Football had been played in Russia since the Russian Empire days in the early 1900s, but it was not until 1936, 19 years after the Russian Revolution, that the Soviet Union established a national championship of clubs. Before then local leagues in Moscow and Saint Petersburg/Leningrad were the only prominent league competitions in the country, with some national championships held intermittently from 1912 to 1933, made up of city selections.
FIFA considers the Russian Premier League to be the successor of the former Soviet Top League. Spartak Moscow !Spartak Moscow holds the record for most league titles won, 21 titles. The Soviet League was for most of its existence amateur, at least in theory (see shamateurism), but the Russian League has been professional since its inception.
Teams in bold indicates doubles won with the Soviet Cup before 1992 and with the Russian Cup thereafter. Teams in italics include Cup winners between the 2nd and 3rd league places.
Total wins
14 clubs have won the league title, but only eight still compete in the Russian football league system and are eligible for the title. Lokomotiv, Rubin and Alania have never been Soviet Top League champions. Non-Russian clubs now compete in their own leagues. Years in italics indicate Soviet seasons.