Schedule of the first stage of the play-off » When the derby between Rapid and Dinamo is played
Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Monday, 09 March 2026 22:49 / Updated Monday, 09 March 2026 23:04
The last stage of the regular season in the Superliga ended with the victory achieved by CFR Cluj on own land with Dinamo, score 2-0. The two teams were already qualified for the play-offs, as well University of Craiova, Rapid, U Cluj and FC Arges.
Immediately after the final whistle at the match in Gruia, the Professional Football League posted the program of the first stage of the play-off.
Instead, the play-out schedule had been posted since Monday, and FCSB was scheduled to play on Friday. However, LPF changed the structure of the stage, and the title champion will debut in the play-out on Saturday, when no play-off match will be played.
The program of the first stage of the play-off
According to the official schedule posted by the Professional Football League, the University of Craiova will open the first stage of the play-off, on Friday, March 13, at 20:30, when it will welcome “Ion Oblemenco” to the visit of FC Argeș.
No play-off match will be played on Saturday, and the derby between Rapid and Dinamo will take place on Sunday, starting at 20:30. Also from 20:30, the epilogue of the first round will be played on Monday, between U Cluj and CFR Cluj.
Play-off standings after halving points
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Craiova University – 30 points
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Fast – 28 points
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Cluj University – 27 points
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CFR Cluj – 27 points (benefited from rounding)
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Dinamo – 26 points
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FC Arges – 25 points
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As in the previous season, the 1st ranked team, the champion of Romania, will go to the 1st preliminary round of the UEFA Champions League
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The winner of the Romanian Cup will participate in the 1st preliminary round of the UEFA Europa League
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The 2nd place in the Superliga will go to the 2nd preliminary round of the UEFA Conference League
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3rd place will play a play-off with the winner of the play-out play-off (7th and 8th place) for a place in the same European competition
The program of the first stage of the play-out
Instead, the play-out will open on Friday, from 17:30, in Galati, where Oțelul will host the match with Csikszereda. On Saturday, when no match will be played in the play-off, Farul Constanța will receive the visit of Petrol Ploiești, from 18:15.
Later, starting at 21:00, FCSB will receive the visit of Metaloglobus. The only play-out match on Sunday takes place from 15:00, between UTA Arad and Hermannstadt, and the stage ends on Monday, with the duel between FC Botoșani and Unirea Slobozia, which starts at 17:30.
