FK Budućnost Podgorica

History

The 1925–1941 period

The club was founded in June 1925, as a Workers' sports club Zora (RSK Zora). After two years, the club was renamed to RSK Budućnost. Historically, the first ever team of RSK Zora / RSK Budućnost, between 1925 and 1928, played Musaja Čelebičić, Vaso Vukadinović, Bećo Abdomerović, Vaso Čarapić, Vlado Kirsanov, Đorđe Kešeljević, Vaso Kulić, Blažo Prelević, Duljo Džaferadžović, Blažo Šutulović, Buto Krkanović, Luka Bulatović, Tahir Čelebić, Ilija Ivanović, Milo Pajović, Milovan Radulović, Vuko Vuksanović, Dušan Krcunović, Đorđije Vučeljić, Branko Rajković, Smail Bibezić, Šećir Kapadžić and Arso Marković. The first coach was Slovenian-born Karlo Vugrinec, who served in Podgorica as an electrician.

The first game in the history of FK Budućnost was a friendly match against local rival GSK Balšić, played in 1925. Budućnost won the game, with a result of 2–1.

In the late 1920s, RSK Budućnost played their first games in official competitions. Their debut in the Montenegrin football championship occurred in the 1927 season under the name Zora, when they were eliminated in the first stage of competition against GSK Balšić (0–3). Next season, Budućnost made their first win in official competitions, defeating GSK Balšić (2–1), but were eliminated in Championship semifinals against Lovćen (2–3).

In the next two years, Budućnost was eliminated in the early stages of Montenegrin Championship, and in spring 1931, for the second time in history, played in the semifinals. After elimination of GSK Balšić (4–1) and Berane (3–0), the team from Podgorica lost the semifinals against Obilić Nikšić (3–5).

In autumn 1931, Budućnost played in the finals of the Montenegrin football championship for the first time, but lost against SK Crnogorac Cetinje (1–2). In the previous stages of the competition, Budućnost eliminated GSK Balšić (6–2) and Gorštak Kolašin (3–1).

The Podgorica side played their first international game in 1932. Budućnost was hosted by KS Vllaznia in Shkoder and won 1–0.

In autumn 1932, Budućnost won their first title of Montenegrin champion. In the finals, the team from Podgorica defeated FK Lovćen (6–3). During that season, FK Budućnost played their first official game against FK Sutjeska (2–1), which was the first edition of Montenegrin Derby—the greatest rivalry in the history of Montenegrin football. In the spring of 1933, Budućnost defended their trophy. Their opponent in the final game was once again, FK Lovćen (2–0; 2–2). FK Budućnost won their third Montenegrin championship in 1934. Their opponent in the finals, was FK Lovćen (2–0, 1–1). The last time Budućnost played in a Championship final was in 1935; in that year FK Lovćen won the title (1–2).

The 1945–1975 period

After the war, the club was refounded under the name FK Budućnost. Their first game was played on 1 May 1945, against FK Lovćen at Cetinje (4–2). In January 1946, Budućnost played its first international friendly game after the war against KF Tirana (6–1) in Podgorica. Soon after that, the team from Podgorica won the first official football competition after World War II in the Montenegrin Republic League for the 1946 season, which meant they were placed in the inaugural season of the Yugoslav First League (1946–47). During the six matches, Budućnost did not have a single defeat and made one of the biggest official victories in the team's history against Arsenal (8–0).

In their first game in the First Yugoslav League, FK Budućnost played on 25 August 1946 against Dinamo Zagreb (2–2), in front of 5,000 spectators in Podgorica, which was equal with the town population of that time. On 16 March 1947, Budućnost defeated NK Nafta 9–0. Until today, it remains the biggest home victory of Budućnost in the First League.

Until 1955, FK Budućnost played three seasons in the Yugoslav First League, four in the Yugoslav Second League and three in the Montenegrin Republic League. During this entire period, their head coach was Vojin Božović, who still holds two records in the club's history, Manager with most seasons (10) and with the most official games (199). In the season 1953, FK Budućnost made the biggest victory in their official games history, against Iskra away (13–1).

From 1955 to 1960, the team from Podgorica was a permanent participant of the Yugoslav First League. Their best performance of that era occurred in the 1956–57 and 1958–59, finishing as a ninth-placed team.

