# 2016–17 Third Amateur Football League (Bulgaria)

The 2016–17 Third Amateur Football League season was the 67th season of the Bulgarian Third Amateur Football League. The league is equivalent to the third level of the Bulgarian football pyramid, with a total of four divisions within it. The divisions themselves are geographically separated into Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest. This was the first season following the 2016 reorganization of the Bulgarian football league system, which saw the emergence of new a competition format, including the First and Second Professional Football Leagues.

## Changes from the 2015–16 season
### Club Movements Between V Group and B Group

The champions of the four 2015–16 V AFG divisions gained promotion to the 2016–17 Second League: Chernomorets Balchik from V AFG Northeast and Nesebar from V AFG Southeast, Etar Veliko Tarnovo from V AFG Northwest and CSKA Sofia from V AFG Southwest. Chernomorets Balchik refused to participate for financial reasons, while a new club CSKA Sofia was formed with the merger of Chavdar Etropole and Litex Lovech and was invited by the Bulgarian Football Union directly to the newly formed First League.
In return, four teams were relegated to the Third League: Dobrudzha Dobrich, Septemvri Simitli, Lokomotiv Mezdra and Litex Lovech II.

### Club Movements Between V Group and the Regional Groups

* Northeast: Ticha Dolni Chiflik and Dve Mogili were relegated last season to regional divisions. Benkovski Byala, Himik Devnya and Shumen did not apply for participation. Dobrudzha Dobrich was relegated from B Group. Marisan Ruse merged with Ruse into Lokomotiv Ruse, while Inter Plachidol moved to Dobrich. The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Spartak Varna, Dorostol Silistra and Hitrino.
* Northwest: Yantra Gabrovo, Botev Kozloduy and Gigant Belene were relegated from last season to regional divisions. Lokomotiv Mezdra, relegated from B Group last season, was not granted permission to participate due to unpaid dues to the Bulgarian Football Union. The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Miziya Knezha and Kom Berkovitsa. Dunav 98 Selanovtsi merged with Botev Kozloduy into Parva Atomna Kozloduy, while Botev Lukovit merged with Litex Lovech into Litex Lovech.
* Southeast: Chernomorets Burgas and Sliven were relegated from last season to regional divisions, while Spartak Plovdiv resigned shortly before the start of the season. Levski Karlovo joined the Second League. The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Atletik Kuklen, Arda Kardzhali, Vereya II, Elhovo and Lyubimets. The latter took the place of Spartak Plovdiv.
* Southwest: Balkan Varvara and Lokomotiv Sofia relegated from last season to regional divisions. Vitosha Bistritsa and Septemvri Sofia joined the Second League. Furthermore, Sofia 2010 merged into Tsarsko Selo and also joined the Second League. Septemvri Simitli was relegated from B Group. The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Chavdar Etropole, Hebar Pazardzhik, Marek Dupnitsa, Svoboda Peshtera and Balkan Botevgrad. Malesh Mikrevo merged with Pirin Razlog to form Pirin Razlog (11th in B Group last season and subsequently merged with Septemvri Sofia); Chiko Byaga merged with Hebar Pazardzhik into Hebar Pazardzhik, and Pravets merged with Chavdar Etropole into Chavdar Etropole.

## Northeast group
### Stadia and locations

| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
| Botev Novi Pazar | Novi Pazar | Gradski | 8,000 |
| Chernomorets Balchik | Balchik | Gradski | 3,100 |
| Dobrudzha Dobrich | Dobrich | Druzhba | 12,500 |
| Dorostol Silistra | Silistra | Louis Eyer | 12,000 |
| Hitrino | Hitrino | Hitrino | |
| Inter Dobrich | Dobrich | Druzhba (artificial ground) | |
| Kaliakra Kavarna | Kavarna | Kavarna | 5,000 |
| Kubrat | Kubrat | Gradski | 6,000 |
| Lokomotiv Ruse | Ruse | Dunav | 19,960 |
| Spartak Varna | Varna | Lokomotiv | 1,000 |
| Suvorovo | Suvorovo | Suvorovo | 1,000 |
| Svetkavitsa Targovishte | Targovishte | Dimitar Burkov | 5,000 |
| Septemvri Tervel | Tervel | Septemvri | 700 |

