Chinese football league system
The Chinese football league system or league pyramid, refers to the hierarchically interconnected league system for the Chinese Football Association (CFA) that currently consists of over 300 individual leagues having more than 2000 teams, in a series of partially interconnected leagues that are bound together by the principle of promotion and relegation.[1]
In the "Chinese Football League System" drawn up preliminarily by the CFA, it is stated that there will be eight stages of leagues: CFA Super League, China League One, China League Two, CFA Member Association Champions League, CMCL Regional Competition, Leagues of member regional associations of CFA, City leagues, County leagues. The top three professional levels contain one division each and have promotion and relegation between the leagues allowing smaller clubs the hypothetical possibility of ultimately rising to the very top of the system.[2] The hierarchical system continues and levels have progressively more parallel divisions, which each cover progressively smaller geographic areas.[3]
One Macau football club plays in the system - MFA Development, which is also a member of Macau football league system, randomly plays in CFA Member Association Champions League Regional Competition, but is not allowed to promote to higher than tier 5.
Structure
The highest level of football in China is the Chinese Super League which was founded in 2004. In 2016, The Chinese Super League was declared by the seventh annual Global Sports Salaries Survey as the world's 12th highest-paying sports league in which 47 players — constituting the top 10% — claim more than 81% of the total pot of earnings.[4] The China League One and China League Two are currently the second and third division. The two worst teams from the Chinese Super League are replaced by the two best teams from the China League One at the end of each season.[2] From Season 2004, The China League Two is conducted in two groups of teams with the season culminating in a play-off. From Season 2019, the club in last position of each group would relegate to CMCL.
CFA Member Association Champions League is an amateur football league that includes uncertain Groups. The teams of this league come from 41 of 44 member regional associations of CFA, which are belong to tier 5 of league system. Tier 5 competitions also have lower leagues to feed.
The leagues below level 3 are classed as "non-league", meaning they are outside of the professional leagues. Most non-league football clubs in China are basically amateur and hard to build a fanbase.
National Levels
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 1 | CFA Super League 16 clubs ↓ 2 relegation playoff spots |
| 2 | China League One 18 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots + 2 promotion playoff spots, ↓ 2 relegation playoff spots |
| 3 | China League Two 24 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots + 2 promotion playoff spots, ↓ 2 relegation spots + 2 relegation playoff spots |
| 4 | CFA Member Association Champions League (CMCL)
16 clubs ↑ 4 promotion spots + 2 promotion playoff spots, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 6 or below if don't promote |
CFA Member Association Champions League Regional Competition
| Level | League | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | ↑ 16 promotion spots, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 6 or below if don't promote | |
Anhui FA
| Level | League | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | CMCL Anhui Region
7 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | |||||||
| 7 | Bengbu League One
11 clubs |
CMCL Bozhou Region
13 clubs |
Fuyang League One
11 clubs |
Hefei League One
8 clubs |
CMCL Huainan Region
13 clubs |
Ma'anshan League
19 clubs |
Wuhu League (Spring / Autumn)
11 clubs |
Other competitions hosted by same-level FA |
| 8 | Bengbu League Two | Fuyang League Two | Hefei League Two | |||||
| 9 | ||||||||
Beijing FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | CMCL Beijing Region
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Changchun FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Changchun Amateur League
16 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Chengdu FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Chengdu City League Super Division
12 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot | |||||||||||||
| 7 | Chengdu City League Division One
? clubs ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 8 or below if don't promote | |||||||||||||
| 8 | CCL D1 Urban Region
16 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spot |
CCL D1 Pixian Region
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
CCL D1 Xinjin Region
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
CCL D1 Shuangliu Region
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
CCL D1 Jintang Region
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
CCL D1 Dujiangyan Region
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Xindu League
8 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Pengzhou Super League
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
CCL D1 Pujiang Region
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Chongzhou League
12 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
CCL D1 Wenjiang Region
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