The most important moment in the next decade occurred in the season of 1964–65. Budućnost was a member of the Yugoslav Second League, but they surprisingly participated in the final game of 1964–65 Yugoslav Cup. They lost a game against Dinamo Zagreb (1–2). In their first Cup final, Budućnost played with following team: Hajduković, Folić, Gardašević, Pavlović, Savković, Kovačević, Šaković, Todorović, Šorban, Ćerić, Franović (coach: Božidar Dedović). The only goal for Budućnost scored Franović in the 35th minute. In previous rounds, FK Budućnost eliminated Sutjeska (3–2), Radnički Beograd (1–0), OFK Beograd (3–2) and Vardar away (2–0) in semifinals.

The 1975-1992 period

The 1975–1985 period was known as the golden age of football in Podgorica. Budućnost was a permanent top-tier member, finishing two seasons as six-placed team.

A big comeback of FK Budućnost to the Yugoslav First League occurred in the 1975–76 season. Budućnost avoided a relegation and during the season a few attendance records were made. The third game-week between Budućnost and Hajduk Split (1–2) was attended by 20,000 spectators, which is the highest number in the history of Budućnost home games, it is also the highest attendance for a game played in the Podgorica City Stadium too. On average 1975–76 First League games in Podgorica averaged 12,765 supporters, which is also an all-time record.

In the 1976–77 season, FK Budućnost had another notable performance in the Yugoslav Cup final. Their rival was Hajduk Split and the team from Podgorica lost the final. This time, they were defeated in extra-time (0–2). In the final, Budućnost lined-up with the following team: Vujačić, Janković, Folić, J. Miročević, Vukčević, Milošević, Kovačević, Bošković, Radonjić, A. Miročević, Ljumović (coach: Marko Valok). In previous rounds, Budućnost eliminated Pobeda Prilep (3–1), Rudar Kakanj (1–0), Sarajevo (3–2) and Radnički Niš in the semifinals (1–1; Budućnost won the penalties). The two appearances in the Yugoslav Cup finals (1965, 1977) are considered as the greatest achievements of FK Budućnost in the era of SFR Yugoslavia.

At the same time, in spring 1977, Budućnost debuted in the Balkans Cup, finishing second in their group with Panathinaikos (1–2, 2–2) and Vllaznia (2–0, 1–1).

During the seasons 1978–79 and 1980–81 Budućnost were remembered with them having the best performance in the Yugoslav First League. Both times, the team from Podgorica finished in sixth place. In season 1978–79, no one from the big four of Yugoslav football (Hajduk, FK Crvena Zvezda, GNK Dinamo and FK Partizan) won a game in Podgorica.

With sixth place in 1981, FK Budućnost qualified for the Intertoto Cup. They had a successful campaign in the Intertoto Cup, finishing among nine group winners. In Group 4, Budućnost played against Odense (4–2, 1–1), Östers (3–1, 0–0) and Wacker Innsbruck (1–2, 3–1).

Period 1992–2006

After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Montenegro stayed in the federation with Serbia, in the successor state called FR Yugoslavia. So, FK Budućnost became a member of the new top-tier competition, the FR Yugoslavia First League.

Until the end of the 1990s, the First League had two groups (A and B). Budućnost played the majority of the seasons in the higher group.

FK Budućnost had its first success in the new football league in 1994–95. They finished as the champions of the B League and gained participation in international competitions. In the playoffs for UEFA competitions, Budućnost played against Vojvodina; the winner took the spot in the UEFA Cup while the losers took place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. While FK Budućnost won the first game in Podgorica (3–1), Vojvodina won 5–2 in Novi Sad, so Budućnost played in the 1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup. They finished fourth in Group 7, so they did not qualify for further stages. FK Budućnost won an away game against Tervis Pärnu (3–1), but were defeated by Bayer in Leverkusen. As Podgorica City Stadium did not meet new UEFA rules, they played home games against Nea Salamis (1–1) and OFI (3–4) in Belgrade.

At the beginning of 2000, FK Budućnost performances got weaker, as a result they were relegated after season 2000–01. Budućnost lost the battle against Rad, so they were relegated to the Second League after 26 consecutive seasons spent in the top-tier.

