The KA Club Classification Systems
Kickalgor currently applies two parallel club classification systems.
The first is the standard KA classification system, which forms part of the original KA model. Under this framework, clubs are assigned to specific Ranges, Tiers, Levels, and Classes using transparent algorithms based on medians, arithmetic means, and preliminary qualification rules.
For clubs, the standard KA structure is as follows:
- High Tier
Classes: Supreme and Premium - Master Tier
Classes: Grand, Principal, and Standard - Pro Athletic Tier
Classes: Upper, Advanced, and Qualified - Regular Athletic Tier
Classes: the Bench, the Scarf, and the Pitch
The second is the FCS KAUV* Classification System, which adds an additional interpretative layer in the form of Performance Bands.
Its four-band structure is as follows:
- 1 – Strong
- 2 – Solid
- 3 – Capable
- 4 – Rising
What is the difference between the KA System and the FCS KAUV Classification System?
The KA System is the core rating model developed by Kickalgor. It assigns each club a continuous coefficient intended to reflect overall football strength within a broad comparative framework. In simple terms, the KA coefficient answers the question: how strong is this club on a global scale?
The FCS KAUV Classification System does not replace the KA coefficient. Instead, it provides a second layer of interpretation by grouping clubs into four data-driven Performance Bands derived from the distribution of KA coefficients. While the KA System measures club strength with numerical precision, FCS KAUV translates those values into broader comparative categories that are easier to read and compare.
The difference between the two systems is therefore both methodological and interpretative. The standard KA classification framework is based on the original Kickalgor architecture and fixed mathematical procedures, whereas FCS KAUV applies a clustering method to identify natural groupings within the rating distribution. In this sense, the KA System remains the primary measurement framework, while FCS KAUV functions as an additional classification layer built on top of it.
For the reader, the practical benefit is straightforward: the KA coefficient shows the exact rating level of a club, whereas FCS KAUV shows the club’s broader place within the global performance structure. This makes the ranking easier to interpret without reducing the analytical depth of the original KA model.
How to find a club’s Performance Band
To identify a club’s Performance Band, go to the current Global Club Ranking ➜ page, which lists the top 1,000 clubs in the world.
You can then locate the club directly by using the Club drop-down list. You may also narrow the search by selecting one or more of the following filters:
- continental federation or confederation,
- zone/region (grouping of countries based on geographical criteria, taking into account the internal structures of AFC, CAF, and CONCACAF),
- country cluster (grouping of countries based on alternative criteria, particularly ethnic or political ones),
- league country (“league”),
- club country (“country”).
You may also use the search function, either across the full table or after applying one or more filters.
The club’s Performance Band appears in the last column of the table and is expressed on a scale from 1 to 4.
If a club does not appear in the table, this means that it is ranked below 1000th place globally. In that case, its Performance Band is 4 – Rising.
*FCS KAUV – Football Classification System KA University Verona
