these years, the league format remained relatively stable, with the same number of teams participating each season. Legia Warsaw asserted its dominance during this period, winning three consecutive Ekstraklasa titles in 1951, 1952, and 1953. The Ekstraklasa expanded its format, increasing the number of teams from eight to ten for the 1954 season. Gwardia Warsaw won their first and only Ekstraklasa title during this season. The league continued with ten teams participating in the competition over the next three seasons. Górnik Zabrze emerged as the dominant force, securing three consecutive league titles in 1955, 1956, and 1957. The Ekstraklasa expanded once more, growing to include 12 teams for the 1958 season. Legia Warsaw regained its position at the top, clinching the league title in this year. The league contracted back to ten teams for the 1959 season. Górnik Zabrze returned to their winning ways, capturing the league title for the fourth time in the decade. Overall, the 1950s marked a period of consolidation and growth for the Ekstraklasa. Despite being a relatively young league, it experienced a stable format and saw some clubs begin to assert their dominance. This era laid the groundwork for further developments and successes in the coming decades.

1960's edit

The Ekstraklasa continued with ten teams participating in the competition, maintaining the same format as the previous season. Górnik Zabrze extended their dominance, securing their fifth league title in a decade. The league expanded its format once again, this time to 12 teams for the 1961 season. Legia Warsaw reclaimed the top spot, winning the league title. Over these two seasons, the league maintained the same 12-team format. Górnik Zabrze returned to their winning ways, clinching two more league titles in 1962 and 1963. The Ekstraklasa reduced the number of teams from 12 to 10 for the 1964 season. Górnik Zabrze continued their exceptional run, securing the league title yet again. The league featured ten teams throughout these seasons. Polonia Bytom enjoyed a successful period, winning back-to-back league titles in 1965 and 1966. The Ekstraklasa expanded to include 14 teams for both the 1967 and 1968 seasons. Legia Warsaw reestablished their dominance, clinching two league titles in consecutive years. The league contracted back to 12 teams for the 1969 season. Ruch Chorzów returned to their winning form, capturing the league title. Overall, the 1960s saw the Ekstraklasa continue to evolve and grow, with various changes to the number of participating teams. Górnik Zabrze and Legia Warsaw remained dominant forces, but other clubs like Polonia Bytom and Ruch Chorzów also had their moments of success. The decade was marked by competitive football and showcased the emergence of new talents in the Polish football landscape.

1970's edit

The 1970s were a significant period in the history of the Ekstraklasa. During this decade, Polish football experienced both domestic and international success, with several teams and players leaving their mark on the league. In the early 1970s, Ruch Chorzów and Górnik Zabrze were dominant forces in the Ekstraklasa. Ruch Chorzów secured back-to-back championships in the 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons. Górnik Zabrze, on the other hand, had already established themselves as a powerhouse, having won numerous league titles in the 1960s, and continued to be competitive throughout the 1970s. The mid-1970s saw the emergence of another strong contender, Widzew Łódź. They clinched their first Ekstraklasa title in the 1975-76 season, breaking the monopoly of Ruch Chorzów and Górnik Zabrze. Widzew Łódź's success signaled a shift in the balance of power within the league. Meanwhile, Legia Warsaw, one of Poland's most successful clubs, experienced a resurgence in the late 1970s. They secured Ekstraklasa titles in the 1976-77 and 1978-79 seasons, adding to their already impressive trophy cabinet. Legia Warsaw also made notable achievements in European competitions during this period. On the international stage, Polish football gained global recognition with the national team's success in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Several players from Ekstraklasa clubs were key contributors to the national team's historic third-place finish, further enhancing the league's reputation. In summary, the 1970s were a dynamic and competitive era in the history of the Ekstraklasa. The decade witnessed the continued success of established clubs like Górnik Zabrze and Ruch Chorzów, the rise of new contenders like Widzew Łódź, and the resurgence of Legia Warsaw. Additionally, the international achievements of the Polish national team added to the prestige of the Ekstraklasa during this period.

1980's edit

The 1980s were a tumultuous and challenging period for the Ekstraklasa. The decade was marked by political unrest, economic difficulties, and a decline in the overall performance of Polish football on both domestic and international fronts. One of the defining moments of the 1980s was the imposition of martial law in Poland in 1981. This had a profound impact on the country's football landscape, disrupting the regular functioning of the Ekstraklasa and leading to the suspension of the league for a brief period. Amidst the political turmoil, certain football clubs managed to assert their dominance in the league. Widzew Łódź continued their success from the late 1970s into the early 1980s, clinching Ekstraklasa titles in the 1980-81 and 1981-82 seasons. Their consistency during this period showcased their resilience in challenging circumstances. Górnik Zabrze and Legia Warsaw remained competitive but faced increased challenges, both domestically and in European competitions. The economic difficulties in Poland had an impact on the financial stability of football clubs, affecting their ability to attract and retain top talent. The latter part of the 1980s witnessed a shift in power, with Lech Poznań emerging as a dominant force in the Ekstraklasa. Lech Poznań secured consecutive league titles in the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons. Their success brought a new chapter to the league, with fresh faces making an impact on the domestic football scene. Despite the challenges at the club level, the Polish national team achieved a notable milestone in the 1980s. They finished in 3rd place at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, showcasing the resilience of Polish football despite the adverse conditions. In summary, the 1980s were a challenging period for the Ekstraklasa, marked by political and economic difficulties that impacted the overall state of Polish football. While certain clubs like Widzew Łódź and Lech Poznań enjoyed success, the era was characterized by a decline in the league's competitive stature compared to previous decades. The challenges faced by clubs in the 1980s set the stage for efforts to revitalize and modernize Polish football in the subsequent years.