CCL D1 Tianfu Region
12 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
CCL D1 Qionglai Region
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
CCL D1 Jianyang Region
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Chongqing FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Chongqing Amateur Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot | ||||||||||
| 7 | Chongqing Amateur League One
12 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot | ||||||||||
| 8 | Peiling Super League
(8-a-side) 14 clubs |
Jiangbei League
(8-a-side) 12 clubs |
Beibei Social League
16 clubs |
Hechuang Super League
17 clubs |
Bishan Amateur League
11 clubs |
Rongchang Amateur League
12 clubs |
Kaizhou League
11 clubs |
Liangping Amateur League
8 clubs |
Fengjie Amateur League
20 clubs |
Xiushan Weekends League
17 clubs |
Pengshui Super League
13 clubs |
Dalian FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 |
|
| 7 |
Fujian FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Fujian FA Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 relegation playoff spot | |||
| 7 | Fujian FA League One
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spots + 1 promotion playoff spot | |||
| 8 | Fuzhou Rongchao Amateur League Super Division
? clubs ↓ ? relegation spot |
Nanping FA Amateur League
9 clubs |
Longyan FA League One
9 clubs |
Quanzhou League One
4 clubs ↓ ? relegation spot |
| 9 | Fuzhou Rongchao Amateur League Championship Division
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Xinluo League
9 clubs |
Quanzhou League Two
35 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot | |
| 10 | Fuzhou Rongchao Amateur League Division One
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Shishi League
? clubs | ||
| 11 | Yongtai League
5 clubs |
|||
Gansu FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Gansu Championship League
↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote |
| 7 |
Guangdong FA
Winter season format. Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season (eg. 2019-20 season champion promotes to CMCL for 2021 season).
| Level | League | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Guangdong Super League
16 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Shaoguan League One
? clubs ↓ 2 relegation spots + 2 relegation playoff spots |
Zhuhai League
12 clubs |
Shantou FA Championship League
? clubs ↓ ? relegation spot |
Foshan League
? clubs |
Jiangmen XI League
6 clubs |
Maoming FA Super League
12 clubs |
Zhaoqing League
10 clubs |
Huizhou League
? clubs |
Meizhou League One
8 clubs ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 relegation playoff spot |
Yangjiang Elite Competition
12 clubs |
Dongguan League One
8 clubs ↓ ? relegation spot |
Zhongshan Super League
8 clubs ↓ 1 relegation spot |
Chaozhou League
16 clubs | ||||||||||||
| 8 | Shaoguan League Two
? clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots + 2 promotion playoff spots |
Shantou FA League One
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Shunde League
? clubs |
Sanshui League
12 clubs |
Gaozhou FA Super League
10 clubs |
Huazhou Super League
10 clubs |
Gaoyao Super League
12 clubs |
Guangning League
8 clubs |
Deqing FA League One
? clubs |
Sihui League
12 clubs |
Huiyang Amateur League One
7 clubs ↓ 2 relegation spots |
Boluo League
? clubs |
Meizhou League Two
5 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot + 1 promotion playoff spot |
Dongguan League Two
12 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Zhongshan League One
10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ 2 relegation spots |
||||||||||
| 9 | Shaoguan League Three
? clubs |
Daliang Youth League
(7-a-side) 8 clubs |
Yundonghai League
(8-a-side) 18 clubs |
Datang League
10 clubs |
Huiyang Amateur League Two
8 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Dapu Towns League
(7-a-side) 15 clubs |
Wuhua Towns League
16 clubs |
Pingyuan League
12 clubs |
Jiaoling Grassroots League
7 clubs |
XIngning Towns League
? clubs |
Zhongshan League Two
27 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
||||||||||||||
| 10 | Lechang League
? clubs |
Ruyuan Super League
(7-a-side) ? clubs |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Guangxi FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Guangxi Super League
10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | ||||||
| 7 | Nanning Super League
12 clubs |
Liuzhou Super League
11 clubs ↓ ? relegation spot |
Wuzhou League
8 clubs |
Beihai City League
18 clubs |
Hezhou XI Super League
14 clubs |
Qinzhou League One
(7-a-side) 8 clubs ↓ 3 relegation spots |
Fangchenggang XI League
8 clubs |
| 8 | Binyang League
16 clubs |
Liuzhou League One
12 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Yinhai Towns League
12 clubs |
Babu League
(8-a-side) ? clubs |
Qinzhou League Two
(7-a-side) 8 clubs ↑ 3 promotion spots |
Dongxing League One
8 clubs ↓ ? relegation spot | |
| 9 | Liuzhou League Two
8 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Dongxing League Two
12 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot | |||||
| 10 | Rongshui Super League
15 clubs |
Dongxing League Three
12 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot | |||||
| 11 | |||||||
Guangzhou FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Guangzhou XI League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Guizhou FA
