2026 Polish football season kickoff

The first round of Poland’s top‑flight league unfolded in late July 2026, with Zagłębie Lubin and Piast Gliwice wrapping up the schedule. Raków Częstochowa’s 1‑2 defeat to Wisła Płock left them winless after the debut. Off‑field moves included Wisła Kraków extending a defender’s contract, Jagiellonia Białystok breaking its transfer record for a Champions‑League‑experienced player, and a former Ekstraklasa star returning from top European leagues. Injuries surfaced early: defender Stratos Svarnas suffered a knee problem and midfielder Lamine Diaby‑Fadiga dealt with an Achilles‑tendon issue, prompting lineup adjustments.

In the days after the opening round, Raków prepared for the second‑leg of its 2026‑27 UEFA Conference League tie against Valletta FC in Malta on 30 July. After a 3‑1 first‑leg win, the Polish side aims to reach the third qualifying round, with coach Dawid Kroczek confident that the artificial turf will not hinder the players. The match will be broadcast on TV Republika Plus and streamed live on YouTube, following a first‑leg online audience of about 137 000. Injury updates note that Svarnas has cleared his knee injury, while Diaby‑Fadiga remains out, with a return projected in the coming weeks.