1990's edit

The 1990s marked a period of transition and transformation for the Ekstraklasa. The decade witnessed the country's transition to a market economy, which had a profound impact on football, leading to both challenges and opportunities for the league. Lech Poznań continued their success from the late 1980s into the early 1990s, winning the Ekstraklasa title in the 1991-92 season. The club's achievements reflected a certain stability in performance, even as other clubs adapted to the changing economic and football landscape. Widzew Łódź and Legia Warsaw remained competitive during the early 1990s, with Legia achieving success in both domestic and international competitions. Legia Warsaw notably reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup during the 1990-91 season, showcasing the club's resilience on the European stage. The latter part of the decade saw a shift in the balance of power within the Ekstraklasa. Clubs like GKS Katowice, Widzew Łódź, and Wisła Kraków emerged as strong contenders for the league title. Wisła Kraków, in particular, had a successful run in the late 1990s, securing back-to-back Ekstraklasa championships in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. The 1990s also saw the emergence of talented players who would go on to make significant contributions to both the Ekstraklasa and the national team. Despite the challenges posed by economic factors and changes in the football landscape, Polish football experienced a sense of renewal and dynamism in the 1990s. The increased competitiveness within the league and the emergence of new talent laid the groundwork for a more vibrant and evolving Ekstraklasa in the years to come. In summary, the 1990s were a transformative period for the Ekstraklasa, characterized by a changing economic landscape, the emergence of new contenders, and the continued success of established clubs. The decade set the stage for further developments in Polish football, with increased competition and a focus on nurturing young talent.

2000's edit

The 2000s represented a period of continued evolution and competitiveness for the Ekstraklasa. This decade featured a mix of established clubs maintaining their dominance, the emergence of new contenders, and increased efforts to modernize and elevate the overall standard of Polish football. Wisła Kraków continued their success from the late 1990s into the early 2000s, securing multiple Ekstraklasa titles during this period. The club's triumphs in the league, along with their participation in European competitions, contributed to their status as a major force in Polish football. Legia Warsaw also experienced a resurgence, winning the Ekstraklasa title in the 2001-02 and 2005-06 seasons. Their achievements not only showcased their domestic prowess but also marked a return to competitiveness on the European stage. The 2000s witnessed the rise of several other clubs, including Lech Poznań, who secured the Ekstraklasa title in the 2009-10 season. Lech Poznań's success reflected a broader trend of increased parity and competition within the league. Efforts to modernize and professionalize Polish football gained momentum during this decade. The league underwent structural changes, and there were initiatives to improve training facilities, youth development programs, and overall infrastructure. These efforts aimed to enhance the quality of the Ekstraklasa and raise the level of competitiveness. The 2000s also saw the emergence of notable players who left a lasting impact on the league and, in some cases, went on to have successful careers in international football. While the 2000s brought positive developments for Polish football, there were also challenges, including financial struggles for some clubs and occasional incidents of fan violence. These issues highlighted the need for continued efforts to address the various aspects of the football ecosystem. In summary, the 2000s were a period of transition and growth for the Ekstraklasa, marked by the continued success of established clubs, the emergence of new contenders, and efforts to modernize and professionalize Polish football. The decade set the stage for further advancements in the subsequent years, as the league continued to adapt to changing dynamics within the football landscape.

