As in the previous year, 20 clubs participate in this year championship. It features eleven clubs from
2009 Russian First Division, two clubs relegated from
2009 Russian Premier League, five zone winners from
2009 Russian Second Division, one of the second-placed clubs from
2009 Russian Second Division and one of the third-placed clubs from
2009 Russian Second Division.
Movement between Premier League and First Division Anzhi Makhachkala as
2009 champions and
Sibir Novosibirsk as runners-up have been promoted to the
Premier League. They will be replaced by
relegated teams Kuban Krasnodar and
Khimki.
Movement between First Division and Second Division Nosta Novotroitsk,
Chita,
Chernomorets Novorossiysk,
Metallurg Lipetsk and
MVD Rossii Moscow who placed in the last 5 places respectively in
2009 were relegated to the
Russian Second Division. The relegated teams were replaced by the five
2009 Second Division zone winners. These were
Dynamo Saint Petersburg (West),
Avangard Kursk (Centre),
Zhemchuzhina-Sochi (South),
Mordovia Saransk (Ural-Povolzhye) and
Irtysh Omsk (East).
Further team changes Due to financial difficulties,
Vityaz Podolsk who placed 11th in
2009, decided to give up their spot in the
Russian First Division and participate in the
Russian Second Division in 2010. Pending licensing, their place was taken by
FC Volgograd who placed 3rd in the
Russian Second Division (South Zone) in 2009. For the occasion the management decided to change the name of the club from
FC Volgograd to
Rotor Volgograd.
FC Alania Vladikavkaz were promoted into the
2010 Russian Premier League after
FC Moscow dropped out due to financial reasons. It was replaced by
FC Dynamo Bryansk. Dynamo Bryansk originally refused to be promoted when offered Vityaz's spot, but by the time Alania's spot became available, they found new financial commitments and agreed to participate in the First Division. ==Overview==