On the afternoon of September 13, the opening ceremony for the 2026 - 2027 National First Division was held at Thai Nguyen Stadium, officially beginning the new season. This is the first time Thai Nguyen Football Club (Thai Nguyen FC) has competed in the National First Division, marking a new stage for men’s football in Thai Nguyen Province.
Delegates, guests and fans watch the opening ceremony of the 2026 - 2027 National First Division at Thai Nguyen Stadium
Attending the opening ceremony were Comrade Trinh Xuan Truong, member of the Party Central Executive Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Comrade Duong Van Luong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; and leaders of departments, commissions, sectors and localities. Also attending were leaders and representatives of the Vietnam Football Federation, Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), clubs, sponsors, partners, supporters and fans.
Teams and match officials participating in the opening ceremony of the 2026 - 2027 National First Division
The 2026 - 2027 National First Division features 14 teams playing a double round-robin format over 26 rounds. The champions and runners-up will be promoted directly to the National Championship, while the bottom two teams will be relegated to the National Second Division for the following season.
Nguyen Minh Ngoc, VPF General Director and head of the organizing committee for the 2026 - 2027 National Professional Football Competitions, delivers opening remarks
At the opening ceremony, Nguyen Minh Ngoc, VPF General Director and head of the organizing committee for the 2026 - 2027 National Professional Football Competitions, acknowledged and appreciated Thai Nguyen Province’s coordination in preparing and organizing the competition and thanked clubs, sponsors, partners, fans, and press and media agencies for their support.
At the program, a representative of Dong Luc Sports Group presented Terra UVI 2.07 match balls meeting FIFA Quality Pro standards to the match officials. Thai Nguyen provincial leaders and the organizing committee presented flowers and encouraged the officials and players before the opening match.
Representatives of the two teams exchanging commemorative flags
Immediately after the opening ceremony, Thai Nguyen FC played its first match of the season against Quy Nhon United at home. The match took place at 6 p.m. on September 13 and was also the opening match of the 2026 - 2027 National First Division season.
Competing in the National First Division is a new step for Thai Nguyen FC after its preparations, training and friendly matches. The team aims to finish among the top five in the 2026 - 2027 season while gradually building its squad toward earning the right to play in the V.League within the next two years.
Hosting Thai Nguyen FC’s home matches at Thai Nguyen Stadium enables local fans to watch and support their provincial team directly, while also helping use sports facilities effectively, create a vibrant sporting atmosphere and meet people’s cultural and spiritual needs.
Alongside the development of women’s football, Thai Nguyen FC’s participation in the National First Division helps complete the province’s high-performance football system, create further conditions for grassroots football and youth-athlete training, and gradually enhance Thai Nguyen’s sporting standing in national competitions.