Finalized schedule for the 2026 National Second Division kickoff

The 2026 Second Division is ready to start, aiming to select 3 teams that will secure promotion.

On February 9, the Vietnam Football Federation issued the official regulations for the 2026 National Second Division, with 14 clubs registered to participate. Sending the document early allows teams more time to prepare their squads, training plans, and complete personnel procedures before the new season, which is expected to be highly competitive.

Among the participating teams, 9 continue from last season, including Đắk Lắk, Hoài Đức, Lâm Đồng, Quảng Ngãi (the new name for Kon Tum), PVF, Tây Ninh, Hanoi Youth, Da Nang Youth, and Vĩnh Long. Additionally, Huế, relegated from the 2024-2025 First Division, joins along with four newcomers promoted from the Third Division: Phù Đổng Youth, CAHN Youth, Hà Tĩnh Sports Training and Competition Center, and TG.Gia Định, completing the list of 14 representatives.

According to the plan, clubs will be divided into two groups based on geography and stadium registration. The draw ceremony is scheduled for March 6 in Hanoi. The group stage will follow a double round-robin format from March 24 to June 7, selecting the top two teams from each group to advance to the decisive phase.

The final round will likely be held at a neutral venue. The four teams advancing from the group stage will face off in cross semifinals on June 13: first place in Group A against second place in Group B, and vice versa. The two winners will earn direct promotion to the 2026-2027 First Division, while the two losing teams will compete in a playoff on June 16 for the remaining promotion spot.

Upon receiving the regulations, some clubs have already started training. Huế, after a training camp in Đắk Lắk, continued practicing until just before Tet and will regroup from the fourth day of the lunar new year. Their goal is to quickly return to the First Division. Meanwhile, Hanoi Youth, under coach Phạm Minh Đức, has strong investment and ambitions for promotion, even considering relocating their home ground if they achieve their target.

Experts suggest that the Northern region along with two North Central representatives, Hà Tĩnh and Huế, may be grouped together. If this scenario occurs, the competition will be intense as several teams like Hanoi Youth, Huế, PVF, and Phù Đổng Youth — coached by Trương Việt Hoàng — are all determined to fight for a spot in the finals.

The young PVF squad is preparing to compete in the Second Division

Four teams secured promotion to the Second Division