The league was expanded to 16 after the last season, during which number of clubs left the Soviet competitions (from
Georgia and
Baltic states). The last-placed
FC Rotor Volgograd of the
1990 Soviet Top League lost promotion/relegation playoff to
Lokomotiv Moscow and was relegated to the
1991 Soviet First League. Rotor Volgograd returned to the
Soviet First League after two seasons absence, while at the same time
Lokomotiv Moscow returned to the
Soviet Top League after only a one-season absence. Beside the fourth placed Lokomotiv three more teams were promoted and included the champion (
FC Spartak Vladikavkaz) and the runners-up of the
1990 Soviet First League (
FC Pakhtakor Tashkent and
FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhia). •
FC Spartak Vladikavkaz – champions
(returning for the first time since 1970 after 20 seasons absence) •
FC Pakhtakor Tashkent – 2nd place
(returning after six seasons) •
FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhia – 3rd place
(debut) •
FC Lokomotiv Moscow – promotion play-off
(returning after a season) Locations Stadiums ==Managers==