The 1973 Soviet First League was the third season of the Soviet First League and the 33rd season of the Soviet second tier league competition.
| Rank
|
Union republic
|
Number of teams
|
Club(s)
|
| 1
|
File:Flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.svg RSFSR
|
9
|
Lokomotiv Moscow, Metallurg Lipetsk, Shinnik Yaroslavl, Krylia Sovetov Kuibyshev, Zvezda Perm, Tekstilschik Ivanovo, Kuzbass Kemerevo, Elbrus Nalchik, Spartak Ordzhonikidze
|
| 2
|
File:Flag of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (1949–1991).svg Ukrainian SSR
|
4
|
Chernomorets Odessa, Metallurg Zaporozhye, Prykarpatye Ivano-Frankovsk, Metallist Kharkov
|
| 3
|
File:Flag of Moldavian SSR.svg Moldavian SSR
|
1
|
Nistru Kishinev
|
| File:Flag of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (1956–1991).svg Azerbaijan SSR
|
Neftchi Baku
|
| File:Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Georgian SSR
|
Torpedo Kutaisi
|
| File:Flag of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Turkmen SSR
|
Stroitel Ashkhabat
|
| File:Flag of Tajik SSR.svg Tajik SSR
|
Pamir Dushanbe
|
| File:Flag of the Kazakh SSR.svg Kazakh SSR
|
Shakhter Karaganda
|
| File:Flag of Kyrgyz SSR.svg Kyrgyz SSR
|
Alga Frunze
|
|
|---|
|
| Domestic leagues | |
|---|
| Domestic cups | |
|---|
| European competitions |
- European Cup
- Cup Winners' Cup
- UEFA Cup
|
|---|