Referee Mariyan Grebencharski to Officiate CSKA-Ludogorets as Levski Nears Title

Key facts

• Mariyan Grebencharski will referee the match between CSKA and Ludogorets on May 2, 2026.
• Kristiyan Kolev will lead the officiating team for Levski vs. CSKA 1948, where Levski could secure the title.
• Ventsislav Mitrev has been appointed to referee the Plovdiv derby between Botev and Lokomotiv.
• The second round of efbet Liga playoffs takes place on May 1-2, 2026.
• Martin Zhivkov Velikov will officiate the Friday 17:30 match on May 1.
• Georgi Petrov Stoyanov is the referee for the Friday 20:00 match on May 1.
• Dimitar Dimtrov Dimtrov will referee the Saturday 14:00 match on May 2.
• Nikola Antonov Popov is assigned to the Saturday 16:30 match on May 2.

Title Decider Looms as Referees Announced

The Bulgarian Football Union’s Referee Committee has released the officiating assignments for the second round of the efbet Liga playoffs, with high-stakes matches that could decide the championship. Levski, currently leading the table, can clinch the title with a victory over CSKA 1948 at home. The match will be overseen by referee Kristiyan Kolev and his crew.

Grebencharski Takes Charge of CSKA vs. Ludogorets

Mariyan Grebencharski has been appointed to referee the clash between CSKA and Ludogorets, two of the league’s traditional powerhouses. The match is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 16:30 local time. Grebencharski’s assistants will be Ivo Nikolaev Kolev and Svetoslav Kolev Enchev, with Nikola Antonov Popov serving as fourth official.

Plovdiv Derby Under Mitrev’s Watch

The Plovdiv derby between Botev and Lokomotiv will be officiated by Ventsislav Mitrev. The match is set for Saturday, May 2, at 14:00. Mitrev will be supported by assistant referees Darin Vasilev Ivanov and Nikolay Georgiev Popnikolov, with Kristiyan Mladenov Todorov as fourth official.

Friday Night Football Opens the Round

The second round kicks off on Friday, May 1, with two matches. At 17:30, Martin Zhivkov Velikov will referee, assisted by Krasimir Atanasov Atanasov and Hristo Plamenov Hadzhiyski, with Hristiyana Krasimirova Guteva as fourth official. The 20:00 match will be led by Georgi Petrov Stoyanov, with Georgi Yordanov Doynov and Todor Vasilev Vukov as assistants, and Antonio Todorov Antov as fourth official.

VAR Officials Named for Each Fixture

Each match will have a designated Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and assistant VAR. For the Friday 17:30 match, Stanimir Lozanov Trenchev will be VAR, with Vladimir Valkov Valkov as assistant. The Friday 20:00 match VAR is Georgi Milkov Ginchev, assisted by Georgi Dimitrov Davidov. On Saturday, the 14:00 match VAR is Dragomir Dimitrov Draganov, with Krasimir Margaritov Krastev as assistant. For the CSKA-Ludogorets match, the VAR team has not been listed in the available excerpts.

Playoff Stakes and Title Race Context

The efbet Liga playoffs determine the champion and European qualification spots. Levski’s potential title-clinching match against CSKA 1948 adds immense pressure on referee Kristiyan Kolev. CSKA and Ludogorets, both vying for European places, will look to gain an edge under Grebencharski’s supervision. The Plovdiv derby carries local pride and positioning in the standings.

What to Watch For

All eyes will be on Levski’s home fixture, where a win secures the championship. The officiating decisions in the CSKA-Ludogorets and Plovdiv derby could influence the final standings. The Referee Committee’s selections aim to ensure impartiality in these critical matches. Fans and clubs will scrutinize every call as the season reaches its climax.

The bottom line

• Kristiyan Kolev will referee Levski vs. CSKA 1948, where Levski can win the title.
• Mariyan Grebencharski officiates the CSKA vs. Ludogorets match on May 2.
• Ventsislav Mitrev handles the Plovdiv derby between Botev and Lokomotiv.
• The second playoff round takes place on May 1-2, 2026, with four matches.
• VAR officials have been assigned for all matches except CSKA-Ludogorets (not listed).
• The referee appointments are critical as the title and European places are decided.