2010's edit

The 2010s brought further changes and developments to the Ekstraklasa. This decade witnessed a continuation of the league's efforts to modernize, increase competitiveness, and enhance the overall quality of Polish football. Legia Warsaw emerged as a dominant force, securing multiple Ekstraklasa titles throughout the decade. Legia not only dominated domestically but also made notable appearances in European competitions, reaching the UEFA Europa League group stages and the UEFA Champions League play-offs. Lech Poznań continued to be a strong contender, winning the Ekstraklasa title in the 2009-10 season and consistently finishing among the top teams in subsequent years. The competition for the championship became more intense, with several clubs vying for the top spot, including Wisła Kraków, Śląsk Wrocław, and Jagiellonia Białystok. The 2010s were marked by a growing emphasis on youth development and the nurturing of homegrown talent within the league. Clubs invested in their academies, and the emergence of young, talented players became a noticeable trend. This focus on youth development aimed to strengthen the national team and contribute to the long-term success of Polish football. Financial stability remained a challenge for some clubs, leading to occasional struggles and changes in ownership. However, the league continued to attract international attention, and the quality of play improved, making the Ekstraklasa a more competitive and entertaining competition. The implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in the later years of the decade aimed to enhance the fairness and accuracy of officiating in the league. This technological advancement reflected the broader trend of incorporating modern tools and practices to improve the overall football experience. On the international stage, Polish football continued to produce talented players who made their mark in European leagues. The national team also achieved notable success, making it to the quarterfinals at UEFA Euro 2016. In summary, the 2010s were a period of continued growth and development for the Ekstraklasa, marked by the dominance of clubs like Legia Warsaw, increased competition, a focus on youth development, and efforts to modernize various aspects of the league. The decade laid the groundwork for further advancements in Polish football as it moved into the 2020s.

Clubs edit

There are 18 clubs in the Ekstraklasa. During the course of the season each club plays the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 34 games. From the 2013–14 till the 2019–20 season, after the 30th round the table was divided into 'champion' (top eight teams) and 'relegation' (bottom eight teams) groups. Each team played seven more games (teams ranked 1–4 and 9–12 would host four games at home). The 2016–17 season was the last when teams started an extra round with half the points (rounded up) achieved during the first phase of 30 matches. The changes extended the season to a total of 296 matches played.[4] The 2021–22 season started with 18 teams, instead of 16.

Clubs as of the 2022–23 season.

Team Location Venue Capacity
Cracovia Kraków Stadion im. Józefa Piłsudskiego 15,114
Górnik Zabrze Zabrze Stadion im. Ernesta Pohla 24,5631
Jagiellonia Białystok Białystok Stadion Jagiellonii 22,432
Korona Kielce Kielce Suzuki Arena (Kielce) 15,500
Lech Poznań Poznań Stadion Poznań 43,269
Lechia Gdańsk Gdańsk Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk 43,615
Legia Warsaw Warsaw Stadion Wojska Polskiego 31,800
Miedź Legnica Legnica Stadion im. Orła Białego 6,156
Piast Gliwice Gliwice Stadion im. Piotra Wieczorka 10,037
Pogoń Szczecin Szczecin Stadion im. Floriana Krygiera 8,9902
Radomiak Radom Radom Stadion Lekkoatletyczno-Piłkarski3 4,072
Raków Częstochowa Częstochowa Miejski Stadion Piłkarski Raków 5,500
Stal Mielec Mielec Stadion Stali Mielec 6,864
Śląsk Wrocław Wrocław Stadion Wrocław 45,105
Warta Poznań Poznań Stadion Dyskobolii Grodzisk Wielkopolski4 5,383
Widzew Łódź Łódż Stadion Widzewa 18,008
Wisła Płock Płock Stadion im. Kazimierza Górskiego 3,5005
Zagłębie Lubin Lubin Stadion Zagłębia Lubin 16,068
  1. ^ Upgrading to 31,871.
  2. ^ Upgrading to 20,500.[5][6]
  3. ^ Due to the renovation of the Stadion im. Braci Czachorów in Radom, Radomiak play their home matches at the Stadion Lekkoatletyczno-Piłkarski in Radom.
  4. ^ Due to the renovation of Warta Poznań Stadium in Poznań, Warta play their home matches at the Stadion Dyskobolii in Grodzisk Wielkopolski.[7]

List of champions edit

°Abandoned due to the preparations of the Poland national team to participate in the 1924 Olympic Football Tournament.
°°Abandoned due to the outbreak of World War II. On 31 August 1939 Ruch Chorzów was the leader.
°°°In 1951, the Polish Football Association decided to give the Champion of Poland title to the winner of the Polish Cup, in order to increase the importance of the re-activated cup competition. Ruch Chorzów was 6th in the league, but won the cup, beating 2-0 Wisła Kraków in the final game. Wisła Kraków was announced the league champion.[8]

Performance by club edit

Note: This list is not synonymous with a list of Polish football champions.
Bold indicates clubs playing in the top division in the 2023–24 season.

Titles Team Year(s)
15
Legia Warsaw 1955, 1956, 1969, 1970, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021
14
Górnik Zabrze 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
Wisła Kraków 1927, 1928, 1949, 1950, 1951,[9] 1978, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011
13 Ruch Chorzów 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1952, 1953, 1960, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1989
8 Lech Poznań 1983, 1984, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2010, 2015, 2022
5 Cracovia 1921, 1930, 1932, 1937, 1948
4 Widzew Łódź 1981, 1982, 1996, 1997
Pogoń Lwów 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926
2 Polonia Warsaw 1946, 2000
Polonia Bytom 1954, 1962
ŁKS Łódź 1958, 1998
Stal Mielec 1973, 1976
Śląsk Wrocław 1977, 2012
Zagłębie Lubin 1991, 2007
Warta Poznań 1929, 1947
1 Garbarnia Kraków 1931
Szombierki Bytom 1980
Piast Gliwice 2019
Raków Częstochowa 2023

The following table lists the league champions by the Polish voivodeship regions (current, valid since 1999).