Another surprise came during the following two seasons, when FK Budućnost failed to gain a quick promotion to First League. Finally, promotion came during the 2003–04 Second League, when FK Budućnost with a young, homegrown team, dominated in the competition.

Budućnost made a great top-tier comeback in season 2004–05. With many significant results. Budućnost defeated Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade (2–1) for the first time after 18 years. At the end of the season, Budućnost finished sixth and gained a place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. In the first leg of 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup, they eliminated Valletta (2–2, 5–0) and in the next stage their opponent were Spanish giants Deportivo La Coruña. The first game at Estadio Riazor finished 3–0 for the home side. In the second match, FK Budućnost held a 2–0 lead in front of 10,000 supporters, however the end, Deportivo scored to make it 2–1 and went on to the next stage.

Period 2006–present

As the Montenegrin club with the best results during the period 1945–2006, Budućnost continued with even greater successes in the Montenegrin First League (Prva CFL), after Montenegrin independence (2006).

On the 2006–07 season of Prva CFL, the team from Podgorica competed with FK Zeta in the title race. The fight for the trophy lasted until the end of season, where Zeta won the title. A spring game between Budućnost and Zeta in Podgorica (1–0) was attended by 10,000 supporters, which is the biggest attendance in the history of Prva CFL.

In the 2007–08 season, Budućnost played in the UEFA Cup against HNK Hajduk. The first game was played in front of 10,000 spectators in Podgorica, which finished 1–1, and the Croatian team won the second match (1–0). In the 2007–08 season, Budućnost won their first league title in the clubs history. They finished the season with equal number of points as FK Zeta and FK Mogren, but with better head-to-head score against the other teams Budućnost finished first. In the 2007–08 season, the team from Podgorica made an impressive row of 21 games without defeat. During the same season, Budućnost almost won the double, but in the final of the 2007–08 Montenegrin Cup, they were defeated after the penalties against FK Mogren (1–1 / 5–6). As the Montenegrin champion, for the first time in history, Budućnost played in UEFA Champions League qualifiers. But, their debut was not successful, as Budućnost was eliminated by Tampere United (1–1; 1–2).

From 2008 to 2011, Budućnost finished every single season in Prva CFL as a runner-up, while they had another performance in the Cup finals on the 2009–10 season. Once again, they missed opportunity to win the trophy, and this time Budućnost was defeated by FK Rudar (1–2). During that period, Budućnost played another three seasons in the UEFA Europa League and the most successful run was their performance from the 2010–11 season, where they played in the third qualifying round, but they were defeated by Brøndby (1–2; 0–1).

Next success Budućnost made was on the 2011–12 season, when Budućnost became the winner of the Montenegrin First League. That was their second league title for Budućnost. During all season, they were in a hard struggle for title with FK Rudar. At the end, Podgorica's side won the title with three points higher than Rudar. With 80 points from 33 games, 82 scored goals and 25 victories, Budućnost made a new all-time record for the most points for a single Prva CFL season. The Podgorica side was close to the third qualifying round of 2012–13 UEFA Champions League, but they did not succeed, despite their away win against Śląsk Wrocław (0–2; 1–0).

Evolution of name

FK Budućnost has played under three different names.

List of competitive matches (1925–)

Below is an overall score of all matches of FK Budućnost in official competitions since 1925. More details at page List of FK Budućnost seasons.

Note: Including 2019–20 UEFA Europa League, 2020–21 Montenegrin First League and 2020-21 Montenegrin Cup results

Records

Biggest home victory: Budućnost – Rabotnički 10:0 (16 May 1948, Yugoslav Second League)

Biggest home defeat: Budućnost – Hajduk Split 0:5 (15 December 1946, Yugoslav First League)

Biggest away victory: Iskra Danilovgrad – Budućnost 1:13 (10 May 1953, Montenegrin Republic League)

Biggest away defeat: Partizan – Budućnost 10:0 (29 October 1950, Yugoslav First League)

Biggest First league victory: Budućnost – Nafta 9:0 (16 March 1947, Yugoslav First League)

Biggest European victory: Valletta – Budućnost 0:5 (18 June 2005)

Biggest European defeat: Budućnost – HJK Helsinki 0:4 (13 July 2021), HB – Budućnost 4:0 (22 July 2021)

Biggest home attendance: 20,000, Budućnost – Hajduk Split (27 August 1975, Yugoslav First League)

Biggest away attendance: 60,000, Dinamo Zagreb – Budućnost (2 May 1982, Yugoslav First League)

Budućnost in European competitions

FK Budućnost is the Montenegrin club with most played seasons and matches in European football competitions. Except for participation in UEFA competitions, Budućnost played twice in the Balkans Cup.

