Klubi i Futbollit Shkëndija (Macedonian: äÃÂôñðûÃÂúø úûÃÂñ èúõýôøÃÂð; lit. 'Football Club Shkëndija'), commonly known as Shkëndija, is a professional football club from Tetovo, North Macedonia. Founded in 1979 by members of the local Albanian community, the club is closely associated with red-and-black colours and the ultras group Ballistët. Shkëndija play home matches at the modern Ecolog Arena in Tetovo and, since August 2013, have operated under the ownership of the Tetovo-based company Ecolog International.
After being dissolved in the early 1980s, the club was re-established in 1992 following Macedonian independence and climbed back through the domestic pyramid, earning a first promotion to the top flight in 1996âÂÂ97. Shkëndija won their first national championship in the 2010âÂÂ11 season with 72 points (21âÂÂ9âÂÂ3) and lifted the inaugural Macedonian Football Supercup a few weeks later. Sustained investment in the mid-2010s turned the club into a regular contender; league titles followed in 2017âÂÂ18, 2018âÂÂ19, 2020âÂÂ21 and 2024âÂÂ25.
Internationally, Shkëndija debuted in the 2011âÂÂ12 UEFA Champions League qualifiers and have twice reached the UEFA Europa League play-off round (2016âÂÂ17, 2017âÂÂ18), losing to Gent and Milan respectively. Their deepest Champions League run came in 2018âÂÂ19, eliminating The New Saints and Sheriff before falling to Salzburg in Q3 and then to Rosenborg in the Europa League play-off. In the 2020âÂÂ21 Q3 they hosted Tottenham Hotspur in Skopje (1âÂÂ3), a match preceded by a goalframe measurement controversy that led to the replacement of undersized posts. In 2025âÂÂ26 qualifying, Shkëndija beat The New Saints in Q1 and upset FCSB in Q2 (3âÂÂ1 agg.) to reach Q3.
Shkëndija's principal rivalry is the Tetovo derby with FK Teteks, which has produced several high-risk fixtures and the 2013 cup final abandonment; derbies are also contested with FK Renova, FK Vardar, and KF Shkupi.
KF Shkëndija was founded on 27 August 1979 in Tetovo by ethnic Albanians, emerging from a local multi-sport society and adopting red-and-black as club colours. Starting in the municipal league, the club drew large local support and quickly climbed the Yugoslav pyramid; contemporary club records note the first official match finished 4âÂÂ0 for Shkëndija against FK Kosmos. As its popularity grew among Albanians in SR Macedonia, authorities in socialist Yugoslavia came to view the club through a nationalist lens; Shkëndija was dissolved in the early 1980s and remained inactive for the rest of the decade. The club was re-established in 1992 following Macedonian independence and began its climb back through the domestic league system.
Following Macedonian independence in 1991, Shkëndija was re-established in 1992 and restarted in the lower regional leagues. By 1994âÂÂ95 the club was competing in the Second League (West), finishing runners-up behind Makedonija Skopje. The following season Shkëndija won the West group and earned promotion, appearing in the 1996âÂÂ97 First League before being relegated at the end of that campaign. After several seasons yo-yoing between the top two tiers, Shkëndija again won the Second League (West) in 1999âÂÂ2000 to return to the top flight. The club also made its first national cup final in 2005âÂÂ06, losing 3âÂÂ2 to Makedonija G.P. in Skopje. Shkëndija captured the Second League title again in 2009âÂÂ10 to earn promotion ahead of their breakthrough 2010âÂÂ11 championship season. During this period the ultras group Ballistët was formally established (1992) and became a defining feature of the club's support.
In the 2010âÂÂ11 season, newly promoted Shkëndija won their first national title, finishing top with 72 points (21âÂÂ9âÂÂ3). The triumph brought a first appearance in UEFA competitions, where Shkëndija faced FK Partizan in the 2011âÂÂ12 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, losing 0âÂÂ5 on aggregate (0âÂÂ4 in Belgrade, 0âÂÂ1 in Skopje). Domestically, Shkëndija won the inaugural Macedonian Football Supercup by defeating Metalurg 2âÂÂ1 on 24 July 2011 at the national arena in Skopje. The club finished third in the 2011âÂÂ12 league with 66 points. The following year brought turbulence: in September 2012 UEFA temporarily withheld Shkëndija's European prize money under new financial-fair-play measures, and on 1 August 2013 the Tetovo-based company Ecolog International formally took charge of the club after a supporter-led campaign amid financial strain.
During the 2012âÂÂ13 season, Shkëndija was embroiled in financial difficulties and as a result, many of its players left the club earlier in the summer. The Shkëndija supporters, the Ballistët, began a social media campaign requesting Ecolog to take over Shkëndija. Albanian international, Lorik Cana and Swiss international, Xherdan Shaqiri also joined the campaign with the supporters. On 31 July 2013, Lazim Destani, father of Ecolog founder and chairman, Nazif Destani, announced Ecolog International will take charge of Shkëndija.
