Ekstraklasa releases 2026/27 fixture list: Lech starts title defence against Cracovia, six Kraków derbies scheduled

The Polish Ekstraklasa has published its full fixture list for the 2026/27 season, with the opening round scheduled for the weekend of 24–26 July 2026. Defending champions Lech Poznań will begin their title defence at home against Cracovia on Saturday 25 July, a repeat of the previous season's opener that ended in a 1-4 defeat for the Poznań side.

Opening weekend highlights

The first round features nine matches spread across the weekend. Wisła Kraków, returning to the top flight, will host GKS Katowice at Stadion im. Henryka Reymana, making them the only one of the three promoted clubs to start at home. Śląsk Wrocław travel to Górnik Zabrze, while Wieczysta Kraków play their first-ever Ekstraklasa match away at Radomiak Radom. Other notable fixtures include Pogoń Szczecin versus Legia Warszawa and Raków Częstochowa against Wisła Płock.

“Przy tworzeniu terminarza łącznie uwzględniliśmy 116 uwag. Chciałbym z tego miejsca podziękować wszystkim klubom za profesjonalną współpracę.”

European qualifiers and scheduling

Five Polish clubs will participate in European qualifiers during the summer of 2026, including two in the Champions League. As a result, Lech Poznań and Górnik Zabrze are confirmed for Saturday 25 July, while Raków Częstochowa and GKS Katowice will play on Sunday 26 July. Clubs involved in European competition have the option to postpone two league matches, one during qualifying rounds 1–3 and one between the two legs of the decisive play-off round. Matchday 5 features four of the five European participants facing each other, with Raków hosting Górnik Zabrze and Lech welcoming Jagiellonia Białystok; if postponed, those fixtures would be rescheduled for 1–2 September.

The Kraków challenge

Coordinating three Kraków-based clubs sharing two closely located stadiums posed a logistical challenge. The fixture list was designed so that Wieczysta's home matches do not clash with Wisła's, with the exception of two spring matchdays when both will play at home on Reymonta Street during the same round. An August window will see both clubs play away in matchdays 4 and 5 due to a Sanah concert. For safety reasons, no two Kraków clubs will host matches on the same day.

“Ze względów logistycznych oraz bezpieczeństwa nie dojdzie do sytuacji, aby dwa kluby z Krakowa zagrały domowe mecze tego samego dnia.”

Key dates and derbies

The autumn round runs for 18 matchdays and concludes on 14 December 2026. After the winter break, play resumes on 29–30 January 2027, with the final matchday set for Saturday 22 May 2027. All matchdays are scheduled for weekends, with no midweek rounds planned. The season will feature six Kraków derbies: the first, between Cracovia and Wieczysta, takes place on matchday 5 (22 August), followed by Wisła versus Wieczysta on matchday 6 (29–30 August). The Wielkie Derby Krakowa, Wisła against Cracovia, is set for matchday 14. A special centenary round on matchday 27 (3–4 April 2027) will mark 100 years since the first league matchday in Polish football history, featuring Wisła Kraków against Legia Warszawa, the only two current Ekstraklasa clubs that competed in the inaugural 1927 season.

Relegation and European spots

Three teams will be relegated at the end of the season. Up to five clubs can qualify for European competitions in 2027/28, covering positions 1–5 provided the Polish Cup winner finishes among them. The season structure mirrors the previous campaign, with 18 teams playing 34 matchdays.