Region Titles Winning clubs
  Silesia
32
Górnik Zabrze (14), Ruch Chorzów (13), Polonia Bytom (2), Szombierki Bytom (1), Piast Gliwice (1), Raków Częstochowa (1)
  Lesser Poland
20
Wisła Kraków (14), Cracovia (5), Garbarnia Kraków (1)
  Masovia
17
Legia Warsaw (15), Polonia Warsaw (2)
  Greater Poland
10
Lech Poznań (8), Warta Poznań (2)
  Łódź
6
Widzew Łódź (4), ŁKS Łódź (2)
  Lower Silesia
4
Zagłębie Lubin (2), Śląsk Wrocław (2)
  Subcarpathian
2
Stal Mielec (2)

The following table lists the league champions by city.

City Titles Winning clubs
  Kraków
20
Wisła Kraków (14), Cracovia (5), Garbarnia Kraków (1)
  Warsaw
17
Legia Warsaw (15), Polonia Warsaw (2)
  Zabrze
14
Górnik Zabrze (14)
  Chorzów
13
Ruch Chorzów (13)
  Poznań
10
Lech Poznań (8), Warta Poznań (2)
  Łódź
6
Widzew Łódź (4), ŁKS Łódź (2)
  Bytom
3
Polonia Bytom (2), Szombierki Bytom (1)
  Lubin
2
Zagłębie Lubin (2)
  Wrocław
2
Śląsk Wrocław (2)
  Mielec
2
Stal Mielec (2)
  Gliwice
1
Piast Gliwice (1)
  Częstochowa
1
Raków Częstochowa (1)

Honored teams edit

After 10 Polish Championship titles a representative golden star is placed above the team's badge to indicate 10 Polish Championship titles.

The current (as of May 2021) officially sanctioned Championship stars are:

All-time league table edit

The all-time league table consists of all the teams that once participated in the Ekstraklasa. Data from the 19272022–23 seasons.

