Artis Brno je sprejel ponudbo LFA in bo igral v prvi ligi naslednje sezone.

Artis Brno has accepted an offer from the Liga Fotbalová Asociace (LFA) and will compete in the top-tier league during the upcoming season. This marks a significant milestone for the club, which will replace Karviná, excluded from the first division due to disciplinary issues. The move also means that two teams from Brno—Artis and Zbrojovka—will simultaneously participate in the first league, making them the third city after Prague and Ostrava to have multiple clubs competing in the elite competition.

The decision follows Karviná's withdrawal from the first league after the club withdrew its appeal against a ban imposed by the Ethical Committee of the Football Association of the Czech Republic. According to the competition regulations managed by the LFA, which oversees both the first and second leagues, the first option was to invite Táborsko, which finished second in last year’s second division. However, the Jihočeský club declined the offer due to stadium-related issues in České Budějovice and insufficient time to assemble a competitive squad capable of playing in the top tier.

As a result, the LFA turned to Artis, another team that had failed to qualify for the first league via the play-offs. If Artis had also refused, the LFA would have approached Dukla Prague, which directly descended from the first league. However, according to the LFA, Dukla could not receive the offer because Karviná was excluded from the first league only after the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Matěj Turek, owner of Dukla Prague, stated that his club does not accept the LFA’s decision and plans to take legal action. He emphasized that the relegation of Karviná should automatically lead to the promotion of Dukla, arguing that this aligns with the principles of fair competition.

For Artis Brno, the opportunity to join the first league represents both a challenge and a chance to elevate their status. General manager Petr Kuba expressed pride in the club’s acceptance of the offer, highlighting the prestige and responsibility that comes with joining the elite level. He noted that the club had always aimed to provide quality football to the people of Brno and South Moravia, and the current situation presents a unique administrative path to achieve this goal.

Artis Brno underwent a name change from Líšně to Artis Brno a year ago, and the club was acquired by billionaire Igor Fait in November 2024, who announced ambitious goals including promotion to the first league. Despite the unconventional route, the club has fulfilled its objective, and Kuba emphasized that Brno and the South Moravian region deserve to have two teams in the first league.

The new structure of the first league means that the competition will not be redrawn again. Artis, led by coach Roman Nádvorník, will take over Karviná’s position in the schedule, while Karviná will now compete in the lower division according to the original plan for Artis. This arrangement ensures that both Brno teams will occasionally face each other in front of their home crowds, starting with the opening match on July 25th or 26th against Mladá Boleslav. A Brno derby between Artis and Zbrojovka is scheduled for the eighth round on September 12th or 13th, continuing the tradition of shared stadium use in Srbská.

The inclusion of Artis in the first league brings additional attention to the city of Brno, where the prospect of a derby adds excitement to the local football scene. While the club acknowledges the risks associated with moving up to the top tier, they are committed to preparing a competitive team capable of maintaining their presence in the first league. The transition is seen as a natural progression for the club, fulfilling long-term ambitions set by its new ownership.