The first national (or rather republican) Ukrainian football championship took place in 1921, just before the official establishment of the Soviet Union.

During that time main cities of Ukraine were conducting own annual competitions among which were Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, at the same time in the east Ukraine existed a separate regional competition of Donets basin (Donbas).

Winners of those regional competitions qualified for the football championship of cities, hence the name of the tournament.

After Polish occupation Ukrainian clubs of West Ukraine that at first were conducting own competitions eventually joined the Polish Football Association among which are Ukraina Lwow, USC Skala Stryi and several others.

Finally after securing its independence in 1992, Ukraine conducts own national league competitions which are recognized worldwide.