Shymkent, 26 October. Shymkent's Ordabasy became Kazakhstan's 2026 football champions with one round left: after Kairat drew 2-2 in Aktobe, the Almaty side lost any mathematical chance of catching the leaders, the Kazakhstan Premier League said.
The title was decided over two days. On 24 October Ordabasy drew 1-1 at home with Astana's Zhenis, a result that ended a run of 11 straight home wins. The next day Kairat needed to win in Aktobe, but the match ended 2-2. After 29 rounds Ordabasy have 68 points and Kairat 64: a win is worth three points, so a four-point gap cannot be closed in one remaining round. The Shymkent side have won 21 of 29 matches, drawn five and lost three, with a goal record of 59-21. Astana are third.
It is Ordabasy's second title, after their first in 2023. The team ended Kairat's two-year reign and drew level on titles with Tobol and Karaganda's Shakhter. The country's most successful club is Astana (seven titles), with five each for Kairat, Aktobe and Irtysh. Ordabasy head coach Andrei Martin took over in December 2024 and won the title in his second season; in the winter of 2026 the club passed into private hands.
Ordabasy sealed the title not with a win of their own but with their rival's draw in Aktobe.
What it means: The national champion has been decided early. The last, 30th round on 31 October will be a formality for Ordabasy, who play away at Pavlodar's Irtysh.
Who benefits: Ordabasy and their new owners get a title in the first season after the change of ownership. Kairat lose the championship they held for two years.
Background: The Kazakhstan Premier League is the top division of the national championship; in 2026 it has 30 rounds.