### Regular season

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Chernomorets Balchik | 22 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 7 | +42 | 60 | Qualification to Championship round |
| 2 | Dobrudzha Dobrich | 22 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 55 | 8 | +47 | 55 | Qualification to Championship round |
| 3 | Suvorovo | 22 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 41 | 20 | +21 | 39 | Qualification to Championship round |
| 4 | Kaliakra Kavarna | 22 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 33 | 24 | +9 | 36 | Qualification to Championship round |
| 5 | Botev Novi Pazar | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 21 | 37 | −16 | 34 | Qualification to Championship round |
| 6 | Septemvri Tervel | 22 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 21 | 25 | −4 | 28 | Qualification to Championship round |
| 7 | Lokomotiv Ruse | 22 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 28 | 24 | +4 | 27 | Qualification to Championship round |
| 8 | Svetkavitsa Targovishte | 22 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 28 | −13 | 23 | Qualification to Relegation round |
| 9 | Kubrat | 22 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 21 | 39 | −18 | 22 | Qualification to Relegation round |
| 10 | Hitrino | 22 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 18 | 32 | −14 | 20 | Qualification to Relegation round |
| 11 | Dorostol Silistra | 22 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 43 | −28 | 15 | Qualification to Relegation round |
| 12 | Spartak Varna (D, R) | 22 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 51 | −30 | 10 | Relegation to Regional Divions |
| 13 | Inter Dobrich (D, R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegation to Regional Divions |
* ↑ Marisan Ruse merged with Ruse into Lokomotiv Ruse on 23 June 2016.
* ↑ On 19 December 2016, Spartak Varna were deducted 3 points for non-attendance of their game against Chernomorets Balchik. On 22 February 2017, following non-attendance of their game against Kubrat, Spartak Varna were expelled from the league. All remaining fixtures are awarded 0–3 against them.
* ↑ Inter Plachidol moved to Dobrich on 17 June 2016.
* ↑ On 10 October 2016, Inter Dobrich resigned from participation, according to the club as a manner of protest against inadequate punishment of their player. All fixtures involving the team were annulled.

### Championship round

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion |
| 1 | Chernomorets Balchik (C, P) | 28 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 67 | 9 | +58 | 76 | Promotion to Second League |
| 2 | Dobrudzha Dobrich | 28 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 69 | 13 | +56 | 66 | |
| 3 | Suvorovo | 28 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 51 | 28 | +23 | 52 | |
| 4 | Kaliakra Kavarna | 28 | 12 | 4 | 12 | 42 | 38 | +4 | 40 | |
| 5 | Botev Novi Pazar | 28 | 12 | 1 | 15 | 23 | 51 | −28 | 37 | |
| 6 | Lokomotiv Ruse | 28 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 32 | 30 | +2 | 35 | |
| 7 | Septemvri Tervel | 28 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 26 | 38 | −12 | 32 | |

### Relegation round

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Svetkavitsa Targovishte | 25 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 29 | −12 | 27 |
| 2 | Kubrat | 25 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 24 | 42 | −18 | 25 |
| 3 | Hitrino | 25 | 6 | 4 | 15 | 20 | 36 | −16 | 22 |
| 4 | Dorostol Silistra | 25 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 17 | 44 | −27 | 20 |

## Southeast group
### Stadia and locations

| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
| Arda | Kardzhali | Perperek Stadium, Perperek | 420 |
| Asenovets | Asenovgrad | Shipka | 4,000 |
| Atletik | Kuklen | Atletik | 1,000 |
| Borislav | Parvomay | Gradski | 8,000 |
| Dimitrovgrad | Dimitrovgrad | Minyor | 10,000 |
| Elhovo | Elhovo | Stefan Karadzha | |
| Eurocollege | Plovdiv | Eurocollege Sport Complex, Orizari | |
| Gigant | Saedinenie | Saedinenie | 5,000 |
| Karnobat | Karnobat | Gradski | 3,000 |
| Lyubimets | Lyubimets | Gradski | 4,000 |
| Maritsa | Plovdiv | Maritsa | 8,000 |
| Minyor | Radnevo | Minyor | 2,000 |
| Rakovski | Rakovski | Franz Kokov | 3,000 |
| Rozova Dolina | Kazanlak | Sevtopolis | 15,000 |
| Svilengrad | Svilengrad | Kolodruma | 1,750 |
| Uragan | Boyadzhik | Madaba Stadium, Kabile | |
| Vereya II | Stara Zagora | Trace Arena | 3,000 |
| Zagorets | Nova Zagora | Zagorets | 5,900 |

