Olimps Rīga were relegated after finishing the relegation round in last place. They were replaced by
First League champions
FK Daugava Riga.
Blāzma won the promotion/relegation play-off against
Tranzīts Ventspils with 6–1 on aggregate. However, after several mergers and withdrawals Tranzīts were also awarded a place in Virslīga, as the runners-up of First League.
FK Rīga withdrew due to unpaid debts. They eventually merged with
Olimps Rīga and created a new club called
Olimps/RFS. The new club plays in Virslīga, what saved Olimps Rīga from relegation. On 12 January 2009
Vindava withdrew from Virslīga due to financial reasons.
FK Jūrmala merged with
JFC Kauguri/Multibanka, which is also a merger of
JFC Kauguri Jūrmala and
FK Multibanka Rīga, to a new club named
FK Jūrmala-VV. The new club carried over the players and other personnel from FK Jūrmala.
Daugava Daugavpils and
Dinaburg also merged and remained under the Dinaburg FC name. It is not yet certain which club's staff will operate the new club. Dinaburg also took Daugava's
2009–10 UEFA Europa League spot. ==League table==