Moldovan Championship Kicks Off Early in New Format — One of the First in Europe

While most European leagues are still preparing for the new season and many clubs haven't even returned from vacation, football is already back in Moldova today, June 21. On Saturday, June 22, Tiraspol’s Sheriff — featuring Armenia national team striker Artur Serobyan — will play their first match of the new season against Politehnica.

Format Changes
The Moldovan Super Liga has undergone structural changes for the 2025/26 season. The league still features 8 teams, but the calendar has become more intense:

• The season now starts in June instead of August as it did last year.

• The first stage has been extended from 14 to 21 rounds.

• The second stage will again follow a playoff format with the top 6 teams, consisting of 10 matchdays.

• The total number of matches per season will increase from 24 to 31.

Serobyan Ready for a New Challenge

Artur Serobyan continues to play for Sheriff on loan from Ararat-Armenia. The agreement runs until December 2025 and includes a purchase option. The 21-year-old forward joined the Tiraspol club in winter 2025 and finished the previous season with 2 goals and 6 assists.

European Cups Ahead
In July, Sheriff will kick off their UEFA Europa League campaign. In the first round, Serobyan’s team will face Kosovo’s Prishtina (July 10 and 17). If they win, the Moldovan champions will meet the Dutch side Utrecht in the second round.