The identity of Romania's top football league is constantly changing

Cultures · Published 1 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From Divizia A to Superliga, the name of Romania's premier football league has shifted through trademark disputes and heavy corporate sponsorship. Discover how beer brands, telecommunications giants, and betting operators have all left their mark on the history of this century-old competition.

Established in 1909, the competition has undergone several major identity shifts. For much of its history, it was known as Divizia A, a name it held until the 2006–07 season when a trademark dispute forced a rebranding to Liga I. Today, due to sponsorship agreements, it is officially branded as the Superliga.

The league's history is deeply intertwined with commercial interests. Since the late 1990s, various companies have purchased naming rights, leading to a rotating roster of titles. The competition has been known as Divizia A Ursus to promote beer, Liga I Orange for telecommunications, and more recently, Casa Liga 1. Since 2022, the gambling operator Superbet has served as the title sponsor.

While the league's name has fluctuated, its competitive landscape has also evolved. For decades, clubs from Bucharest, such as FCSB—the most successful club with 28 titles—and Dinamo București, dominated the standings. However, the period following the 2006 rebrand saw a shift in power, with clubs like CFR Cluj, Unirea Urziceni, and Oțelul Galați breaking the capital's monopoly on national championships.

The league's structure also underwent significant changes. Since 2020, the format has transitioned to a 16-team competition featuring a 30-match regular season, followed by specialized championship play-offs and relegation play-outs. This modern era also saw the league's expansion from 14 to 16 clubs, a move implemented at the start of the 2020–21 season.

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