Source: Tabela wszech czasów 90minut.pl

Pos. Club Seasons Current Level Matches Played Points Total Wins Wins for 3 Points Draws Lossesx Losses for −1 Points Goals scored Goals conceded Goal difference
1 Legia Warsaw 86 1st 2400 3482 1186 516 591 623 3 3999 2523 +1476
2 Wisła Kraków 82 2nd 2231 2927 984 404 559 688 6 3585 2685 +900
3 Górnik Zabrze 65 1st 1914 2453 809 272 545 560 1 2853 2165 +688
4 Ruch Chorzów 77 1st 2067 2428 841 192 555 671 6 3107 2658 +449
5 Lech Poznań 62 1st 1818 2366 743 376 500 575 8 2541 2087 +454
6 ŁKS Łódź 65 1st 1756 1785 604 98 480 672 6 2263 2429 -166
7 Pogoń Szczecin 50 1st 1515 1677 509 229 430 576 7 1809 2025 -216
8 Śląsk Wrocław 44 1st 1371 1591 485 210 407 479 5 1619 1670 -51
9 Widzew Łódź 36 1st 1109 1403 436 190 344 329 6 1439 1291 +148
10 Zagłębie Lubin 34 1st 1091 1401 400 297 306 385 1 1371 1323 +48
11 Cracovia 44 1st 1163 1331 427 204 278 458 1632 1630 +2
12 GKS Katowice 30 2nd 894 1030 321 104 286 287 2 1023 977 +46
13 Lechia Gdańsk 31 2nd 879 1007 293 186 236 350 1 989 1152 -163
14 Polonia Warsaw 31 2nd 800 966 304 180 178 318 1165 1251 -86
15 Zagłębie Sosnowiec 36 2nd 987 918 322 11 267 398 4 1180 1330 -150
16 Polonia Bytom 35 3rd 892 881 289 33 274 328 4 1099 1141 -42
17 Stal Mielec 28 1st 835 835 273 34 258 304 6 940 983 -43
18 Jagiellonia Białystok 20 1st 661 822 228 203 180 253 7 793 922 -129
19 Korona Kielce 15 1st 503 658 172 172 142 189 596 679 -83
20 Szombierki Bytom 25 5th 702 645 235 180 287 5 875 999 -124
21 Piast Gliwice 13 1st 447 632 173 173 113 161 548 541 +7
22 Wisła Płock 16 2nd 516 620 168 160 124 224 613 759 -146
23 Warta Poznań 21 1st 508 553 213 36 91 204 946 838 +108
24 Gwardia Warszawa 23 not existing 572 539 195 149 228 682 764 -82
25 Odra Wodzisław Śląski 14 5th 418 529 145 145 94 179 487 570 -83
26 Odra Opole 22 2nd 564 523 182 159 223 645 740 -95
27 Arka Gdynia 16 2nd 508 510 144 75 147 217 522 667 -45
28 Amica Wronki 11 not existing 332 498 135 135 93 104 452 370 +82
29 GKS Bełchatów 12 4th 375 486 130 130 96 149 422 463 -41
30 Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski 10 not existing 294 441 124 124 69 101 420 357 +63
31 Raków Częstochowa 8 1st 271 392 112 103 65 94 340 321 +19
32 Zawisza Bydgoszcz 14 4th 430 376 126 26 98 206 461 651 -190
32 Garbarnia Kraków 15 4th 315 306 121 64 130 561 561
34 Pogoń Lwów 13 abroad 273 304 130 44 99 537 439 +98
35 Stomil Olsztyn 8 3rd 254 296 76 69 75 103 255 339 -84
36 Górnik Łęczna 8 2nd 257 276 70 70 66 121 260 391 -131
37 Olimpia Poznań
Lechia/Olimpia Gdańsk
9 not existing 284 260 78 11 98 104 10 308 376 -68
38 Stal Rzeszów 11 2nd 290 255 79 97 114 297 377 -80
39 Hutnik Kraków 7 3rd 234 254 75 23 81 78 299 284 +15
40 KS Warszawianka 13 not existing 271 227 90 47 134 427 612 -185
41 Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała 6 2nd 201 222 54 54 60 87 225 310 -85
40 Motor Lublin 9 2nd 274 220 70 92 112 12 259 372 -113
42 AKS Chorzów 10 not existing 192 196 80 36 76 336 307 +29
43 Bałtyk Gdynia 7 5th 210 186 64 1 61 85 4 184 247 -56
44 ROW Rybnik 7 4th 198 165 50 65 83 165 233 -78
45 Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza 4 2nd 145 156 39 39 39 67 149 227 -78
46 Rymer Niedobczyce
Górnik Radlin
9 7th
6th
188 155 58 39 91 238 344 -106
47 Górnik Wałbrzych 6 5th 180 154 53 2 55 73 7 190 243 -53
48 Zagłębie Wałbrzych 6 7th 160 142 50 42 68 131 166 -35
49 Czarni Lwów 7 not existing 164 141 56 29 79 265 326 -61
50 Sokół Pniewy
Sokół Tychy
4 6th 136 130 36 16 42 58 128 190 -62
51 Polonia Bydgoszcz 7 6th 156 129 47 35 74 186 296 -110
52 Radomiak Radom 3 1st 98 117 31 23 32 35 105 113 -8
53 Ruch Radzionków 3 5th 90 109 30 30 19 41 105 135 -30
54 Stal Stalowa Wola 4 3rd 132 103 32 1 44 56 113 173 -60
55 1. FC Katowice 3 8th 78 88 39 10 29 164 143 +21
56 GKS Tychy 3 2nd 90 86 28 30 32 105 113 -8
57 Klub Turystów Łódź
Union Touring Łódź
4 not existing 90 76 32 12 46 149 212 -63
58 KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski 3 4th 92 71 18 18 17 57 73 147 -74
59 Siarka Tarnobrzeg 3 4th 102 65 19 3 24 59 88 169 -81
60 Arkonia Szczecin 4 6th 88 64 20 24 44 100 166 -66
61 Miedź Legnica 2 2nd 71 63 14 14 21 36 73 120 -47
62 Śląsk Świętochłowice 3 5th 66 45 19 7 40 84 166 -82
63 Unia Racibórz 2 5th 52 38 14 10 28 77 126 -49
64 Hasmonea Lwów 2 not existing 54 38 14 10 30 98 149 -51
65 Wawel Kraków 2 8th 32 37 13 11 8 50 36 +14
66 Igloopol Dębica 2 5th 64 37 9 19 36 43 121 -78
67 Strzelec 22 Siedlce 3 not existing 64 36 14 8 42 84 169 -85
68 Sandecja Nowy Sącz 1 3rd 37 33 6 6 15 16 34 54 -20
69 Szczakowianka Jaworzno 1 5th 30 32 8 8 8 14 40 54 -14
70 RKS Radomsko 1 5th 28 31 7 7 10 11 23 34 -11
71 TKS Toruń 2 not existing 54 30 13 4 37 84 185 -101
72 Podgórze Kraków 2 7th 42 27 11 5 26 56 103 -47
74 Górnik Polkowice 1 3rd 26 23 6 6 5 15 17 37 -20
75 Tarnovia Tarnów 1 6th 26 22 10 2 14 42 48 -6
76 Świt Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki 1 4th 26 22 5 5 7 14 21 42 -21
77 GKS Jastrzębie 1 3rd 30 19 8 8 14 5 24 43 +19
78 Dąb Katowice 2 not existing 36 14 7 29 29 97 -68
79 ŁTS-G Łódź 1 not existing 22 12 3 6 13 25 67 -42
80 Śmigły Wilno 1 not existing 18 11 5 1 12 29 50 -21
81 Jutrzenka Kraków 1 not existing 26 11 3 5 18 41 82 -41
82 Lechia Lwów 1 not existing 22 11 5 1 16 23 66 -43

From 1927 to 2023 a total of 82 teams contested in the Ekstraklasa.

