Chinese Super League – Wikipedia
Football Leagues in China
Domestic Leagues
China’s top-tier professional football competition is the Chinese Super League (CSL), which was established in 2004 to replace the former Chinese Jia-A League. The CSL is controlled by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and currently features 16 teams competing in a home-and-away format. Two teams are relegated to the China League One at the end of each season, while two are promoted from the second division.
Beneath the CSL, the China League One and China League Two make up the next tiers of the Chinese football pyramid. These leagues also operate under the auspices of the CFA, with promotion and relegation between the divisions. In recent years, there have been discussions around the potential separation of the top professional leagues from the CFA’s direct control, forming a private entity known as the Chinese Professional Football League.
International Competitions
As the top league in China, the CSL provides qualification for the AFC Champions League – Asia’s premier club competition. The top three finishers in the CSL, along with the winner of the Chinese FA Cup, earn a spot in the following season’s AFC Champions League. This has allowed Chinese clubs to make an impact on the continental stage, with Guangzhou Evergrande winning the title in 2013 and 2015.
League Structure
The CSL season typically runs from February/March to November/December, in contrast to the calendar-year formats of many European leagues. Each club plays every other team twice – once at home and once away – resulting in a 30-match season for the 16 teams. The club that accumulates the most points over the course of the season is crowned the Chinese Super League champion.
Tiebreakers for league positions are, in order: (1) head-to-head record, (2) goal difference, (3) goals scored, and (4) fair play record. The two lowest-placed teams at the end of the season are relegated to China League One, while the top two finishers from the second division earn promotion to the CSL.
Football Clubs in China
Prominent Chinese Clubs
Some of the most successful and well-known clubs in Chinese football include:
Guangzhou Evergrande – The most dominant team in CSL history, having won the league a record 8 times. They have also achieved continental success, winning the AFC Champions League in 2013 and 2015.
Shandong Taishan – A perennial contender, Shandong have won the CSL 4 times, including 3 titles in a 4-year span from 2006 to 2010.
Shanghai Port – Formerly known as Shanghai SIPG, this club has emerged as a powerhouse in recent years, winning the CSL in 2018 and 2024.
Beijing Guoan – One of the oldest and most established clubs in China, Beijing Guoan have won the league title once, in 2009.
Successful Clubs
Beyond the most prominent names, the CSL has seen other clubs enjoy sustained success over the years. Dalian Shide were an 8-time champion of the previous Jia-A League, though the club sadly dissolved in 2013 due to financial troubles. Changchun Yatai, Jiangsu, and Wuhan Three Towns have each won a single CSL title.
The league has also witnessed the rise and fall of several clubs, with Shenzhen and Dalian Pro recently dissolving after spells in the top flight. The constant evolution of the Chinese football landscape reflects the dynamism and competitiveness of the CSL.
Chinese Football History
Early Development
While football has ancient roots in China, organized league play only began in 1951 with the establishment of the Chinese National Football Conference. The league underwent rapid development in the following decades, evolving into the semi-professional Chinese Jia-A League in the 1980s.
Professionalization
The Jia-A League transitioned to a fully professional format in 1994, marking a significant milestone in Chinese football’s history. However, the league struggled with issues like match-fixing and financial instability in the late 1990s, prompting the CFA to undertake a major reform effort.
This led to the creation of the Chinese Super League in 2004, which was intended to introduce more commercial and professional practices to the top level of Chinese football. The CSL has since worked to improve the standards of club management, youth development, and refereeing, while also attracting high-profile foreign players and coaches.
Chinese Football Players
Domestic Talent
The CSL has placed a strong emphasis on developing Chinese talent, with clubs required to field a minimum number of domestic players in each match. This has helped produce a steady stream of promising young prospects, including several who have gone on to represent the Chinese national team.
Notable Chinese players to have emerged from the CSL include Zhang Linpeng, Wu Lei, and Elkeson. The league also features a “U-23 Player of the Year” award to recognize the best young domestic talent.
Youth Development
Recognizing the importance of nurturing future stars, the CFA has mandated that all CSL clubs operate extensive youth development programs. Clubs must field teams at the U19, U17, U15, U14, and U13 levels, with a minimum of 15% of budgets dedicated to these youth initiatives.
