The defending champions were the 16-time winnersDynamo Kyiv. The previous2021–22 season was abandoned due to the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[2] AlthoughShakhtar Donetsk were at the top of the table when the league was abandoned, no title was officially awarded ("The handing out of awards to the league's medalists will not take place").[3]
The current season began on 23 August 2022 and ended on 3 June 2023.[4] Shakhtar Donetsk were crowned champions for the 14th time in their history.
Due to thefull-scale invasion of Russia, teams were discussing the possibility of playing inwestern Ukraine as well asPoland. On 27 May 2022, a conference was held in theHouse of Football involving participants of the Ukrainian Premier League along with the UAF presidium. Topics discussed at the conference included the continuation of the league, possible places and dates of conducting it as well as its format for the future season.[5] On 25 June, the league's executive director, Yevhen Dykyi, explained that the season was expected to start on 20 August in the usual format with 16 participants.[6][7] Later, the president of theUkrainian Association of Football clarified that the only teams allowed to play abroad would be those still in continental competitions, subject to their opponents' agreement.[8]
Some football functionaries criticised conducting the competitions due to risks of deliberate Russian missile attacks.[9]
PUMA Orbita Ball is officialfootball ball of the 2022–23 Ukrainian Premier League, and thePuma brand became an official technical sponsor.[10] It is the leading ball model, certified by FIFA, designed specifically for professional football.[10]
The ball formed with high frequency technology provides excellent stability and reduced water absorption, as well as a soft ball feel.
New 12-panel concept: identical sized panels for a perfectly balanced weight and flight behavior.
Surface: 1.2mm thick 3D surface for greater durability and better aerodynamics. Innovative POE foam for strong grip, improved rebound performance and impact strength.[10]
This season the Ukrainian Premier League has kept 16 teams, which includes 14 teams from the previous season and the top two teams from the2021–22 Ukrainian First League. Two teams had their status suspended due to the Russian occupation and/or destruction of their sports infrastructure.
Note: both clubs were adopted by the Ukrainian Premier League as their predecessors despite the fact that both Metalist and Kryvbas were dissolved in 2016 and 2013 respectfully. The new Metalist was renamed from Metal Kharkiv in 2021, while the new Kryvbas was renamed from Hirnyk Kryvyi Rih in 2020.
In case if one or both Desna and Mariupol decide to return to the league competitions next season, it is predetermined that the league team pool would be increased to 18 teams.[11]
The minimum threshold for the stadium's capacity in the UPL is 4,500 (Article 10, paragraph 8.3).[12] With the ongoing Russian aggression clubs were forced to relocate to western parts of the country with theUkrainian Association of Football listed its certified stadiums for the season competitions.[13] It was decided that the main regions in which permitted to conduct competitions are Kyiv city, Kyiv Oblast, Lviv Oblast and Zakarpattia Oblast.[11] A match could take place in other regions on permission of a regional military administration and agreement from the opposing club.
The following stadiums are regarded as home grounds:
Source:UPL calendar 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. Notes:
^The match, which kicked off on 23 November 2022, has been abandoned at the 10th minute, then resumed on 11 May 2023[45]
^The Round 30 match Mynai – Zorya originally ended in 0–3 win for Luhansk team, on 23 June 2023 it was reversed by the UAF CDC which awarded a technical win 3–0 to Mynai, because Zorya fieldedDmytro Myshnyov who was not listed for the match.[46]
Round 1. Rukh vs Metalist. The match had been interrupted three times (in 44th, 51st, 77th minute).[47] Dnipro-1 vs Oleksandriya. The match, which kicked off on 23 November 2022, has been interrupted in the 10th minute, then resumed on 11 May 2023.[48][49] Round 5. Veres vs Rukh. Kick off time was delayed for 30 minutes.[50] Lviv vs Dnipro-1. The match had been interrupted in the 55th minute.[51] Round 6. Dynamo vs Rukh. The match had been interrupted in the 80th minute.[52] Round 7. Metalist 1925 vs Lviv. Kick off time was delayed for 20 minutes.[53] Zorya vs Kolos. The match had been interrupted in the 59th minute.[54] Round 8. Vorskla vs Rukh. The match had been interrupted in the 22nd minute.[55] Dnipro-1 vs Inhulets. The match had been interrupted in the 23rd minute.[56] Round 9. Kryvbas vs Inhulets. The match had been interrupted in the 21st minute.[57] Kolos vs Chornomorets. Kick off time was delayed for 60 minutes.[58] Round 10. Shakhtar vs Oleksandriya. The match had been interrupted in the 40th minute.[59] Round 11. Oleksandriya vs Kolos. Kick off time was delayed for 20 minutes.[60] Round 12. Kryvbas vs Vorskla. The match had been interrupted in the 3rd minute.[61] Kolos vs Dnipro-1. Kick off time was delayed for 120 minutes.[62] Round 13. Vorskla vs Dnipro-1. Kick off time was delayed for 85 minutes.[63] Round 15. Kryvbas vs Dnipro-1. The match had been interrupted in the 21st minute.[64] Round 16. Oleksandriya vs Dnipro-1. The match had been interrupted in the 56th minute.[65] Round 18. Vorskla vs Metalist 1925. The match had been interrupted in the 76th minute.[66] Round 20. Kryvbas vs Zorya. The match had been interrupted in the 55th minute.[67] Round 22. Kryvbas vs Chornomorets. The match had been interrupted in the 31st minute.[68] Oleksandriya vs Inhulets. The match had been interrupted in the 21st minute.[69] Round 24. Zorya vs Veres. The match had been interrupted in the 71st minute.[70] Vorskla vs Dynamo. The match had been interrupted in the 82nd minute.[71] Round 25. Kryvbas vs Dynamo. Kick off time was delayed for 15 minutes.[72] Round 27. Oleksandriya vs Dynamo. The match had been interrupted in the 75th minute.[73] Round 28. Kolos vs Dynamo. Kick off time was delayed for 40 minutes.[74] Round 30. Vorskla vs Shakhtar. Kick off time was delayed for 20 minutes.[75]
Teams that placed 13th and 14th in the 2022–23 Ukrainian Premier League play two-leg play-off with the third and fourth teams of the2022–23 Ukrainian First League. The draw for play-offs took place on 2 June 2023[76] and the games will be played on 10 and 14 June 2023. If players of the clubs would be called to the national teams, games will be moved to June 8 and 12.