UEFA competitions

FK Budućnost debuted in European competitions in 1981, when they played in Intertoto Cup, finishing first in their group. In the following decades, Budućnost played in the same competition twice, with a notable victory against Deportivo La Coruña (2:1) in 2006.

After Montenegrin independence, Budućnost became regular participants in UEFA competitions, and played seven seasons in the Champions League qualifiers. More recently, Budućnost's most successful European season was the 2016/17 in UEFA Europa League. After eliminating the Macedonian side Rabotnički, Budućnost almost won against K.R.C. Genk (2:0 in Podgorica after 0:2 in Genk in first match), but lost on penalties.

Balkans Cup

FK Budućnost played two seasons in the Balkans Cup, a regional competition for clubs from Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey. The club made their debut in 1977 in Group B, with Panathinaikos and Vllaznia. After four legs, they finished second in their group with four points. During their second campaign in the Balkans Cup, in 1991, Budućnost reached the final losing to FC Inter Sibiu. Before the final game, Budućnost eliminated Galatasaray.

Honours

National Championships – 7

Meridianbet 1. CFL:

Winners (7): 2007–08, 2011–12, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2024–25

Runners-up (9): 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22

National Cups – 5

Montenegrin Cup:

Winners (5): 2012–13, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2023–24

Runners-up (3): 2007–08, 2009–10, 2015–16

Yugoslav Cup:

Runners-up (2): 1964–65, 1976–77

Championships (1922–1940) – 4

Montenegrin Championship (1922–1940)

Winners (4): 1932, spring 1933, autumn 1933, 1934

Runners-up (2): 1931, 1935

International – 1

Intertoto Cup

Group winners (1): 1981

Balkans Cup:

Runners-up (1): 1990–91

Supporters and rivalries

Varvari

Budućnost fans are known as Varvari (Barbarians), a group founded in 1987. The group's traditional colours are blue and white, which are also the colours of all the Budućnost sports clubs. For FK Budućnost Podgorica home games, Varvari occupy the northern stand (Sjever) of the Podgorica city stadium. They also have a reserved stand at the Morača Sports Center, as supporters of KK Budućnost.

The focal point for the group during the late 1990s was the basketball club, which started investing heavily while the football club toiled in the lower half of the table.

Since its foundation years, Varvari gained a reputation as a violent group, and in recent history they caused some of the biggest accidents that occurred at football matches. At a First League 2004–05 against Partizan Belgrade, flares, blocks, construction materials and similar objects were thrown from the North stand to the pitch and the match was abandoned for 15 minutes. The following year, the home game against Red Star Belgrade was suspended for two hours after home supporters (Varvari) sprayed tear gas on the pitch and, after that, attacked visitors' ultras. In spring 2006, there was crowd violence at the local rivals game against Zeta. In the Montenegrin First League, numerous matches of FK Budućnost were suspended due to crowd violence or crowd invasion of the pitch. During the latest seasons, there has been an escalation of violence at the Montenegrin Derby games.

They have the largest organised fan group in Montenegro. According to many fan magazines from the Balkans they are the only fans in Montenegro who are at the level of the largest ex-Yugoslavian fan groups.

Rivalries

FK Budućnost share the biggest rivalry in Montenegrin football, the Montenegrin Derby, a match against FK Sutjeska from Nikšić. The first official game was played 9 October 1932. As a match of main and strongest clubs from the two biggest Montenegrin cities, The Derby became popular from its earliest days. Some of the highest attendance in Montenegrin football were recorded at the games of the Montenegrin Derby. Since the 80s, both clubs have organised groups of supporters, which gave the Montenegrin Derby a new and often violent dimension.