With increased investment, Shkëndija rebuilt its squad and cycled through several managers in the following years. Shpëtim Duro took over in December 2015 and led the club until December 2016. After a brief return by Jeton Bekjiri and a short stint by Bruno AkrapoviÃÂ, Thomas Brdariàwas appointed in January 2017. He was succeeded by Qatip Osmani, with Osmani eventually leading the team to its most dominant period. Under Osmani, Shkëndija won back-to-back league titles in 2017âÂÂ18 and 2018âÂÂ19, and completed the domestic double in 2018.
The club also had its most notable European campaigns in this period. Shkëndija reached the UEFA Europa League play-offs twice (2016âÂÂ17, 2017âÂÂ18) and participated in the 2018âÂÂ19 UEFA Champions League qualifiers, reaching the third round before being eliminated by Red Bull Salzburg.
In October 2019, Albanian coach Ernest Gjoka took over and guided Shkëndija to their fourth league title in the 2020âÂÂ21 season. Gjoka departed in August 2021 and was succeeded by Bruno AkrapoviÃÂ, who led the club until April 2022. Artim à  akiri briefly managed the club before Qatip Osmani returned in September 2022 and remained until May 2023.
In June 2023, former Macedonian international Ardian Nuhiu was appointed as manager. He led the team through the first half of the 2023âÂÂ24 season before departing in December 2023. On 13 May 2025, Shkëndija secured the Macedonian First League title for the fifth time in the club's history following a 2âÂÂ1 home victory over FK Rabotnicki. The Tetovo-based club was declared champion with two rounds remaining in the season.
In July 2025, Shkëndija eliminated FCSB 3âÂÂ1 on aggregate (1âÂÂ0 at the Toà ¡e Proeski Arena in Skopje and 2âÂÂ1 at the Arena NaÃÂionalàin Bucharest) in the 2025âÂÂ26 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, advancing to the third qualifying round for the first time; the result was reported as a historic upset for the Tetovo club. Under UEFA's new format, teams losing in the UCL play-off round move into the UEFA Europa League league phase; thus, reaching the play-off would guarantee Shkëndija a first-ever appearance in a major European league phase.
In the third qualifying round of the 2025âÂÂ26 UEFA Champions League, Shkëndija were eliminated by Qarabaàwith a 6âÂÂ1 aggregate score. After a narrow 1âÂÂ0 defeat away, they suffered a heavy 5âÂÂ1 loss in the return leg in Baku, confirming elimination at this stage.
Shkëndija moved into the UEFA Europa League play-off round, where they faced Ludogorets Razgrad. The Tetovo side put up a strong fight in the first leg, winning 2âÂÂ1 at home. However, their campaign ended after a 4âÂÂ1 defeat (after extra time) in the return leg in Razgrad, resulting in a 5âÂÂ3 aggregate loss. Despite the elimination, Shkëndija's European journey continuedâÂÂinstead of exiting completely, they secured a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, marking the first time the club would compete in a major European league format.
The main supporters of Shkëndija are the Ballistët, an ultras group from Tetovo founded in 1992 whose name references the World War II Albanian nationalist movement Balli Kombëtar. They follow the club at the Ecolog Arena and are noted for politically charged tifos and large away followings.
Notable incidents include the abandonment of the 2012âÂÂ13 Macedonian Cup final between Shkëndija and FK Teteks amid nationalist chanting (the rematch was ordered behind closed doors), a 19 October 2014 display during the derby with FK Vardar showing a banner reading "They are cancer of Europe â UEFA do you need more?!" in reference to the SerbiaâÂÂAlbania match controversy, and a mass fight on 21 February 2016 near Skopje involving Shkëndija fans and BuduÃÂnost PodgoricaâÂÂs ultras Varvari.
In April 2025, the Football Federation of Macedonia sanctioned Shkëndija with several home matches behind closed doors and a fine following improper fan conduct; the punishment was later reduced on appeal. Despite periodic controversy, Ballistët remain central to Shkëndija's matchday culture and the club's Albanian fan base in North Macedonia.
Shkëndija play home matches at the Ecolog Arena in Tetovo, formerly known as Tetovo City Stadium (Macedonian: Gradski stadion Tetovo). The ground is owned by the Municipality of Tetovo and operated by Ecolog International; it dates to 1981 and has a capacity of about 15,000.
In late 2023 the Municipality of Tetovo gave the go-ahead for a major reconstruction/new-stadium project (estimated at â¬9.7 million) intended to bring the venue to international standard and host national-team matches in Tetovo. A public tender for reconstruction followed, and on 18 March 2024 the municipality (via NP "Transport Tetovë") signed a contract with "E-Properties," a company owned by Ecolog International, covering construction/reconstruction of the city stadium, sports centre and football field (contract value â¬11.5 million). Local media reporting on the presented concept referred to the project as "Arena Tetovare" and indicated a capacity around 12,000 seats, to be delivered with Ecolog's backing and municipal support.
