15 teams have expressed their desire to play in the third-rated football division of Ukraine. The tournament format for the second league involves round-robin matches. The basic start date is August 6, with the winner advancing a class, and the teams finishing second and third will play transitional matches against the visitors occupying the 17th and 16th positions in the first league.

According to many experts, the main contenders for victory are "Zviahel" and "Niva" (Vinnytsia), which were led by renowned specialists Yuriy Maximov and Yuriy Yaroshenko respectively during the offseason. By the way, according to the draw, these teams will face each other in the opening round. In recent friendlies, "Zviahel" lost to Buzhanska "Niva" (0:3), while Vinnytsia "Niva" lost to "Podillya" (1:3). First league teams prevailed due to better preparation, as they started their pre-season preparations much earlier.

The first round also features an interesting Lviv derby between "Ruh-2" and "Karpaty-2". The PFL literally allowed these teams to play in the second league at the last moment. The green-and-white reserves are led by former defender of "Karpaty" Volodymyr Vychynsky, while who will become the coach of "Ruh-2" remains to be seen in the coming days.

Another derby will take place in Kyiv — "Locomotiv" will host FC "YUKSA". This is a debut for competitions under the auspices of the PFL. While "railwaymen" have already played several friendly matches, "YUKSA" will play their first friendly only on July 19 — against "Polesye" (Stavki).

The team that is a main component of the Ukrainian Christian Sports Academy is led by Mykola Tsimbal, who previously was the head coach of "Mykhal". It's no surprise that he has taken Ivan Ostapov and Mykhail Rusnak as his assistants, who worked with him at the Zakarpattya club. Also joining the coaching staff are Andriy Hrytsai and Brazilian specialist Chino. The first summer newcomer is Anton Yevdokimov from "LNZ", another ex-player of "LNZ" Oleksiy Synyogub also expressed a desire to defend the colors of FC "YUKSA", as well as Dmitro Makhnev from Lviv's "Karpaty".

Debutants in the first league are not hiding that they intend to disrupt the peace. So, "Zviahel" and "Niva" should not relax.