Bold- indicates teams currently playing in the Ekstraklasa 2023–24 season (except for Puszcza Niepołomice, who just became the 83rd club contesting in Ekstraklasa).

Explanation edit

1. An equal number of points on the basis of their goal difference, then greater number of goals scored.
2. In seasons 19271994–95 for a win awarded 2 points and 1 point for a draw. In seasons 1986–871989–90 for win at least three goals difference additionally awarded 1 point, while a losses at least 3 goals difference subtracted one point. Since the season 1995–96 for win gives 3 points and 1 point for a draw.
3. Included additional qualification games between both teams and league championship and remain in the league (including 11 games in 1948, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89) and was not included in the table play-off for the right to play in the league between teams of different class divisions.
4. Included matches with unfinished 1939 season.

Penalty points edit

Includes penalties imposed by the Football Association:

Mergers and acquisitions teams edit

With the following mergers and acquisitions teams:

Top goalscorers edit

Year Tally Player Club
1927 37 goals   Henryk Reyman Wisła Kraków
1928 28 goals   Ludwik Gintel Cracovia
1929 25 goals   Rochus Nastula Czarni Lwów
1930 24 goals   Karol Kossok Cracovia
1931 24 goals   Walerian Kisieliński Wisła Kraków
1932 16 goals   Kajetan Kryszkiewicz Warta Poznań
1933 19 goals   Artur Woźniak Wisła Kraków
1934 33 goals   Ernst Wilimowski Ruch Hajduki Wielkie
1935 22 goals   Michał Matyas Pogoń Lwów
1936 18 goals   Teodor Peterek
  Ernst Wilimowski
Ruch Hajduki Wielkie
Ruch Hajduki Wielkie
1937 12 goals   Artur Woźniak Wisła Kraków
1938 21 goals   Teodor Peterek Ruch Hajduki Wielkie
1939 12 goals   Ernst Wilimowski Ruch Hajduki Wielkie
1948 31 goals   Józef Kohut Wisła Kraków
1949 20 goals   Teodor Anioła Lech Poznań
1950 21 goals   Teodor Anioła Lech Poznań
1951 20 goals   Teodor Anioła Lech Poznań
1952 11 goals   Gerard Cieślik Ruch Chorzów
1953 24 goals   Gerard Cieślik Ruch Chorzów
1954 13 goals   Henryk Kempny
  Ernst Pohl
Polonia Bytom
Legia Warsaw
1955 16 goals   Stanisław Hachorek Gwardia Warsaw
1956 21 goals   Henryk Kempny Legia Warsaw
1957 19 goals   Lucjan Brychczy Legia Warsaw
1958 19 goals   Władysław Soporek ŁKS Łódź
1959 21 goals   Jan Liberda
  Ernst Pohl
Polonia Bytom
Górnik Zabrze
1960 17 goals   Marian Norkowski Polonia Bydgoszcz
1961 24 goals   Ernst Pohl Górnik Zabrze
1962 16 goals   Jan Liberda Polonia Bytom
1963 18 goals   Marian Kielec Pogoń Szczecin
1964 18 goals   Lucjan Brychczy
  Józef Gałeczka
  Jerzy Wilim
Legia Warsaw
Zagłębie Sosnowiec
Szombierki Bytom
1965 18 goals   Lucjan Brychczy Legia Warsaw
1966 23 goals   Włodzimierz Lubański Górnik Zabrze
1967 18 goals   Włodzimierz Lubański Górnik Zabrze
1968 24 goals   Włodzimierz Lubański Górnik Zabrze
1969 22 goals   Włodzimierz Lubański Górnik Zabrze
1970 18 goals   Andrzej Jarosik Zagłębie Sosnowiec
1971 13 goals   Andrzej Jarosik Zagłębie Sosnowiec
1972 16 goals   Ryszard Szymczak Gwardia Warsaw
1973 13 goals   Grzegorz Lato Stal Mielec
1974 15 goals   Zdzisław Kapka Wisła Kraków
1975 19 goals   Grzegorz Lato Stal Mielec
1976 20 goals   Kazimierz Kmiecik Wisła Kraków
1977 17 goals   Włodzimierz Mazur Zagłębie Sosnowiec
1978 15 goals   Kazimierz Kmiecik Wisła Kraków
1979 17 goals   Kazimierz Kmiecik Wisła Kraków
1980 24 goals   Kazimierz Kmiecik Wisła Kraków
1981 18 goals   Krzysztof Adamczyk Legia Warsaw
1982 15 goals   Grzegorz Kapica Szombierki Bytom
1983 15 goals   Mirosław Okoński
  Mirosław Tłokiński
Lech Poznań
Widzew Łódź
1984 14 goals   Włodzimierz Ciołek Górnik Wałbrzych
1985 14 goals   Leszek Iwanicki Motor Lublin
1986 20 goals   Andrzej Zgutczyński Górnik Zabrze
1987 24 goals   Marek Leśniak Pogoń Szczecin
1988 20 goals   Dariusz Dziekanowski Legia Warsaw
1989 24 goals   Krzysztof Warzycha Ruch Chorzów
1990 18 goals   Andrzej Juskowiak Lech Poznań
1991 21 goals   Tomasz Dziubiński Wisła Kraków
1992 20 goals   Jerzy Podbrożny
  Mirosław Waligóra
Lech Poznań
Hutnik Kraków
1993 25 goals   Jerzy Podbrożny Lech Poznań
1994 21 goals   Zenon Burzawa Sokół Pniewy
1995 16 goals   Bogusław Cygan Stal Mielec
1996 29 goals   Marek Koniarek Widzew Łódź
1997 18 goals   Mirosław Trzeciak ŁKS Łódź
1998 14 goals   Arkadiusz Bąk
  Sylwester Czereszewski
  Mariusz Śrutwa
Polonia Warsaw
Legia Warsaw
Ruch Chorzów
1999 21 goals   Tomasz Frankowski Wisła Kraków
2000 19 goals   Adam Kompała Górnik Zabrze
2001 18 goals   Tomasz Frankowski Wisła Kraków
2002 21 goals   Maciej Żurawski Wisła Kraków
2003 24 goals   Stanko Svitlica Legia Warsaw
2004 20 goals   Maciej Żurawski Wisła Kraków
2005 25 goals   Tomasz Frankowski Wisła Kraków
2006 21 goals   Grzegorz Piechna Korona Kielce
2007 15 goals   Piotr Reiss Lech Poznań
2008 23 goals   Paweł Brożek Wisła Kraków
2009 19 goals   Paweł Brożek
  Takesure Chinyama
Wisła Kraków
Legia Warsaw
2010 18 goals   Robert Lewandowski Lech Poznań
2011 14 goals   Tomasz Frankowski Jagiellonia Białystok
2012 22 goals     Artjoms Rudņevs Lech Poznań
2013 14 goals   Róbert Demjan Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała
2014 22 goals   Marcin Robak Piast Gliwice
Pogoń Szczecin
2015 20 goals   Kamil Wilczek Piast Gliwice
2016 28 goals     Nemanja Nikolić Legia Warsaw
2017 18 goals   Marco Paixão
  Marcin Robak
Lechia Gdańsk
Lech Poznań
2018 24 goals   Carlitos Wisła Kraków
2019 24 goals   Igor Angulo Górnik Zabrze
2020 24 goals   Christian Gytkjær Lech Poznań
2021 22 goals   Tomáš Pekhart Legia Warsaw
2022 20 goals   Ivi López Raków Częstochowa
2023 16 goals   Marc Gual Jagiellonia Białystok

