Defending champions Paro FC have set the pace, but the Bhutan Premier League 2026 title race remains far from decided. Thimphu City FC and Transport United FC are closely chasing the leaders as all teams completed their first-round fixtures yesterday. The second round will begin tomorrow, with Transport United FC taking on Ugyen Academy FC at Changlimithang Stadium.
Paro FC finished the first round at the top of the table with 22 points from nine matches. The Tigers recorded seven wins, one draw, and one defeat. They also have the best attacking and defensive records in the league, scoring 36 goals and conceding only eight.
In their final first-round match, Paro FC defeated Thimphu FC 5-1 at Changlimithang Stadium yesterday. Paro opened the scoring in the 32nd minute and added two more goals within five minutes. Thimphu FC scored in the 54th minute after the break, but the Tigers responded with two more goals to seal the victory.
Thimphu City FC remain second with 20 points. The Citizens have six wins, two draws, and one defeat from nine matches. They have also recorded the best defensive record, conceding only six goals while scoring 23.
Thimphu City ended their first-round campaign with a 4-nil win over Tensung FC at the Military Training Centre ground in Wangdue Phodrang. They scored twice in the first half and added two more goals after the break to secure three points.
Transport United FC are third with 18 points. They remain in contention after winning six matches in the opening round.
Transport United secured a narrow 1-nil victory over Ugyen Academy FC in their final match at the Ugyen Academy Artificial Turf in Punakha. The winning goal came in the dying minutes of the match.
RTC FC occupy fourth place with 14 points after four wins, two draws, and three defeats. They ended the first round with a 3-3 draw against Tsirang FC.
Tsirang took an early lead by scoring in the first minute and doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute. RTC pulled one back before Tsirang restored their two-goal lead. However, RTC made a strong comeback in the second half with two goals to share points.
Thimphu FC are fifth with 13 points, while Tsirang FC complete the top six with 11 points.
BFF Academy U-20 are seventh, level on points with Tsirang FC but behind on goal difference. The young side has scored 17 goals, the fifth-highest tally in the league.
BFF Academy U20 finished their first-round campaign with a 2-2 draw against Drukpa FC at Changlimithang Stadium. BFF took the lead in the 18th minute, but Drukpa equalised two minutes later. Drukpa moved ahead in the second half before BFF found the equaliser in the 75th minute.
Drukpa FC are eighth with 10 points. Despite having a positive goal difference, four draws have limited their progress.
At the bottom of the table, Tensung FC and Ugyen Academy FC continue to struggle. Tensung FC are ninth with five points, while Ugyen Academy FC remain at the bottom with three points.
Paro FC have the advantage, but the road to the title is far from complete. With nine more matches ahead, the second round could bring new challenges, surprises, and a shift in the race for the Bhutan Premier League crown.
Karma Wangdi