no league
↑ 1 promotion spot
Hainan FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Hainan Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | |||
| 7 | Haikou Super League
12 clubs ↓ 2 relegation spots |
Sanya Youth Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ 2 relegation spots |
Qionghai League One
? clubs ↓ ? relegation spot |
Dongfang League
9 clubs |
| 8 | Haikou League One
20 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Sanya Youth League One
16 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↓ 2 relegation spots |
Qionghai League Two
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
|
| 9 | Sanya Youth League Two
12 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
|||
Hebei FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Hebei League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote |
| 7 |
Heilongjiang FA
| Level | League | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | CMCL Heilongjiang Region
4 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | |||
| 7 | CMCL Jiamusi Region
4 clubs |
CMCL Suihua Region
3 clubs |
CMCL Qiqihar Region
4 clubs |
CMCL Hailin Region
3 clubs |
| 8 | ||||
Henan FA
| Level | League | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Henan Championship League Division A
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot | ||||||||||
| 7 | Henan Championship League Division B
12 clubs | ||||||||||
| 8 | Anyang League One
10 clubs |
CMCL Hebi Region
8 clubs |
CMCL Jiyuan Region
10 clubs |
CMCL Luohe Region
9 clubs |
Luoyang League
8 clubs |
CMCL Puyang Region
8 clubs |
CMCL Sanmenxia Region
8 clubs |
CMCL Shangqiu Region
10 clubs |
Xinyang Super League
15 clubs |
Xuchang XI League
7 clubs |
Other competitions hosted by same-level FA |
| 9 | Anyang League Two
10 clubs |
||||||||||
| 10 | |||||||||||
Hubei FA
Winter season format. Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the same season (eg. 2020-21 season champion promotes to CMCL for 2021 season).
| Level | League | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Hubei Public League
6 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Hubei Provincial Organs Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot to Tier 5, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Hubei Public Regional League | |||||||||||||||
| East Region
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 8 or below if don't promote |
West Region
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 8 or below if don't promote |
South Region
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 8 or below if don't promote |
North Region
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 8 or below if don't promote | ||||||||||||||
| 8 | Hubei Provincial Organs League One
20 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Ezhou League
8 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Huangshi Public League
(8-a-side) 17 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Huanggang Public League
10 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Xianning Region
unknown league ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Hubei Public League Enshi Region
11 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Jingzhou Competition Super Division
6 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Hubei Public League Yichang Region
8 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Shennongjia Region
unknown league ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Xiantao League
(8-a-side) 9 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Hubei Public League Xiaogan Region
8 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Tianmen Region
unknown league ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Qianjiang Region
unknown league ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Jingmen FA Cup
10 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Suizhou Amateur League
8 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Shiyan City League One
? clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Xiangyang XI League
14 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
| 9 | Jingzhou Competition Division One
10 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Shiyan City League Two
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
|||||||||||||||
| 10 | |||||||||||||||||
Hunan FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 |
↑ 1 promotion spot |
| 7 |
Inner Mongolia FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Inner Mongolia Super League
19 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | ||||
| 7 | Alxa Amateur League
7 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Baotou Amateur League
15 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Hulunbuir Amateur League
7 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Hohhot Amateur League
12 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Xilingol Championship
14 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
| 8 | Xilinhot Super League
? clubs ↓ ? relegation spot | ||||
| 9 | Xilinhot League One
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot | ||||
Jiangsu FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Jiangsu Championship League
7 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | |||||||||||||
| 7 | Changzhou Super League | Huaian Super League | Lianyungang League One | Suzhou League Division A
