The Premier League is Russia's highest football division. It was established in 2001 and consists of 16 clubs. At the end of the season, the last two are relegated to a lower division FNL and are replaced by the top two teams in the First Division. Clubs in 13th and 14th place compete in a barrage with teams in third and fourth place in the second tier of Russian football. The first two teams in the Premier League qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, and the third team in the standings plays in the qualifiers for the same tournament. The fourth and fifth place teams win the right to play in the Europa League.

The one and only team, which has become a champion of Russia, and after that was relegated from the elite is Alanya. Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and CSKA Moscow were never relegated.

Spartak Moscow has won the most titles in the Russian Premier League - a total of 10. It is followed by CSKA Moscow (6), Zenit (4), Lokomotiv Moscow (3), Rubin (2) and Alania (1). Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and CSKA Moscow are leading in the eternal ranking.

Oleg Veretnikov has scored the most goals in one season - 25 goals in 1995. Lokomotiv Moscow has the most consecutive unbeaten streak - 27. The record for the consecutive victories is held by CSKA Moscow - 12.

Sergei Semak played the most matches in the Premier League - 455. Two other players have more than 400 games - Dmitry Loskov (452) and Igor Semshov (419).

The league's top scorer is Oleg Veretennikov with 143 goals, with Alexander Kerzhakov and Dmitry Kirichenko sharing second place with 129 goals each.