The Russian Professional Football League (RPFL) is the second tier of professional football in Russia. It operates below the Russian Premier League and features clubs from across the country. The league was established to promote competitive football and develop talent, providing a platform for teams to gain promotion to the top division. The RPFL consists of several groups based on geographical regions, with teams competing in a round-robin format. The top teams at the end of the season have the opportunity to move up to the Russian Premier League, while the lower-ranked teams may face relegation to lower divisions.