### League table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| 1 | Zagorets Nova Zagora (C) | 34 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 77 | 13 | +64 | 84 | |
| 2 | Maritsa Plovdiv (P) | 34 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 95 | 25 | +70 | 78 | Promotion to Second League |
| 3 | Karnobat | 34 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 79 | 35 | +44 | 73 | |
| 4 | Rozova Dolina Kazanlak | 34 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 69 | 38 | +31 | 64 | |
| 5 | Atletik Kuklen | 34 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 58 | 44 | +14 | 53 | |
| 6 | Borislav Parvomay | 34 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 60 | 48 | +12 | 50 | |
| 7 | Eurocollege Plovdiv | 34 | 14 | 4 | 16 | 64 | 65 | −1 | 46 | |
| 8 | Uragan Boyadzhik | 34 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 55 | 66 | −11 | 45 | |
| 9 | Asenovets Asenovgrad | 34 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 50 | 56 | −6 | 44 | |
| 10 | Dimitrovgrad | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 35 | 39 | −4 | 43 | |
| 11 | Vereya II | 34 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 66 | 76 | −10 | 41 | |
| 12 | Gigant Saedinenie | 34 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 51 | 71 | −20 | 41 | |
| 13 | Svilengrad | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 41 | 52 | −11 | 41 | |
| 14 | Rakovski | 34 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 52 | 81 | −29 | 40 | |
| 15 | Minyor Radnevo | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 39 | 58 | −19 | 39 | |
| 16 | Arda Kardzhali | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 49 | 69 | −20 | 39 | |
| 17 | Lyubimets (R) | 34 | 9 | 6 | 19 | 38 | 79 | −41 | 33 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
| 18 | Elhovo (R) | 34 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 27 | 90 | −63 | 15 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
* 1 2 Zagorets declined promotion due to financial and organizational reasons; runners-up Maritsa Plovdiv took their place.
* 1 2 3 Vereya II ahead of Gigant Saedinenie and Svilengrad on head-to-head record; Vereya II 8 pts, Gigant Saedinenie 5 pts, Svilengrad 2 pts.
* 1 2 Minyor Radnevo ahead of Arda Kardzhali on head-to-head record; Arda Kardzhali–Minyor Radnevo 3–1, Minyor Radnevo–Arda Kardzhali 2–0.
* ↑ Lyubimets took the place of Spartak Plovdiv after the latter declared its withdrawal on 11 August 2016.

## Northwest group
### Stadia and locations

| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
| Bdin Vidin | Vidin | Georgi Benkovski | 15,000 |
| Kariana Erden | Erden | Kariana Sport Complex | 1,000 |
| Miziya Knezha | Knezha | Gradski | 1,000 |
| Kom Berkovitsa | Berkovitsa | Mramor | 3,000 |
| Levski | Levski | Levski | 6,000 |
| Litex Lovech | Lovech | Gradski | 8,100 |
| Juventus Malchika | Malchika | Georgi Karchev | 1,000 |
| Partizan Cherven Bryag | Cherven Bryag | Gradski | 700 |
| Parva Atomna Kozloduy | Kozloduy | Hristo Botev | 3,000 |
| Pavlikeni | Pavlikeni | Gancho Panov | 10,000 |
| Sevlievo | Sevlievo | Rakovski | 5,000 |
| Vihar Slavyanovo | Slavyanovo | Gradski | 1,000 |
| Akademik Svishtov | Svishtov | Akademik | 13,500 |
| Tryavna | Tryavna | Gradski | 3,000 |
| Yantra Gabrovo | Gabrovo | Hristo Botev | 14,000 |

### League table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| 1 | Litex Lovech (C, P) | 28 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 114 | 9 | +105 | 77 | Promotion to Second League |
| 2 | Kariana Erden | 28 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 90 | 18 | +72 | 67 | |
| 3 | Sevlievo | 28 | 18 | 4 | 6 | 69 | 33 | +36 | 58 | |
| 4 | Levski | 28 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 50 | 26 | +24 | 55 | |
| 5 | Bdin Vidin | 28 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 82 | 33 | +49 | 52 | |
| 6 | Vihar Slavyanovo | 28 | 15 | 5 | 8 | 70 | 29 | +41 | 50 | |
| 7 | Akademik Svishtov | 28 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 43 | 41 | +2 | 38 | |
| 8 | Parva Atomna Kozloduy | 28 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 43 | 56 | −13 | 35 | |
| 9 | Pavlikeni | 28 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 42 | 49 | −7 | 34 | |
| 10 | Yantra Gabrovo | 28 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 49 | 61 | −12 | 34 | |
| 11 | Tryavna | 28 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 35 | 50 | −15 | 31 | |
| 12 | Miziya Knezha | 28 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 38 | 59 | −21 | 31 | |
| 13 | Partizan Cherven Bryag | 28 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 23 | 72 | −49 | 23 | |
| 14 | Kom Berkovitsa (R) | 28 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 20 | 140 | −120 | 7 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
| 15 | Juventus Malchika (R) | 28 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 18 | 110 | −92 | 5 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
* ↑ Botev Lukovit merges with reestablished Litex Lovech into Litex Lovech.
* ↑ Dunav 98 (Selanovci) merges with Botev Kozloduy into Parva Atomna.
* 1 2 Pavlikeni ahead of Yantra Gabrovo on head-to-head record; Yantra Gabrovo–Pavlikeni 0–1, Pavlikeni–Yantra Gabrovo 1–1.
* 1 2 Tryavna ahead of Miziya Knezha on head-to-head record; Miziya Knezha–Tryavna 1–1, Tryavna–Miziya Knezha 0–0.

