The BOV Challenge League, will replace the First Division, will kick-off this weekend with matches from Match Day 1.

Taking part this season are fifteen clubs – the teams which took part in the BOV First Division last season (except for Zejtun Corinthians and Lija Athletic who were promoted to the Premier League) and the three newly-promoted sides from the BOV Second Division – Marsa, Marsaxlokk and San Gwann.

Marsa will definitely start as one of the main favourites for promotion after signing a host of players with vast Premier League experience like Jonathan Bondin, Jackson de Lima, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Leighton Grech, Dylan Grima, Manolito Micallef, Paulo Henrique Santos de Azevedo and goalkeeper Nicky Vella amongst others.

However a number of other clubs are expected to challenge for promotion like Qrendi, Naxxar Lions, Pembroke Athleta, St. Andrews and Zebbug Rangers who were within close distance to the Zejtun and Lija last season.

The top two teams will be promoted while the club finishing third will face the team finishing twelfth in the Premier League in the Premier League Play-Off. The bottom five teams will be relegated to the National Amateur League. 

As from 2021/22, the Challenge League will be made up of sixteen teams with the top two being promoted, the third taking part in the Play-Off and the bottom four teams relegated to the National Amateur League.

BOV Challenge League matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium, Victor Tedesco Stadium and Luxol Stadium.

For the time being, matches will be played behind closed doors.

Fri 25-Sep	St. Andrews vs Fgura United	19:30	Luxol Stadium
Sat 26-Sep	Zebbug Rangers vs Mqabba	17:00	Victor Tedesco Stadium
Sat 26-Sep	Swieqi United vs St. George’s	21:15	Victor Tedesco Stadium
Sun 27-Sep	Qormi vs Naxxar Lions	17:00	Centenary Stadium
Sun 27-Sep	Pembroke Athleta vs Pieta’ Hotspurs	17:00	Victor Tedesco Stadium
Sun 27-Sep	San Gwann vs Qrendi	21:15	Centenary Stadium
Sun 27-Sep	Marsa vs Vittoriosa Stars	21:15	Victor Tedesco Stadium