Players edit

Transfers records edit

Transfers from Ekstraklasa edit

# Player From To Season Fee
1   Jakub Moder Lech Poznań   Brighton & Hove Albion 2020/2021 11,00 mln €
  Kacper Kozlowski Pogoń Szczecin 2021/2022
3   Ernest Muci Legia Warsaw   Beşiktaş J.K. 2023/2024 10,00 mln €
  Jakub Kamiński Lech Poznań   VfL Wolfsburg 2022/2023
5   Radoslaw Majecki Legia Warsaw   AS Monaco 2019/2020 7,00 mln €
6   Michał Skóraś Lech Poznań   Club Brugge KV 2023/2024 6,00 mln €
  Jan Bednarek   Southampton F.C. 2017/2018
8   Sebastian Szymański Legia Warsaw   Dynamo Moscow 2019/2020 5,5 mln €
9   Adrian Mierzejewski Polonia Warsaw   Trabzonspor 2011/2012 5,25 mln €
10   Bartosz Białek Zagłębie Lubin   VfL Wolfsburg 2020/2021 5,00 mln €
  Kamil Piątkowski Raków Częstochowa   FC Red Bull Salzburg 2021/2022
  Bartosz Kapustka Cracovia   Leicester City F.C. 2016/2017
  Maik Nawrocki Legia Warsaw   Celtic F.C. 2023/2024

