Úrvalsdeild karla (football)
| Country | Iceland |
|---|---|
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1st |
| Relegation to | 1. deild karla |
| Domestic cup(s) |
Bikarkeppni karla Deildabikar |
| International cup(s) |
UEFA Champions League UEFA Europa League |
| Current champions |
FH (2016) |
| Most championships | KR (26) |
| TV partners | Stöð 2 Sport |
| Website | www |
 2017 Úrvalsdeild
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The Úrvalsdeild karla (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈurvalsˌteilt ˈkʰartla], Men's Select Division) is the highest football league in Iceland. It has been played since 1912. Because of the harsh winters in Iceland, it is generally played in the spring and summer (May to September). It is administered by the Football Association of Iceland (KSI) and is contested by 12 teams. At the end of the 2015–2016 season, the UEFA ranked the league 35th in Europe. From 27 April 2009, the league has been known as Pepsi deildin (i.e. The Pepsi League) due to a three-year sponsorship deal with Ölgerðin (the Icelandic franchisee for Pepsi).
The league includes 12 clubs who play each other two times, once at home and once away. The two teams with the fewest points at the end of the season are relegated to 1. deild karla (First Division) and replaced by the top two teams of that division. Internationally, the winner of the Úrvalsdeild enters the UEFA Champions League in the second qualifying round. Second, third and fourth placed teams qualify for the UEFA Europa League in the first qualifying round.
For the first time in the competition's history, the 2008 season saw 12 teams compete in the premier division, a part of KSI's attempt to strengthen Icelandic football. Therefore, only one team was relegated in the 2007 season and three clubs were promoted from the First Division.
KR hold the most titles, with 26, Valur is next with 20, while ÍA and Fram Reykjavík follow with 18 each. FH holds 7 and Víkingur has retained 5 championship titles. The current champions of Iceland are FH.
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