The soccer club Chernomorets was formed in 1936, in connection with the beginning of the USSR Football Championships. Until 1958 the Odessa team was called "Dynamo", "Pischevik", "Spartak", "Metallurg", until it was finally named "Chernomorets".

In 1965, the Odessa team debuted in the Higher League of the USSR championship, but took only 14th place. Five years later, "Chernomorets" managed to win bronze medals. In the future the sailors kept in the middle of the standings, only twice managing to rise to fourth place (1984 and 1991).

In the first season of the Ukrainian championship "Chernomorets" won the Cup of the country, defeating Kharkiv Metalist (1:0). Two years later, the Odessians repeated the achievement, beating Tavria on penalties in the final match.

In the early 90's Chornomorets was one of the main rivals of Dynamo Kyiv. Twice the Odessians won silver medals (1995, 1996), twice - bronze medals (1993, 1994). Later Chernomorets left the top division three times and spent four seasons in the First League (1998/1999, 2000-2002, 2010/2011). However, in the 2005-06 season the Odessians, led by Semyon Altman, again won the bronze medals of the championship.