FC Chornomorets Odesa

Naming history

Officially in the Soviet Union Ukrainian teams carried both names in Russian and Ukrainian.

• 1926: Club formed FC Dynamo Odesa (out of Spartak Odesa)
• 1936: Dynamo was admitted to the All-Union competitions
• 1936: KinAp Odesa entered league competitions at republican level (Ukraine)
• 1938: Pischevik / Kharchovyk Odesa entered league competitions at republican level (Ukraine)
• 1940: Dynamo football team dissolved, its players joined Kharchovyk which admitted to the All-Union competitions
• 1941: Club renamed Spartak Odesa
• 1942: World War II (club was dissolved)
• 1944: Club revived as Dynamo Odesa which qualified for final stage of the Cup of the Ukrainian SSR
• 1945: Club reformed as Kharchovyk Odesa admitted to the All-Union competitions
• 1950: Kharchovyk relegated and dissolved
• 1951: Metalurh Odesa (team of Kim Fomin) promoted to the All-Union competitions
• 1955: Club split reviving Kharchovyk Odesa in the All-Union competitions (in place of Metalurh, while Metalurh continued to play at republican level)
• 1958: Club renamed Chornomorets Odesa as part of the Odesa Rope Factory

Black Sea (pre-history)

At the beginning of the 20th century, in Odesa, within limits of Alexander Park (today Shevchenko Park), a construction started of what was supposed to become a pond. However, after the pit for the pond was dug out, the funding stopped and so did the construction. Soon the hole began to serve as a field for one of city's non-league teams. As the hole resembled a shape of the Black Sea, that was the nickname given to the field, and the team was named "Чорне море" Chorne more. And although that team is unrelated to the today's club, it was the first team in Odesa to play under that name.

Dynamo and previous names

The official date of foundation of Chornomorets Odesa is considered to be 26 March 1936 as Dynamo Odesa. Dynamo Odesa, however, participated before that in the city championship since 1923 (the year of establishment of the Ukrainian football competitions) winning it in 1933. Dynamo Odesa itself was first called Spartak Odesa until 1926. In 1940, after relegating from the Top level, the club was merged with Kharchovyk Odesa that participated in the republican competitions (Championship of Ukrainian SSR) and replaced Dynamo in next competitions. In 1941, the club was reformed again when it was included into the War Championship (Top division) under the name of Spartak Odesa.

Concurrently in league competitions of the Ukrainian SSR, since 1936 in Odesa played another team Kharchovyk Odesa.

Until Chornomorets Odesa was bought out by Leonid Klimov sometime in 2001, the club's foundation was considered to be 1958.

Post WWII and Kharchovyk / Pischevik

After World War II the club was reestablished as Kharchovyk Odesa in the lower Soviet division (Class B). In 1950, the club lost its place in the play-offs to Spartak Uzhhorod (Zakarpattia Uzhhorod) and was dissolved. In 1953, upon the enlargement of the "Class B" competitions (Second division), the city of Odesa was represented by Metalurh (in Class B 1953, 1954) which soon was replaced again with already more familiar Kharchovyk Odesa. In 1957–58, there was established Avanhard sports society which adopted number of other smaller societies in Ukraine under its umbrella. In 1958, the Odesa city team adopted the name Chornomorets and represented the city's Rope Factory.

Chornomorets (Black Sea Shipping Company)

In 1959, Chornomorets was handed over to the Black Sea Shipping Company which was a member of Vodnik sports society. Since then its emblem corresponded with the main emblem of Vodnik society. In 1960, Chornomorets was only in 4th place in its zone. That same year, the Odessa "national" team defeated Inter Milan 5:1 in a friendly match in Odesa.

In 1974, the club became the bronze medalist of the USSR championship. Chornomorets started well in the championship and was able to develop this success, for some time it was even in second place in the standings. The successful game of the "sailors" was based on the active actions of the midfield and defense, the loss of Anatoliy Shepel was felt in the attack, an equivalent replacement for whom was never found. Thus, defender Viktor Zubkov scored six goals in the championship, and midfielder Vladimir Makarov - thirteen, which allowed him to become the team's top scorer.

In the last season of the Soviet Top League, Chornomorets earned fourth place, the only time it ever placed above the big clubs in Ukraine, Dynamo Kyiv, Shakhtar Donetsk and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

Recent history

The club was a founding member of the Ukrainian Premier League, winning the Ukrainian Cup and finishing 5th in the inaugural 1992 season. Chornomorets finished 3rd the next two seasons and 2nd during the following two seasons. They also won another domestic Cup in 1994. The club's most successful spell was achieved under the guidance of Viktor Prokopenko, and later under Leonid Buryak. At the end of the 1997–98 season, following big financial troubles and the sale of a number of leading players, the club was relegated to the First League.