The Youth Super League system was established to provide a structured pathway for young players, featuring promotion and relegation between the various age-group divisions. This has helped improve the overall quality of youth football in China and supplied the CSL with an increasing number of homegrown players.
Chinese Football Governance
Governing Bodies
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) is the governing body responsible for football in China, overseeing both the professional and grassroots levels of the sport. The CFA is tasked with setting the rules, regulations, and policies for the CSL and other domestic competitions.
There have been discussions around potentially establishing a more autonomous “Chinese Professional Football League” that would manage the top tiers of the game, but the CFA would still retain a regulatory role and the ability to influence key decisions.
Professional League Management
The day-to-day operations of the CSL are handled by a dedicated league committee, which works closely with the CFA. This committee is responsible for tasks such as fixture scheduling, disciplinary matters, and commercial partnerships.
In recent years, the CSL has introduced various reforms to improve the professionalism of the league, including the implementation of a club licensing system, the hiring of foreign referees, and the separation of the reserve league. These measures aim to elevate the overall standards and competitiveness of Chinese football.
Chinese Football Supporters
Fan Culture
The Chinese Super League has developed a vibrant fan culture, with passionate supporters flocking to stadiums across the country. Many clubs have established dedicated ultras groups that lead the chanting, choreography, and tifo displays during matches.
The high-octane atmosphere in CSL stadiums, particularly for high-profile derbies, has become a hallmark of the league. Fans engage in colorful displays of loyalty, often incorporating local cultural elements into their support.
Stadium Atmosphere
Average attendances in the CSL are among the highest in Asia, reflecting the widespread popularity of the league. In 2018, the CSL recorded an average attendance of 24,107 per match, ranking it 12th globally for domestic professional sports leagues.
The league’s stadiums, many of which were built or renovated for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, provide modern facilities and amenities for supporters. However, some venues have faced capacity restrictions, leading to occasional sell-outs and a bustling secondary ticket market.
Chinese Football Influence
Global Impact
The Chinese Super League has emerged as a significant player on the global football stage in recent years, both in terms of talent acquisition and international exposure.
The league has attracted a number of high-profile foreign players, including the likes of Oscar, Paulinho, and Hulk, who have commanded record-breaking transfer fees. This influx of international talent has helped to raise the profile of the CSL and showcased the financial power of Chinese clubs.
Moreover, the CSL’s television rights deals have facilitated the broadcast of matches in over 96 countries around the world, exposing the league to a wider global audience. This increased internationalization has contributed to the CSL’s growing influence and recognition within the global football landscape.
Talent Export
While the CSL has benefited from importing foreign talent, it has also served as a platform for Chinese players to showcase their skills on the international stage. Standout performers from the domestic league have gone on to earn call-ups to the Chinese national team, with the CSL providing a vital feeder system.
In recent years, there have been examples of Chinese players making successful moves from the CSL to European clubs, such as Zhang Yuning’s transfer to Werder Bremen and Wu Lei’s move to Espanyol. This gradual export of Chinese talent is a testament to the improving quality and visibility of the domestic league.
Brazilian Football Connections
Player Migration
The Chinese Super League has attracted a significant number of Brazilian players over the years, taking advantage of the nation’s deep well of football talent. Many Brazilians have found success in the CSL, with some even earning call-ups to the Chinese national team after obtaining citizenship.
Notable Brazilian imports include Elkeson, Paulinho, and Oscar, who have all made significant impacts during their time in China. The CSL’s willingness to pay high transfer fees and offer lucrative salaries has made it an attractive destination for Brazilian players seeking new challenges and opportunities.
Chinese Brazilians
In addition to the influx of Brazilian players, the Chinese Super League has also witnessed the emergence of a new generation of Chinese-Brazilian footballers. These players, born to Brazilian parents but raised in China, have been eligible to represent the Chinese national team and have been integrated into CSL clubs.
Figures like Aloisio, who played for Guangzhou Evergrande, and Alan, who featured for Tianjin Tianhai, have bridged the cultural gap between Brazil and China, showcasing the growing diversity and interconnectedness of the Chinese football landscape.
The exchanges between the CSL and Brazilian football, both in terms of player transfers and the rise of Chinese-Brazilian talent, have contributed to the globalization and cross-pollination of football talent worldwide.
