Bregalnica Štip vs Vardar — 10th-round derby in Shtip

Today, October 17, 2026, the round-robin in the Macedonian First League heats up as Bregalnica Štip hosts Vardar in the headline match of the 10th round. The fixture — the opening game of the second half of the season — kicks off under the Isar at 14:00.

Match context and stakes

Bregalnica arrive to the derby under pressure: after the first half of the season the Štip side collected only 10 points and sit seventh in the standings. The club and its supporters had hoped for a stronger start, so today’s match is viewed as an opportunity to reverse course.

Home fans expect the players to give their maximum, push for a win against last season’s champions and at minimum avoid defeat in front of their crowd. Tension is traditionally high when these old rivals meet at Isar.

Vardar go into the game as clear favourites. The reigning champions have closed the gap to leaders Shkëndija (T) to three points. After a run of strong results — 10 points taken from a possible 12 across their last four matches — Vardar sit third with 17 points, the same total as second-placed Struga TL.

With the title race still unfolding, clubs see this phase as decisive: the champions will be keen to collect all three points in Shtip and keep the pressure on Shkëndija at the summit.

The derby starts at 14:00 at Isar; fans in Štip and across the league will be watching closely as the autumn campaign enters a crucial phase.

Photo: press material from the event