They won promotion the following 1998–99 season, but finished in the second last place next year and were relegated again. Sometimes in 2001, the Klimov's Primorie company which owned SC Odesa along with Imexbank acquired the city's main team. In 2002 SC Odesa was merged with Chornomorets. Chornomorets came back up again for the 2002–03 season and enjoyed several decent seasons in the Premier League. They finished third in the 2005–06 season and took part in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup tournament.

Chornomorets were deducted 6 points by FIFA on 6 November 2008. It was confirmed by Ukrainian Premier League on 2 March 2009. The club managed to finish the 2008–09 season in 10th place despite the deduction. The 2009–10 season started badly with a 5–0 loss to Dynamo Kyiv and a poor run of form that saw the team finish the first half of the season in 13th place, just two spots away from the relegation zone. The club was relegated to the First League at the end of the season. It took, however, just a year for Chornomorets to return to the Ukrainian top flight for the 2011–12 season.

Following a loss in relegation playoffs on 27 May 2018 Chornomorets fans attacked the head coach of the club.

The main stadium of the club is traditionally considered Chornomorets Stadium, which until 2012 was called the Central Stadium of the Black Sea Shipping Company. Until the late 1990s, both the stadium and the teams of masters were part of the Black Sea Shipping Company. The stadium is located in the Shevchenko Park.

Among other stadiums Chornomorets also used Stadion "Dnister" imeni V.Dukova (2004–2005, reserves) in Ovidiopol at the Dnister Liman, Spartak Stadium (2005–2006, reserves) in Odesa, Chornomorets Training Base in Lymanka (2006–2007, reserves).

In 2006, FC Chornomorets opened its training grounds in one of the Odesa city microdistricts, Lustdorf (Liustdorf).

Academy

In 1979, the Soviet team of masters established its football academy, which for that purpose was served by the local specialized sports school of Olympic reserve. In 2005, it was named after its founder and former footballer, Anatoly Zubrytsky.

Crest

The club's emblem dates back to the Union of Labor Black Sea Cities, whose official colors were blue, black, and white.

According to heraldic canons, the elements of the crest mean:

• Blue color – symbolizes generosity, honesty, loyalty and impeccability or simply the sky.
• Black and white colors – mean two elements: earth and air.
• Seagull – means pride.

• 
  Used on the team's shirts
  1958–1991
• 
  Used in the
  mass media
  1958–1991
• 
  Using since 2004
• 
  Created for the club's 80th anniversary
• 
  Created for the club's 90th anniversary

Colours

Period	Kit manufacturer	First kit	Second kit	Third kit	Goalkeeper (Kit 1)	Goalkeeper (Kit 2)	Goalkeeper (Kit 3)
2015–2016	Legea			-
2016–2017
2017–2018				-
2018–2019
2019–2020
2020–2021
2021–2022	Kelme			-
2022–2023
2023–2024
2024–2025				-
2025–2026
2026–2027

Kit sponsors and suppliers

Chornomorets' kit was produced by local manufacturers until 1970, when Adidas became the first kit supplier.

As of 24 August 2026

• 25 participations in Soviet Top League
• 48 participations in Soviet Cup
• 9 participations in Football Cup of the Ukrainian SSR
• 29 participations in Ukrainian Premier League
• 7 participations in Ukrainian First League
• 36 participations in Ukrainian Cup
• 1 participation in Ukrainian Super Cup
• 2 participations in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
• 8 participations in UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League
• 1 participation in UEFA Intertoto Cup

Domestic League history

The scheme below shows performance of a team which carried names Kharchovyk (Pischevik) and Chornomorets (Chernomorets) only.

