Honestly, if you're still only watching the Premier League or La Liga, you're kind of missing out on the rawest drama in European football. We're talking about the SuperSport HNL, or what most of us still just call the Croatia 1 HNL league. It’s a ten-team shark tank where nobody is safe, and the 2025/26 season has been nothing short of a fever dream.
Dinamo Zagreb usually runs the show. That’s the "boring" truth people tell you. But right now? They are clinging to first place by a single point. One. Point.
Hajduk Split is breathing down their necks with 37 points to Dinamo’s 38. And it isn’t just about the points; it’s about the soul of the game. You've got the northern, industrial precision of Zagreb clashing with the chaotic, Mediterranean passion of Split. It’s a culture war disguised as a soccer match.
What’s Actually Happening in the Croatia 1 HNL League Right Now?
Let's look at the table because it’s wild. As of mid-January 2026, Dinamo sits at the top, but they’ve already dropped four games. In previous years, they might lose twice a season. This year, teams like Istra 1961 and Slaven Belupo are actually showing up.
Istra is sitting in third, which is frankly insane for a club of their size. They’ve managed to grit out 26 points from 17 matches. Meanwhile, HNK Rijeka, usually a staple of the top three, is stuck in fifth. They’ve been drawing too many games—six so far—and it’s killing their momentum.
Vukovar 1991, the newcomers who everyone expected to get relegated immediately, are fighting like hell in 9th place. They aren't pretty to watch, but they are survivalists. On the flip side, NK Osijek is in a full-blown crisis. They are dead last. 14 points. For a club with a brand-new stadium (the Opus Arena) and a decent budget, it’s a total disaster.
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The Numbers You Need to Know
- Dinamo Zagreb: 38 pts (12W, 2D, 4L)
- Hajduk Split: 37 pts (11W, 4D, 3L)
- Istra 1961: 26 pts (7W, 5D, 5L)
- Top Scorer: Michele Šego (Hajduk Split) with 10 goals.
The Eternal Derby: More Than Just a Game
If you want to understand the Croatia 1 HNL league, you have to understand the "Vječni derbi." The Eternal Derby.
When Dinamo and Hajduk play, the country basically stops. But 2026 has been different. Usually, the tension is just in the stands with the Bad Blue Boys and Torcida. Lately, the drama has moved into the boardrooms and the bank accounts.
Hajduk Split is currently navigating a massive financial tightrope. Reports from early 2026 suggest the club narrowly avoided a catastrophic bankruptcy thanks to a last-minute intervention involving the HNS (Croatian Football Federation) and private stakeholders. It’s a miracle they are even competing for the title, let alone sitting one point off the lead.
The contrast is staggering. Dinamo sells players like Joško Gvardiol or Martin Baturina for tens of millions. They have the "Dinamo Academy" machine. Hajduk has the "People's Club" spirit, but spirit doesn't always pay the electricity bill at Poljud Stadium.
Why Michele Šego is the Name on Everyone's Lips
Michele Šego has been a revelation this season. He’s already bagged 10 goals. In a league where defenses are notoriously "crunchy" (read: they will kick you), his movement has been world-class.
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He’s currently outperforming Dion Drena Beljo, the Dinamo frontman who everyone thought would run away with the Golden Boot. Beljo has 8, which is fine, but Šego is carrying an entire city’s hopes on his back.
The Quality Gap and the Future of the HNL
There's a weird paradox in Croatian football. The national team is legendary—World Cup finalists, semi-finalists, always punching above their weight. But the domestic league? It struggles with infrastructure.
Aside from Osijek’s new stadium and Rijeka’s Rujevica, some of these pitches look like they’ve seen better days in the 80s. But that's part of the charm. It’s "heavy" football.
The HNS recently signed a record-breaking TV rights deal worth nearly €60 million starting in the 2026/27 season. This is huge. It means more money for the smaller clubs like Varaždin and Gorica. The goal is to close the gap so that the title isn't just a two-horse race every single year.
Is the League Getting Weaker?
Some critics say yes. With legends like Luka Modrić nearing the end of their era, there’s a fear of a generational gap. The HNL is the feeder system for the national team. If the league's quality dips, the Vatreni dip.
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But look at the market values. Toni Fruk at Rijeka is valued at €9 million. Ismaël Bennacer (who made a surprising move to the league) is also up there. The talent is still there; it just gets exported too fast.
How to Watch and Follow the Action
If you're outside Croatia, watching the SuperSport HNL is... tricky. Basically, MAX Sport holds the rights. If you’re in the US or UK, you usually need a specialized sports package or a VPN to access Croatian streams.
But honestly, just following the live tickers or the highlights on YouTube is a trip. The games are unpredictable. You’ll see a 5-0 blowout like Rijeka beating Hajduk back in November 2025, followed by a 0-0 grind between two bottom-feeders the next day.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking to get into the Croatia 1 HNL league, here is the ground truth for the rest of the 2025/26 season:
- Don't bet against the home underdog in Istra. The Stadion Aldo Drosina is a nightmare for the big clubs. They play a suffocating defensive style that frustrates everyone.
- Watch the yellow cards. This league is physical. Referees in the HNL aren't shy about reaching for the pocket.
- Keep an eye on Michele Šego's transfer status. If Hajduk’s financial situation worsens, they might be forced to sell him in the next window. That would effectively hand the title to Dinamo.
- Follow the "Lokosi" (Lokomotiva). They are Dinamo’s "feeder" club in a way, but they often play the most attractive, attacking football in the league because they have nothing to lose.
The HNL isn't just a league; it’s a weekly soap opera played out on grass. Whether it's the flares at Poljud or the tactical chess match at Maksimir, it remains one of the most underrated sports products in Europe.
Next Steps for You: If you want to track the title race in real-time, your best bet is to follow the official SuperSport HNL app or check the "Hrvatska NL" stats on FBref. The league resumes with heavy fixtures in February, and the next "Eternal Derby" is scheduled for March 7, 2026, at Poljud. That match will likely decide who lifts the trophy in May.