| Season | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Spartaks Jūrmala 1st title |
| Relegated | BFC Daugavpils |
| Champions League | Spartaks Jūrmala |
| Europa League | Jelgava Ventspils |
| Matches | 112 |
| Goals | 252 (2.25 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Ģirts Karlsons (17 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Jelgava 4–0Rīgas Futbola skola (12 March 2016)[1] Spartaks Jūrmala 5–1Ventspils (10 June 2016)[2] |
| Biggest away win | BFC Daugavpils 0–5Ventspils (16 April 2016)[3] |
| Highest scoring | Jelgava 4–3Ventspils (22 June 2016)[4] Liepāja 4–3Spartaks Jūrmala (24 July 2016)[5] |
←2015 2017 → | |
The2016 Latvian Higher League was the 25th season of top-tierfootball inLatvia.FK Liepāja were the defending champions. The season began on 11 March 2016 and ended on 5 November 2016; the relegation play-offs took place on 9 and 13 November 2016.
FB Gulbene were excluded from the previous season due to suspicion of match-fixing.[6]2015 Latvian First League winners FC Caramba/Dinamo were promoted to the league and before the season changed their name toRiga FC.[7]
Skonto FC did not obtain a license to play in the 2016 Higher League.[8] Skonto appealed the decision, but the appeal was denied.[9] Since2015 Latvian First League runners-upValmiera Glass FK/BSS turned down the opportunity to be promoted to the Higher League, third-placedRīgas Futbola skola (RFS) was promoted instead.[8]
| Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFC Daugavpils | Daugavpils | Celtnieks Stadium | 1,980 |
| FK Jelgava | Jelgava | Zemgales Olimpiskais Sporta Centrs | 1,560 |
| FK Liepāja | Liepāja | Daugava Stadium | 5,000 |
| FS Metta/LU | Riga | Hanzas vidusskolas futbola laukums | 500 |
| Riga FC | Riga | Skonto Stadium | 9,500 |
| FK RFS | Riga | Stadions Arkādija | 500 |
| FK Spartaks Jūrmala | Jūrmala | Slokas Stadium | 2,500 |
| FK Ventspils | Ventspils | Olimpiskais Stadium | 3,200 |
| Club | Kit manufacturer | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| BFC Daugavpils | Adidas | Intergaz |
| FK Jelgava | Nike | Igate |
| FK Liepāja | Adidas | Mogo |
| FS Metta/LU | Nike | |
| Riga FC | Jako | |
| FK RFS | Nike | LNK Group |
| FK Spartaks Jūrmala | Nike | Hanseatisches Fußball Kontor |
| FK Ventspils | Adidas | VK Tranzīts |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spartaks Jūrmala(C) | 28 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 46 | 22 | +24 | 55 | Qualification for theChampions League second qualifying round |
| 2 | Jelgava | 28 | 16 | 3 | 9 | 37 | 24 | +13 | 51[a] | Qualification for theEuropa League first qualifying round[b] |
| 3 | Ventspils | 28 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 47 | 28 | +19 | 51[a] | |
| 4 | Liepāja | 28 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 38 | 31 | +7 | 42 | |
| 5 | Riga | 28 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 28 | 24 | +4 | 36 | |
| 6 | FK RFS | 28 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 22 | 31 | −9 | 35 | |
| 7 | METTA/LU(O) | 28 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 32 | 47 | −15 | 30 | Qualification for therelegation play-offs |
| 8 | BFC Daugavpils(R) | 28 | 2 | 5 | 21 | 13 | 56 | −43 | 11 | Relegation to theLatvian First League |
The 7th-placed side,FS METTA/LU, facedAFA Olaine, runners-up of the2016 Latvian First League in a two-legged play-off, with the winner being awarded a spot in the2017 Higher League competition.
| AFA Olaine | 1–1 | METTA/LU |
|---|---|---|
| Asgarov | Report | Uldriķis |
METTA/LU won 2–1 on aggregate and retained their place in the2017 Higher League.
|
Source:Virslīga 2016(in Latvian) Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. Notes:
|
Updated to match(es) played on 29 October 2016.
Source:UEFA