Regular session of the FFA executive committee held: 10 teams to participate in the new VBET Armenian Premier League season
On July 9, the regular session of the Executive Committee of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) took place. A number of important decisions were made, particularly concerning the participating teams of the VBET Armenian Premier League, the First League, the VBET Armenian Cup, and the confirmation of a new member of the FFA Executive Committee.
BKMA to Join Premier League
The Executive Committee members unanimously voted in favor of BKMA’s participation in the upcoming VBET Armenian Premier League season. All current Premier League clubs had also expressed support for this decision. It's considered especially important that BKMA players — many of whom are members of Armenia’s youth and U21 national teams — gain experience playing at a higher level against stronger opponents, contributing to their development.
Shirak withdraws, Noravank approved to Join
FC Shirak had failed to notify the FFA in advance about their decision not to participate in the upcoming Premier League season. As a result, the 2021/22 season format was designed for 10 teams.
To preserve this format, the FFA Executive Committee was presented with a proposal to approve Noravank FC as a Premier League participant.
Although Noravank FC did not have a National License for participation in the Premier League, the FFA considered several valid reasons for their inclusion:
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Licensing Requirements: Noravank missed the license by only one criterion — the number of required youth teams. However, the club is expected to meet this criterion by the start of the new FFA youth tournaments in September.
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Regional Representation: Noravank is a regional club based in Vayots Dzor and will play in its own artificial turf stadium in Vayk, with plans to renovate the natural grass stadium in Yeghegnadzor. Supporting regional football remains a key FFA priority.
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League Format: A 10-team, 4-round league format is preferred to ensure no team sits out any matchday — an essential structural consideration.
Taking all this into account, the FFA Executive Committee unanimously voted to approve Noravank FC’s participation in the 2021/22 Premier League season.
Premier League 2021/22: 10 Participating Teams
The following clubs will take part in the 2021/22 VBET Armenian Premier League: Alashkert, Noah, Urartu, Ararat, Ararat-Armenia, Van, Pyunik, Sevan, BKMA, Noravank
The tournament will be played in 4 rounds.
Armenian First League: 7 Teams Confirmed
Discussions also covered the Armenian First League. As BKMA has now moved to the Premier League, the FFA decided to form a BKMA-2 team to participate in the First League. This squad will mainly consist of Armenia’s U19 national team players, with the possibility of including the best players from the U18 team (born in 2004).
Despite FC Shirak submitting their confirmation of participation late, the FFA Executive Committee decided to allow their participation, valuing Shirak’s representation of Gyumri in Armenian football.
Thus, 7 teams will participate in the 2021/22 Armenian First League: Lernayin Artsakh, Shirak, BKMA-2, Ararat-Armenia-2, Urartu-2, Pyunik Academy, Alashkert-2
The competition will be held in 5 rounds.
VBET Armenian Cup Format Approved
The number of participating teams and the format of the VBET Armenian Cup were also confirmed. A total of 12 teams will part
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Starting from the Round of 16: Ararat-Armenia. Van, Pyunik, Sevan, BKMA, Noravank, Lernayin Artsakh, Shirak.
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Joining at the Quarter-Final Stage (Top 4 from previous Premier League season): Alashkert, Noah, Urartu, Ararat.
Regulations Approved
The Executive Committee members unanimously approved the following FFA regulations:
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FFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players
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FFA Safety and Security Regulations
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FFA Infrastructure Regulations
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FFA Professional Competitions Regulations
All documents will be published soon on the official FFA website.
Sardarapat FC to Lease Armavir Sports School
The final agenda item concerned Sardarapat FC’s proposal regarding the Armavir Sports School. It was decided to sign a contract granting Sardarapat FC a 5-year lease of the facility. If the club completes its investment obligations on time, the lease may be extended by another 10 years. Otherwise, the facility will return to FFA control.
New Executive Committee Member Appointed
The Executive Committee also voted on filling the vacant seat in the FFA Executive Committee. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Chair of the Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth, and Sport of the 7th National Assembly of Armenia, was nominated.
FFA President Armen Melikbekyan emphasized that Mkhitar Hayrapetyan has continuously supported Armenian football over the past two years. The Executive Committee unanimously approved his appointment as a new member.