Soviet Union

Ukraine

* UPL – Ukrainian Premier League

Domestic achievements

• Ukrainian Premier League
  • Runners-up (2): 1994–95, 1995–96
  • Third place (3): 1992–93, 1993–94, 2005–06
• Ukrainian First League
  • Runners-up (5): 1998–99, 2001–02, 2010–11, 2020–21, 2025–26
• Ukrainian Cup
  • Winners (2): 1992, 1993–94
  • Runners-up (1): 2012–13
• Ukrainian Super Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2013
• Soviet Top League
  • Third place (1): 1974
• Soviet First League
  • Winners (3): 1961, 1973, 1987
  • Runners-up (1): 1962
• Soviet Top League Cup
  • Winners (1): 1990
• Ukrainian SSR Championship
  • Winners (2): 1941, 1961
  • Runners-up (3): 1936 (spring), 1937 (spring), 1962
• Ukrainian SSR Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1947

International achievements

• UEFA Intertoto Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2007

On September 1, 2012, the Alley of Glory (Ukrainian: Алея Слави), as a commemorative site of the FC Chornomorets Odesa former footballers, was solemnly opened near the central arch of the Chornomorets Stadium in Odesa. The site is located within Shevchenko Park, next to the western entrance to the stadium. On the day of the opening, eleven nameplates in Russian language with memorable "stars" were laid in honor of those who made a great contribution to the success of the Sailors' team — Viktor Prokopenko, Tymerlan Huseynov, Volodymyr Ploskina, Akhmed Aleskerov, Igor Belanov, Vasyl Moskalenko, Konstantin Furs, Anatoly Zubrytsky, Yuriy Zabolotny, Semen Altman, Leonid Sevasteyev. Another plate is dedicated to the "12th player" — loyal fans of "Chornomorets" Odesa of all time.

The decision to include someone in the Alley is made by the public council of JSC 'FC Chornomorets' by voting on the proposal of the club administration. The decision is preceded by studying the opinions of fans, journalists, the city's sports community, and public organizations. In 2012, residents of Odessa were invited to participate in discussions about the candidates for receiving a personalized star and a commemorative certificate. For this purpose, a vote was organized on the official website of FC "Chornomorets". The addition of signs to the Alley is usually carried out on dates timed to coincide with City Day (September 2). Individuals eligible for placement on the Alley include players, coaches, and staff who have made a significant contribution to the development and establishment of FC Chornomorets through their work, as well as those awarded state and sports honors or honorary sports titles.

Exactly one year later, on September 1, 2013, two nameplates were added in honor of Viktor Hryshko and Igor Sokolovsky. On February 19, 2014, two more plates were added to the Alley of Glory in honor of Valeriy Porkujan and Roman Hryhorchuk. On September 13, 2014, four new nameplates appeared on the walk in honor of Ilya Tsymbalar, Vyacheslav Leshchuk, Matvey Cherkassky and Vasyl Ishchak.

On September 13, 2015, the Alley of Glory was replenished with two new nameplates in honor of Leonid Buryak and Volodymyr Nechayev. On September 11, 2016, two new nameplates appeared on the walk in honor of Volodymyr Sokolov and Vitaly Serafimov. In September 2017, two nameplates in honor of Viktor Zubkov and Oleksandr Ruga replenished the walk. A year later (2018), a nameplate in honor of Volodymyr Fink appeared on the walk. On September 17, 2023, the alley of fame was replenished with two new nameplates in honor of Oleksandr Degtyarev and Oleksandr Polishchuk. On 14 September 2024, before the match of the 6th round of the 2024–25 Ukrainian Premier League between FC Chornomorets and FC Inhulets on the Alley of Glory was held a solemn ceremony of opening a new nameplate in honor of Anatoliy Doroshenko. On September 13, 2025, a new nameplate appeared on the walk in honor of Edward Luchin. On September 2, 2026, a new nameplate appeared on the walk in honor of Grigory Bibergal.

• 
  Starting point of the Alley of Glory

Current squad

As of 12 September 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Notable players

Note: Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries (national or/and olympic team) while playing for Chornomorets Odesa.

Captaincy history

Below is a list of all the official club captains FC Chornomorets Odesa has had since its foundation.

As of 18 August 2026

First team

• 
  Akhmed Aleskerov led club to its highest result in the USSR championships (top league) – 3rd place and bronze in the 1974 USSR championship.
• 
  Viktor Prokopenko won with Sailors the USSR Football Federation Cup (1990), the Ukrainian Cup twice (1992, 1993/94), and bronze in the Ukrainian Premier League twice – 1992/93 and 1993/94.
• 
  Leonid Buryak twice led Chornomorets to silver in the Ukrainian Premier League, in 1994/95 and 1995/96.
• 
  Under the leadership of Roman Hryhorchuk, club reached the playoffs of the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League for the first time in its history.

• 1989–1992 Yuriy Zabolotny
• 1992–1995 Vyacheslav Leshchuk
• 1996–1997 Hryhoriy Biberhal
• 1998–1998 Petro Naida
• 1998–2002 Leonid Klimov (honorary president ever since)
• 2002–05/2009 Oleh Marus
• 2022–present Oleksandr Hranovskyi