Except for the Montenegrin Derby, during the 1925–1935 period, there was a big local derby in Podgorica between FK Budućnost and GSK Balšić. As Budućnost was officially a workers' club and Balšić the team of that-time regime, the Podgorica derby had a big social dimension. Together with the Cetinje teams Lovćen and Crnogorac, the rivals from Podgorica were among the top four teams in Montenegrin Football Championship (1922–1940). So, their games made huge interest in Podgorica and nearby places. The two teams played their first game against each other at 1925 and Budućnost won 2–1 (friendly game).

During the regime of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the work of RSK Budućnost was prohibited at 1937. After the Second World War, GSK Balšić was not refounded, so derby was alive only in the period from 1925 to 1936. Budućnost won four champion titles in the 1925–1935 period, while GSK Balšić won seven trophies in the seasons between 1925 and 1940. Budućnost and Balšić played 11 official games. Budućnost won 8 matches and Balšić won 3 games, with a goal difference 22–12 (Budućnost goals first).

During the 1946–2006 period, especially popular games of FK Budućnost were against the big four of Yugoslav football (Crvena zvezda, Dinamo Zagreb, Hajduk Split and Partizan). Games against Hajduk and Dinamo were played in the Yugoslav First League until the breakup of SFR Yugoslavia, and games against Crvena zvezda and Partizan were played until Montenegrin independence.

Stadium and training facility

Podgorica City Stadium

FK Budućnost plays its home games at the Stadion Pod Goricom, in Podgorica. Stadion Pod Goricom, is also the largest football stadium in Montenegro and the home ground of the Montenegro national football team. The stadium's original capacity was about 12,000 spectators, which expanded to 15,230 with the addition of the north and south stands. An eastern stand is planned to be built soon, which will bring the stadium's capacity to over 20,000.

The pitch measures 105 x 70 meters. Stadium is well known for close distance between pitch and stands. Pitch was totally renovated in 2014 and it is among the best football pitches in the Balkans today.

Floodlights were installed in 1989, and the first match during the night-time was Budućnost – Rad (First League, 28 May 1989). Twenty years later, new, 1900 lux, floodlights were installed.

FK Budućnost training center

Since 2008, FK Budućnost made their own training center in Camp FSCG, located on Ćemovsko polje, a plain on the Podgorica outskirts between the settlements Stari Aerodrom and Konik.

At their training center, an area of 18,000 sq meters, FK Budućnost owns an administrative building with offices, meeting rooms, press room and technical facilities, and two football grounds. Both pitches have stands with capacity of 1,000 seats. On these home grounds, all young teams of FK Budućnost and ŽFK Budućnost also play.

In November 2016, the senior team of FK Budućnost played an official game at the training centre for the first time. In the Montenegrin Cup match, they hosted FK Kom.

Current team

Squad

As of 15 February 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.

Out on loan

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

Coaching and players history

Records

Most performances: Slavko Vlahović – 413/1 (1977–1991)

Most performances in First League: Slavko Vlahović – 392 (1977–1991)

Top goalscorer: Mojaš Radonjić – 84 (1972–1982)

Top goalscorer in First League: Mojaš Radonjić – 52 (1975–1982)

Head coach with most seasons: Vojin Božović – 199 games (1945–1955)

Notable players

See Category:FK Budućnost Podgorica players.

During its history, many notable players started their career or played for FK Budućnost. Most notable are Podgorica-born players Dejan Savićević, Predrag Mijatović, Branko Brnović, Željko Petrović, Niša Saveljić and Dragoljub Brnović. Players with the most games for Budućnost are Ibrahim Methadžović and Slavko Vlahović. Most goals for FK Budućnost scored in the First League was by Mojaš Radonjić.

Below is the list of former Budućnost players who represented their countries at the full international level.

Sponsors

Official sponsor – (2025–) SBbet

Official kit supplier – (2025–) Macron

Women's team

The women's team of FK Budućnost (ŽFK Budućnost) was formed in 2005. Until 2016, the team was known as ŽFK Palma.

They play in the Montenegrin Women's League and it is the oldest women's football club in Montenegro. They have won three league titles in seasons 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2024–25.