Teams
FK Žalgiris Vilnius II
Nevezis
FK Minija
FK Dainava Alytus
Marijampole City
FK Džiugas Telšiai
Lietava Jonava
BFA Vilnius
Banga Gargzdai
FK Riteriai II
FK Vilniaus Vytis
FK Panevėžys II
FK Atmosfera
FK Kruoja
FK Trakai II
Panevezys
FK Silute
FK Palanga
FK Babrungas
FK Neptunas Klaipeda
FK Tauras
FK Kauno Žalgiris II
FK Garliava
FK Ekranas
FK Siauliai II
BE1 NFA
FK Siauliai
Hegelmann Litauen
Banga Gargždai II
FC Stumbras II
FC Kupiškis
Kelmes FK
Koralas Klaipeda
Utenis Utena
FK Transinvest
Utenis Utena II
Suduva Marijampole II
NFA Kaunas
FC Stumbras
FK Kauno Žalgiris
Hegelmann Litauen II
FK Riteriai
Kedainiu Nevezis
FK Viltis Vilnius
Suduva Marijampole
Wikipedia - I Lyga
The I Lyga, LFF I Lyga, Pirma Lyga, is the second tier of professional Lithuanian football championship.
History
There were 15 teams competing in the 2017 season. At the end of this season, three teams withdrew from the league.
In 2018, there were 14 teams that started the championship. However, FK Koralas Klaipėda withdrew in the mid-season. After the end of the season, two more teams have withdrawn from participation in the next season.
The 2019 season saw 16 teams starting the championship. In June FC Stumbras ran into financial difficulties, its license was withdrawn from the A Lyga, along with Stumbras B license in the I Lyga. In July Stumbras B was removed from the league, with all results annulled as the team played less than half of all season games. At the end of the season I Lyga side FC Kupiškis was found to be involved in match-fixing, and subsequently fined and demoted to II Lyga.
Although the 2019 I Lyga winners FC Džiugas Telšiai won promotion to A lyga, the club failed to meet 2020 A Lyga licensing criteria, and had their promotion was forfeited. Only FK Banga Gargždai had advanced to A Lyga.
The 2020 season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and was shortened to 1.5 rounds. 14 teams participated in the tournament, with four teams offered promotion to A Lyga.
2021 season ran in full despite some COVID-19 threats. As four teams advanced to the A Lyga, and one club withdrew, five teams joined from the II Lyga. Previous season winner FK Jonava were denied A Lyga license because of allegations of match-fixing. The league consisted of 14 teams, with an expectation to expand the league to 16 the next season.
2022 season featured stable 16 team tournament and a fierce fight for the promotion to A lyga. Eventually, DFK Dainava secured the promotion, returning to A lyga after one season.