The 2008–09 Ukrainian First League is the eighteenth since its establishment. The Professional Football League (PFL) decreased the number of teams in the league. This season, there are 18 teams instead of 20 teams competing. Two of the teams were relegated from the 2007–08 Ukrainian Premier League and two were promoted from the 2007–08 Ukrainian Second League. To decrease the number of teams in the competition 4 teams were relegated from the 2007–08 Ukrainian First League season.