## Southwest group
### Stadia and locations

| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
| Balkan Botevgrad | Botevgrad | Hristo Botev | 8,000 |
| Belasitsa Petrich | Petrich | Kolarovo, Kolarovo | |
| Botev Ihtiman | Ihtiman | Hristo Botev | 5,000 |
| Chavdar Etropole | Etropole | Chavdar | 5,600 |
| Chepinets Velingrad | Velingrad | Chepinets | 8,000 |
| Germanea Sapareva Banya | Sapareva Banya | Sapareva Banya | 500 |
| Hebar Pazardzhik | Pazardzhik | Georgi Benkovski | 13,128 |
| Marek Dupnitsa | Dupnitsa | Bonchuk | 8,050 |
| Minyor Pernik | Pernik | Minyor | 8,000 |
| Pirin Gotse Delchev | Gotse Delchev | Gradski | 5,000 |
| Pirin Razlog | Razlog | Gradski | 6,500 |
| Rilski Sportist Samokov | Samokov | Iskar | 7,000 |
| Septemvri Simitli | Simitli | Struma | 8,000 |
| Slivnishki Geroy | Slivnitsa | Slivnishki Geroy | 7,000 |
| Strumska Slava | Radomir | Gradski | 5,000 |
| Svoboda Peshtera | Peshtera | Gradski | 3,500 |
| Velbazhd Kyustendil | Kyustendil | Osogovo | 13,000 |
| Vihren Sandanski | Sandanski | Sandanski | 6,000 |

### League table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| 1 | Strumska Slava (C, P) | 34 | 23 | 9 | 2 | 76 | 20 | +56 | 78 | Promotion to Second League |
| 2 | Septemvri Simitli | 34 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 62 | 28 | +34 | 72 | |
| 3 | Minyor Pernik | 34 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 58 | 37 | +21 | 68 | |
| 4 | Slivnishki Geroy | 34 | 19 | 2 | 13 | 69 | 39 | +30 | 59 | |
| 5 | Belasitsa Petrich | 34 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 52 | 34 | +18 | 59 | |
| 6 | Hebar Pazardzhik | 34 | 18 | 4 | 12 | 68 | 41 | +27 | 58 | |
| 7 | Chavdar Etropole | 34 | 17 | 2 | 15 | 60 | 46 | +14 | 53 | |
| 8 | Marek Dupnitsa | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 51 | 50 | +1 | 52 | |
| 9 | Rilski Sportist Samokov | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 53 | 61 | −8 | 43 | |
| 10 | Pirin Gotse Delchev | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 45 | 41 | +4 | 42 | |
| 11 | Pirin Razlog | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 36 | 55 | −19 | 41 | |
| 12 | Balkan Botevgrad | 34 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 54 | 55 | −1 | 40 | |
| 13 | Botev Ihtiman | 34 | 12 | 2 | 20 | 49 | 72 | −23 | 38 | |
| 14 | Germanea Sapareva Banya | 34 | 11 | 5 | 18 | 52 | 52 | 0 | 38 | |
| 15 | Vihren Sandanski | 34 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 36 | 46 | −10 | 37 | |
| 16 | Svoboda Peshtera | 34 | 11 | 4 | 19 | 36 | 75 | −39 | 37 | |
| 17 | Velbazhd Kyustendil (R) | 34 | 9 | 5 | 20 | 44 | 63 | −19 | 32 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
| 18 | Chepinets Velingrad (R) | 34 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 33 | 119 | −86 | 18 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
* 1 2 Slivnishki Geroy ahead of Belasitsa Petrich on head-to-head record; Belasitsa Petrich–Slivnishki Geroy 1–0, Slivnishki Geroy–Belasitsa Petrich 2–0.
* ↑ Chiko Byaga merges with Hebar Pazardzhik into Hebar Pazardzhik.
* ↑ Pravets merges with reestablished Chavdar Etropole into Chavdar Etropole.
* ↑ Malesh Mikrevo merges with reestablished Pirin Razlog into Pirin Razlog.
* 1 2 Botev Ihtiman ahead of Germanea Sapareva Banya on head-to-head record; Germanea Sapareva Banya–Botev Ihtiman 1–3, Botev Ihtiman–Germanea Sapareva Banya 1–0.
* 1 2 Vihren Sandanski ahead of Svoboda Peshtera on head-to-head record; Svoboda Peshtera–Vihren Sandanski 1–6, Vihren Sandanski–Svoboda Peshtera 3–1.
* ↑ Svoboda Peshtera was supposed to be relegated to A RFG Pazardzhik since two clubs from the Southwest region (Bansko and CSKA Sofia II) were relegated from 2016–17 Second League. However, CSKA Sofia II refused to participate in 2017–18 Third League, thus Svoboda Peshtera kept its place in the league.