In mid-2025 KOHA reported that renovation works at the city stadium were scheduled to begin in the autumn, with Shkëndija meanwhile staging some UEFA fixtures at Skopje's national Toà ¡e Proeski Arena.
Shkëndija's traditional colours are red and black, adopted at the club's founding and closely tied to the Albanian community identity in Tetovo. The home kit has typically featured red-and-black striping, while recent away kits are predominantly white; third kits vary by season. According to kit databases, Shkëndija have worn Macron since 2015 (previously Nike).
The club crest is an elongated oval with a black border: the upper field is white with the inscription âÂÂKF SHKÃÂNDIJA,â a classic football appears centrally, and a red scroll with âÂÂTETOVà1979â overlays red-and-black vertical stripes in the lower half. In the 2010s a version of the badge began to be used with a gold five-pointed star above the oval.
Shkëndija's principal rivalry is the Tetovo derby against city neighbours FK Teteks. The match carries an ethnic dimension (Teteks supported largely by ethnic Macedonians, Shkëndija by ethnic Albanians) and is classed among North Macedonia's established derbies. Encounters have frequently been designated "high risk" and have seen crowd incidents and federation sanctions, including a disorder-marred league meeting in August 2010 and subsequent punishments for both clubs. The rivalry peaked at national level in the 2013 Cup final, which was abandoned after 20 minutes due to nationalist chanting and replayed behind closed doors; Teteks won the re-staged final on penalties.
Shkëndija also contests a local derby with FK Renova, another Tetovo-area club; media and match reports regularly describe their meetings as a "Tetovo derby".
At national level, matches with FK Vardar are often framed as a leading title-race rivalry and have periodically been played under sanctions. Notable flashpoints include the 19 October 2014 game when Shkëndija's ultras displayed a provocative banner about Serbian hooliganism, and an Football Federation of Macedonia ruling for one match behind closed doors after incidents in the Vardar derby in 2016. The fixture has also produced emphatic scorelines in Shkëndija's favour in the 2010s.
Shkëndija also maintains a heated rivalry with KF Shkupi of Skopje. Because both clubs draw predominantly Albanian supportâÂÂBallistët (Shkëndija) and "Shvercerat" (Shkupi)âÂÂlocal media often label the fixture the "Albanian derby," and authorities frequently classify it as high-risk. A notable flashpoint came in the Macedonian Cup quarter-final on 9 November 2022 at ÃÂair, when the match was abandoned in the 9th minute after a pitch invasion moments after Dashmir Elezi had put Shkëndija ahead; the Football Federation of Macedonia awarded a 3âÂÂ0 win to Shkëndija and suspended Shkupi's ground. Results have swung both ways: Shkupi beat Shkëndija 2âÂÂ0 in KiÃÂevo on 19 February 2023, while Shkëndija won 2âÂÂ0 in Tetovo on 27 November 2024; several meetings have ended level, including a 1âÂÂ1 draw in September 2021. However, in 2022 the 2 ultra groups declared good relations after a meeting in Prekaz.
The following former Shkëndija players have made at least one appearance for a senior national team.
Shkëndija made their European debut in the 2011âÂÂ12 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, losing 0âÂÂ5 on aggregate to FK Partizan. After early exits in the UEFA Europa League (2012âÂÂ13 v. Portadown; 2014âÂÂ15 v. Zimbru), the club's first notable run came in 2015âÂÂ16, when they drew both legs with Aberdeen (1âÂÂ1 agg.) but went out on away goals in Q1.
Shkëndija twice reached the Europa League play-off round. In 2016âÂÂ17 they advanced to the play-offs but lost 1âÂÂ6 on aggregate to Gent. In 2017âÂÂ18 they again reached the play-offs after three qualifying wins, falling 0âÂÂ7 on aggregate to Milan.
Their deepest Champions League path came in 2018âÂÂ19, defeating The New Saints and Sheriff before a 0âÂÂ4 aggregate loss to Salzburg in Q3; they then moved to the Europa League play-off, where Rosenborg advanced 5âÂÂ1 on aggregate.
In the 2020âÂÂ21 UEFA Europa League third qualifying round, Shkëndija lost 1âÂÂ3 to Tottenham Hotspur at the Toà ¡e Proeski Arena in Skopje on 24 September 2020; the goals came from Erik Lamela (5'), Valjmir Nafiu (55'), Son Heung-min (70') and Harry Kane (79'). Before kick-off the goalframes were measured and found to be 5 cm too low; at José MourinhoâÂÂs insistence they were replaced with regulation-size posts.
In the 2022âÂÂ23 qualifiers, Shkëndija beat Ararat Yerevan and Valmiera to reach Q3, where they drew 2âÂÂ2 on aggregate with AIK but were eliminated on penalties in Skopje.
In 2025âÂÂ26 qualifying, Shkëndija beat The New Saints in Q1 and produced an upset against FCSB in Q2 (3âÂÂ1 agg.) to reach Q3, where they were paired with QarabaÃÂ. The result guaranteed the club their first league or group stage involvement in European competitions.