The Ekstraklasa, Poland’s top-tier football league, unveiled its 2023-24 season fixtures on Thursday, with reigning champions Lech Poznań kicking off their title defence against Stal Rzeszów on 21 July. The 30-round season will see 18 teams compete across nine months, culminating in a final matchday on 23 June 2024, as the league aims to maintain its status as one of Europe’s most competitive domestic competitions. Key fixtures include the Warsaw derby between Legia and Polonia on 27 August, and the return of newly-promoted side GKS Katowice, who will face Lech Poznań on the opening day. The schedule was confirmed following a draw ceremony in Warsaw, with the league emphasising its commitment to fairness and excitement in the upcoming campaign.
Ekstraklasa Unveils 2023-24 Season Fixtures
The Ekstraklasa has revealed its fixtures for the 2023-24 season, with the campaign kicking off on 21 July. The league’s 18 teams will play a total of 34 matches each, with the season concluding on 25 May 2024. This will be the 90th season of Polish football’s top division.
Lech Poznań will start their title defence at home against Stal Rzeszów on the opening day. Meanwhile, newly promoted Ruch Chorzów will travel to Warta Poznań for their first match back in the top flight. The first round of fixtures will see last season’s top six teams face off against sides that finished in the bottom six.
The Ekstraklasa has also announced that the winter break will run from 16 December to 23 February. This break will allow teams to prepare for the second half of the season, with the league resuming on 24 February 2024. The play-offs and relegation play-offs will take place after the regular season, with the exact dates to be confirmed.
In a statement, Ekstraklasa CEO Marek Łuczak said, “We are excited to unveil the fixtures for the 2023-24 season. We have a fantastic campaign ahead, with some mouth-watering matches already scheduled.” The league has also confirmed that all matches will be broadcast live on TV or streaming platforms.
Key Matchups Set for Opening Weekend
The Polish Football Association has announced the fixtures for the 2023-24 Ekstraklasa season, with several key matchups set for the opening weekend. The season kicks off on 21 July, with defending champions Lech Poznań facing off against Pogoń Szczecin.
Raków Częstochowa, runners-up last season, will begin their campaign at home against Jagiełło Łódź. The fixture list also sees Legia Warszawa, who finished third last season, travel to Warta Poznań.
One of the most anticipated matches of the opening weekend is the clash between Lech Poznań and Pogoń Szczecin. Lech’s sporting director, Tomasz Rząsa, expressed optimism ahead of the new season. “We are looking forward to the challenge,” Rząsa said. “Our goal is to retain the title and we believe we have the squad to do it.”
Raków Częstochowa, who reached the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds, will be eager to build on their impressive form. Their manager, Marek Papszun, highlighted the importance of a strong start. “The opening match is crucial,” Papszun stated. “We want to set the tone for the season and show our intentions from the beginning.”
Legia Warszawa, meanwhile, will be aiming to bounce back from a disappointing season. Their new signing, Tomasz Kępa, is expected to bolster their defence. The fixtures promise an exciting start to the new Ekstraklasa season, with plenty of intrigue and anticipation.
Defending Champions to Kick Off Against Last Season's Runners-Up
The 2023-24 Ekstraklasa season will commence with a tantalising clash between defending champions Lech Poznań and last season’s runners-up Raków Częstochowa. The fixture list, released by the Polish Football Association, confirms the highly anticipated match will take place on 21 July at Poznań’s Stadion Poznań.
Lech Poznań secured their 8th league title last season, finishing 11 points ahead of Raków Częstochowa. The champions will be eager to start their title defence on a high, while Raków will look to build on their impressive second-place finish.
Other notable fixtures in the opening round include Pogoń Szczecin hosting Legia Warsaw, and Piast Gliwice taking on Zagłębie Lubin. The season will conclude on 25 May 2024, with a total of 30 rounds of matches to be played.
“Every team will face each other three times,” confirmed Ekstraklasa spokesperson Jan Kowalski. “This format ensures a fair and competitive season for all clubs.”
The fixture release comes after extensive planning and coordination between the league and all participating clubs. Each team has been working diligently on their pre-season preparations, with many already announcing their summer signings and squad plans.
Fans can expect a thrilling season ahead, with the Ekstraklasa continuing to grow in popularity and competitiveness. The league has seen significant investment in recent years, leading to improved infrastructure and increased global interest.
For the first time, all matches will be broadcast live, ensuring fans worldwide can follow their favourite teams. The league has also introduced new initiatives to enhance the matchday experience for supporters attending stadiums.
Fixtures Spread Across Nine Months of Competition
The Ekstraklasa has unveiled its fixture list for the 2023-24 season, with matches spread across nine months of competition. The league will kick off on 21 July 2023 and conclude on 25 April 2024, featuring 18 teams battling it out over 34 matchdays.
Lech Poznań will host Ruch Chorzów in the season’s opening match, while defending champions Raków Częstochowa will begin their title defence against Pogoń Szczecin. The first round of fixtures will see all teams in action over the opening weekend.
The winter break will commence after the 17th matchday, with play resuming on 2 February 2024. This mid-season hiatus allows teams to regroup and prepare for the second half of the campaign.
Each team will play a total of 34 matches, facing every other club twice—once at home and once away. The league’s structure remains unchanged from previous seasons, with promotion and relegation still in place.
Ekstraklasa spokesperson, Paweł Pęksa, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season. “We are delighted to present an exciting fixture list that promises thrilling matches and intense rivalries,” he said. The full fixture list is now available on the Ekstraklasa’s official website.
Fans React to Exciting Season Ahead
The Ekstraklasa has unveiled its much-anticipated 2023-24 season fixtures, setting the stage for an exciting campaign ahead. The league will kick off on 21 July, with defending champions Raków Częstochowa facing a tough opening match against Lech Poznań.
Fans have wasted no time reacting to the fixtures, with social media buzzing with anticipation. Many are already marking their calendars for key derbies, including the highly anticipated Warsaw derby between Legia Warszawa and Polonia Warszawa, scheduled for 26 August.
The fixture list also features several intriguing matchups in the early rounds. Piast Gliwice will host Pogoń Szczecin on the opening day, while Jagodzianka will make its top-flight debut against Górnik Zabrze.
Supporters of newly promoted clubs are particularly enthusiastic about their teams’ prospects. “We’re ready to make our mark in the Ekstraklasa,” said one Jagodzianka fan, echoing the sentiments of many.
The season will culminate on 25 May 2024, with the final round of matches determining the ultimate champions. As the countdown begins, fans across Poland are eagerly awaiting the drama and excitement that the new campaign promises to deliver.
The 2023-24 Ekstraklasa season promises intense rivalries and high-stakes encounters, with each team facing a challenging schedule. The fixture list includes a number of key derbies that are sure to captivate fans, such as the Warsaw derby between Legia and Polonia, and the Silesian derby between Górnik Zabrze and Ruch Chorzów. The season kicks off in July, with the final matchday scheduled for May 2024. As teams finalise their preparations, the anticipation builds for what is expected to be a fiercely competitive season. The league’s structure, featuring a standard round-robin format, ensures that every team will face each other twice, once at home and once away, providing ample opportunity for dramatic twists and turns throughout the campaign.
