The 2022–23 First Football League (also known as Prva nogometna liga and 1. NL) was the 32nd season of the second-level football competition for men's association football teams in Croatia, since its establishment in 1992. The season started on 13 August 2022 and concluded on 3 June 2023.
The league was contested by 12 teams, four less than the previous season, and played in a triple round robin format.[1]
New clubs were Hrvatski Dragovoljac (relegated after single season in the top flight), relegated from 2021–22 Prva HNL and Vukovar 1991, winner of playoff between winners of five third tier leagues.
Before the start of the season, Inter Zaprešić ended up in bankruptcy and was dissolved. Instead of them, Croatia Zmijavci, originally relegated, was returned to the league.[3]
Updated to match(es) played on 5 June 2023. Source: Prva NL Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored (at home if two teams tied); 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off (Note: Criteria 2-4 and 7 is only used if deciding champion, teams for promotion or relegation and in that case criteria 6 will not be used).[6] (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Updated to match(es) played on 19 March 2023. Source: Prva NL(in Croatian) Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.
Updated to match(es) played on 5 June 2023. Source: Prva NL(in Croatian) Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.
^Game originally ended with 1-0 win for Hrvatski Dragovoljac, but it was later awarded to Rudeš because Hrvatski Dragovoljac did not field enough players younger than 21 as per league rules.[7]