Arda Kardzhali FC Arda Kardzhali, founded in 1924 and named after the river flowing through the city, only reached the Bulgarian top flight for the first time in its history in 2019. Just two years later, in 2021, the club from southern Bulgaria hit its highest point to date, reaching the Bulgarian Cup final for the first time — though they fell 0–1 to CSKA Sofia, beaten by a goal in the 85th minute.
Their European debut that same year proved a painful lesson — Arda crashed out of Conference League qualifying, losing 0–6 on aggregate to Israel's Hapoel Be'er Sheva. The club got its revenge four years later: in the summer of 2025, following a goalless home draw, Arda fought back to a 2–2 draw in extra time away to Finnish champions HJK Helsinki, then won 4–3 on penalties, with David Idowu scoring the club's first-ever European goal.
The team plays its home matches at the modern Arena Arda, and its sporting progress over the past decade ranks among the most dynamic in Bulgarian football.
