V-League 2026/27: Two Direct Relegation Spots Make the Survival Race Fierce from Round 1

The 2026/27 V-League enters a new season with a major change: the number of direct relegation spots has increased to 2 and the playoff match has been removed. That means there is no longer a narrow door for teams finishing 13th or 14th to cling to. Every small mistake could become a death sentence at the end of the season. Right now, the relegation race has already been identified as one of the hottest storylines, with teams such as SLNA, Bac Ninh, Dong Nai, Thanh Hoa and HAGL placed in the danger group. Unlike previous seasons, when the 13th-placed team still had a playoff chance, this season the bottom two teams will be relegated directly. This is a major change that directly affects the strategy of smaller clubs. They cannot wait until the final stage to calculate; they must collect points from the first round. The relegation race has therefore become more brutal than ever, especially for teams with young squads, limited finances or no previous V-League experience. SLNA is the most mentioned name among the teams at risk. Despite having just found a new sponsor, the Vinh-based club could not keep its key players. Michael Olaha, Carlos Fortes, Ngo Van Luong and Vuong Van Huy all left the Nghe An team. This is a huge loss in squad quality, especially in positions that once made a difference. Head coach Van Sy Son admitted the pressure is enormous because the squad is young, financial resources are limited and some foreign players need time to adapt to the V-League. He said: “The pressure on us is huge because the squad is young and financial resources are limited. Some foreign players also need time to adapt to the V-League. Therefore, the whole team must prepare carefully, help new players integrate quickly and try to save points in every match.” That shows SLNA clearly understands its position. They do not have big ambitions; survival is the top priority. SLNA begins the season by hosting newly promoted Bac Ninh in Round 1 of the 2026/27 V-League on September 6 at Vinh Stadium. Their opponent is also one of the teams at risk of relegation this season. This match is therefore like an early reverse final. With the new format and no playoff as a safety net, winning points in Round 1 can have a huge impact on both teams' mentality throughout the season. After winning promotion, Bac Ninh made major changes to their squad. They said goodbye to Huynh Tuan Linh, Truong Van Thiet and Ha Duc Chinh. Meanwhile, the Kinh Bac team recruited Pierre Lamothe, Luong Hoang Nam, Le Tien Anh, Vietnamese-origin midfielder Minh-Kai, Le Van Xuan, Vu Tien Long and goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong. They also invested heavily in foreign players with three Brazilians, notably midfielder Vitao and striker Brenner Marlos. However, Bac Ninh's squad is not outstanding. They lack experience and composure in their first V-League campaign. If they do not accumulate enough points, Hai Huy and his teammates will face a difficult relegation battle. Signing many new players does not necessarily make Bac Ninh stronger, because cohesion and understanding take time. Meanwhile, more experienced teams will know how to exploit a newcomer's weaknesses. Another newcomer, Dong Nai, also faces a difficult season. In their first V-League appearance, the Southeast team have invested strongly in their squad, but still rely heavily on Cong Phuong's form and the leadership of head coach Nguyen Viet Thang. This shows that dependence on one individual can be a double-edged sword. If Cong Phuong suffers an injury or a dip in form, Dong Nai will find it very hard to earn points. Not only the newcomers, but experienced teams like Thanh Hoa and HAGL also need to focus on every round. Despite many years in the V-League, difficulties with squad depth and finances have put both teams in the relegation fight. If they do not remain stable, they could easily take the drop to the First Division next season. The harshness of the new format does not spare anyone, including traditional names. From following relegation-battling teams in recent seasons, I have noticed that sides lacking squad depth often collapse in the middle of the season, when the fixture list becomes congested and injuries begin to appear. With two direct relegation spots, the fight is not limited to the bottom group. Teams in mid-table also feel pressure to win more often. A run of four or five games without a win can send a team from 8th place straight into the red zone. The new format also makes direct matches between relegation rivals even more important — true six-pointers. Round 1 already gives us one such clash between SLNA and Bac Ninh. The match at Vinh Stadium is not only about morale but also has direct value in the relegation race. In particular, the absence of a playoff means the 13th-placed team cannot dream of a one-off rescue match. They must stay consistent all season long. The 2026/27 V-League promises to be not only a title race but also a survival battle. Teams that know how to save points, build stability and maximize chances against direct rivals will have a big advantage. On the other hand, any complacency can cost them their place in the V-League next season. The relegation race has already begun, and Vinh Stadium on September 6 will be where it officially ignites.