The 2008–09 Nemzeti Bajnokság I, also known as NB I, was the 107th season of top-tier football in Hungary. The league was officially named Soproni Liga for sponsoring reasons. The season started on 25 July 2008 with Kaposvári Rákóczi FC beating the defending champions MTK Budapest by 3–1. The last games were played on 30 May 2009.
Promotion and relegation
FC Sopron withdrew their participation in the winter break of last year's season after they declared bankruptcy. The team was put into last place and got all points deducted. The remaining relegation spot was earned by FC Tatabánya, who finished the season with a mere 10 points.
Promotion to the league was granted to the champions of the two NB II divisions. Kecskeméti TE won the Eastern Division while the winners of the Western Division were Szombathelyi Haladás.
Debreceni VSC won their fourth leaguetitle, and their first under András Herczeg. Until Matchday 25, Újpest, who were vying for their first title in over a decade, and Debrecen were joint on points. Újpest went on to lose 4 of their remaining 6 fixtures, while Debrecen ended up winning all but one of their last six matches.
DVSC officially became champions on the 22nd of May, after beating Diósgyőr 3-2 in Miskolc Matchday 29. Újpest on the other hand blew a 3-1 lead at ETO-Park, and conceded an 89' minute goal to have their title hopes blown up, as they lost the game 4-3. One week later, the purple and whites lost their first home game in over a year, after suffering a 1-2 defeat against Fehérvár.
