As planned by the Vietnam Professional Football JSC (VPF) and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the opening match for the 2016 season will be held at Binh Duong Stadium on February 20 with the season scheduled to wrap up on September 18, 2016.
Prior to the opening match will be the 2015 National Super Cup between defending V-League champions Becamex Binh Duong and 2015 National Cup winners Hanoi T&T, taking place on February 14.
The 2016 V-League will see competition among 14 teams, including Becamex Binh Duong, Dong Thap, FLC Thanh Hoa, Hanoi FC (recently promoted), Hanoi T&T (reigning runners-up), Hai Phong, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Long An, Quang Nam QNK, Sanna Khanh Hoa, SHB Da Nang, Song Lam Nghe An, Quang Ninh Coal, and XSKT Can Tho.
One of the most notable changes in the new season includes 1.5 slots for relegation in the V-League. The team that places in 14th position of the 2016 V-League will have to play in the 2017 First Division. The 13th ranked team will make the play-off.
Therefore, the First Division will have 1.5 promotion slots. The overall winners will win the right to play in the 2017 V-League competition. The three following eligible teams will join 2016 V-League’s penultimate team in a play-off to determine the 14th position in the V-League next season.
The draw scheduled for the national league was conducted on Saturday afternoon, as well as for other tournaments.
Accordingly, the 2016 First Division (ten teams/1.5 promotion slot) opens on April 9 and ends on August 20. The National Cup matches are due to begin on April 2 and close on September 29.
