2008–09 Nemzeti Bajnokság I

The 2008–09 Nemzeti Bajnokság I, also known as NB I, was the 107th season of top-tier football in Hungary. The league was officially named Soproni Liga for sponsoring reasons. The season started on 25 July 2008 with Kaposvári Rákóczi FC beating the defending champions MTK Budapest by 3–1. The last games were played on 30 May 2009.

Promotion and relegation

FC Sopron withdrew their participation in the winter break of last year's season after they declared bankruptcy. The team was put into last place and got all points deducted. The remaining relegation spot was earned by FC Tatabánya, who finished the season with a mere 10 points.

Promotion to the league was granted to the champions of the two NB II divisions. Kecskeméti TE won the Eastern Division while the winners of the Western Division were Szombathelyi Haladás.

Overview

Debreceni VSC won their fourth leaguetitle, and their first under András Herczeg. Újpest and Debrecen were constantly battling for the #1 spot on the table throughout the campaign; Újpest lost only one game in their first 24 matches, and were leading the table four points over Debrecen in October. Újpest held on to their lead through the spring, even handing Debrecen their only defeat in the second half of the season, after a 2-0 defeat at Szusza Ferenc Stadium thanks to goals from Rajczi and Kabát. However, after Matchday 25, Újpest and Debrecen were joint on points due to Újpest's 3-2 defeat at MTK. Újpest went on to lose 4 of their remaining 6 fixtures, while Debrecen ended up winning all but one of their last six matches.

DVSC officially became champions on the 22nd of May, after beating Diósgyőr 3-2 in Miskolc Matchday 29. Újpest on the other hand blew a 3-1 lead at ETO-Park, and conceded an 89' minute goal to have their title hopes blown up, as they lost the game 4-3. One week later, the purple and whites lost their first home game in over a year, after suffering a 1-2 defeat against Fehérvár.