Transfers to Ekstraklasa edit

# Player From To Season Fee
1   Ali Gholizadeh   Royal Charleroi S.C. Lech Poznań 2023/2024 1,80 mln €
2   John Yeboah Śląsk Wrocław Raków Częstochowa 2023/2024 1,50 mln €
  Maik Nawrocki   SV Werder Bremen II Legia Warsaw 2022/2023
  Bartosz Slisz Zagłębie Lubin 2022/2023
5   Ante Crnac   NK Slaven Belupo Raków Częstochowa 2023/2024 1,30 mln €
   Lirim Kastrati   Dinamo Zagreb Legia Warsaw 2021/2022
7   Afonso Sousa   B-SAD Lech Poznań 2022/2023 1,20 mln €
  Adriel Ba Loua   FC Viktoria Plzeň 2021/2022
  Virgil Ghiță   FCV Farul Constanța Cracovia 2021/2022
10   Kristoffer Velde   FK Haugesund Lech Poznań 2021/2022 1,10 mln €

League presidents edit

Nr. League President Term
from to
1. Roman Górecki 1 March 1927 January 1929
2. Ignacy Izdebski January 1929 16 January 1933
3. Zygmunt Żołędziowski 16 January 1933 17 January 1936
4. Juliusz Geib 17 January 1936 30 August 1936
5. Michał Jaroszyński 30 August 1936 Fall 1938
6. Karol Stefan Rudolf Fall 1938 17 September 1939
7. Tadeusz Dręgiewicz 10 August 1946 18 August 1946
- League Suspended 18 August 1946 22 February 1947
- VP PZPN for League 22 February 1947 14 June 2005
8. Michał Tomczak 14 June 2005 29 November 2005
9. Andrzej Rusko 29 November 2005 14 March 2012
10. Bogusław Biszof 1 September 2012 30 June 2015
11. Dariusz Marzec 1 July 2015 9 October 2017
12. Marcin Animucki 9 October 2017 present

Corruption scandal edit

Several clubs have been involved in a corruption scandal and were/are in danger of relegation:

  • Arka Gdynia – relegated from 1st to 2nd division, −5 points at the start of 2007/08 season
  • Cracovia – –5 points at the start of the 2020–21 season, fine of 1,000,000 zloty.[11]
  • Górnik Łęczna – relegated from 1st to 3rd division, −6 points at the start of 2007/08 season
  • Górnik Polkowice – 70 000 zł penalty, relegated from 2nd to 4th division, −6 points at the start of 2007/08 season
  • Jagiellonia Białystok – docked 10 points at the start of the 2009/10 season, fine of 300,000 zloty
  • KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski – relegated from 2nd to 3rd division, – 6 points at the start of 2007/08 season
  • Zagłębie Sosnowiec – at the end of 2007/08 they were relegated from the top division to the 3rd, as they finished the season in the relegation zone, plus one division lower due to corruption.
  • Korona Kielce – at the end of 2007/08 they were relegated one level lower due to corruption.
  • Zagłębie Lubin (Polish champion 2006–2007) – at the end of 2007/08 they were relegated one level lower due to corruption.

Statistics edit

UEFA coefficients edit

The following data indicates Polish coefficient rankings between European football leagues.[12]

Television edit

All matches from the 2011–12 are telecast live nationally by Canal+ Poland. From 2019–20 Telewizja Polska has the rights to air live 1 game per week on a non-scrambled channel.

See also edit

Notes edit


References edit

  1. ^ "History". Polish Football Association. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  2. ^ "PKO Bank Polski partnerem tytularnym Ekstraklasy" (in Polish). ekstraklasa.org. 28 June 2019. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  3. ^ "PKO BP sponsorem tytularnym piłkarskiej Ekstraklasy" (in Polish). tvp.info. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  4. ^ Rewolucyjne zmiany w T-Mobile Ekstraklasie. Archived 8 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine onet.pl
  5. ^ "Masz karnet i nie możesz przyjść na mecz? Zwolnij miejsce dla innego kibica!" (in Polish). Pogoń Szczecin. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Stadion Pogoń Szczecin. Trwa przesuwanie murawy na płycie boiska". muratorplus.pl (in Polish). 17 July 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Warta Poznań awansowała do ekstraklasy, ale będzie grać nadal w Grodzisku. Dlaczego?" (in Polish). Głos Wielkopolski. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  8. ^ "History". wisla.krakow.pl. Archived from the original on 14 September 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  9. ^ Wisła is the 1951 Ekstraklasa champion, albeit not the Polish Champion (as the following title was won by Ruch Chorzów).
    "History". wisla.krakow.pl. Archived from the original on 14 September 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  10. ^ Cracovia otrzymała pięć ujemnych punktów za korupcję! Musi też zapłacić 1 mln złotych (in Polish). Gol24.pl. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Cracovia ukarana odjęciem pięciu punktów". 90minut.pl (in Polish). 27 July 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  12. ^ "UEFA European Cup Coefficients Database". Bert Kassies. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  13. ^ "UEFA Country Ranking 2021 – kassiesA – Xs4all".
  14. ^ "Club coefficients".

External links edit