8 clubs |
Yancheng Super League | Yangzhou League | Xuzhou Super League | Zhenjiang Super League
8 clubs | ||||||
| 8 | Changzhou League One | Huaian League One | Lianyungang League Two | Suzhou League Division B | Yancheng League One | Zhenjiang League One
16 clubs | ||||||||
| 9 | Changzhou League Two | Huaian League Two | Suzhou League Division C | Yancheng League Two | Zhenjiang League Two
18 clubs | |||||||||
| 10 | Kunshan League One | Xiangcheng League | Wujiang League One | Changshu League One | Zhangjiagang League | Taicang Super League | ||||||||
| 11 | Kunshan League Two | Wujiang League Two | Changshu League Two | Taicang Championship | ||||||||||
| 12 | Kunshan League Three | Changshu League Three | Taicang League One | |||||||||||
| 13 | Dianshanhu League | Zhouzhuang League | Hi-Tech District League | |||||||||||
Jiangxi FA
| Level | League | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Jiangxi League
6 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | ||||||||
| 7 | Jiangxi League Ganzhou Region Division One
(8-a-side) ? clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Fuzhou League One
10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Jingdezhen League
17 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Jiujiang Super League
7 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Nanchang Championship
? clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Shangrao XI Competition
10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Xinyu Championship
19 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Yichun League
12 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Jiangxi League Yingtan Region
12 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
| 8 | Jiangxi League Ganzhou Region Division Two
(8-a-side) ? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Fuzhou League Two
7 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Jiujiang League One
7 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
||||||
| 9 | |||||||||
Jilin FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | CMCL Jilin Region
4 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Kunming FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 7 | Kunming City Weekends Cup
? clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Liaoning FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Liaoning Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote |
| 7 |
Nanjing FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Nanjing Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Ningxia FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Ningxia Super League
7 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote |
| 7 |
Qingdao FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Qingdao City Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
| 7 | Qingdao City League One
9 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Qinghai FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Qinghai Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | ||||||
| 7 | Qinghai League One | ||||||
| Golog FA Cup
14 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Qinghai League One Haibei Region
5 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Haidong Competition
6 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Hainan FA Cup
6 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Qinghai League One Haixi Region
5 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Huangnan FA Cup
12 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Xining FA Cup
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot | |
| 8 | |||||||
Shaanxi FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Shaanxi Super League
10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | |||||||||||||||
| 7 | Shaanxi League One | Weinan Super League
11 clubs |
Yulin League
13 clubs | |||||||||||||
| Ankang Region
10 clubs |
Baoji Region
12 clubs |
Hanzhong Region
11 clubs |
Shangluo Region
8 clubs |
Tongchuan Region
8 clubs |
Xi'an Region
12 clubs |
Xianyang Region
16 clubs |
Yan'an Region | |||||||||
| 8 | Shaanxi League Two | Nanzheng Super League
9 clubs |
Shaanxi League Two | Shangzhou League
6 clubs |
Shaanxi League Two | Huyi League
6 clubs |
Shaanxi League Two | Sanyuan League
6 clubs |
Shaanxi League Two | Fuping Super League
9 clubs |
Shaanxi League Two | Shenmu League
8 clubs | ||||
| 10 regions, 61 clubs | 12 regions, 77 clubs | 10 regions, 68 clubs | 6 regions, 36 clubs | 3 regions, 20 clubs | 11 regions, 70 clubs | 13 regions, 97 clubs | 13 regions, 89 clubs | 10 regions, 61 clubs | 12 regions, 79 clubs | |||||||
Shandong FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Shandong Super League
10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | |||||||||
| 7 | Weifang Super League
8 clubs |
Zaozhuang Super League
9 clubs |
Heze League One
11 clubs |
Jinan Super League
17 clubs |
Liaocheng Super League
10 clubs |
Dezhou Super League
7 clubs |
Zibo City League
12 clubs |
Binzhou Super League
10 clubs |
Rizhao Super League
8 clubs |
Linyi League |
| 8 | Weifang League One
11 clubs |
Heze League Two
8 clubs |
Liaocheng League One Division A
9 clubs |
Dezhou League One
10 clubs |
Binzhou League One
17 clubs |
Rizhao League One
10 clubs |
||||
| 9 | Liaocheng League One Division B
8 clubs |
|||||||||
| 10 | ||||||||||
Shanghai FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Shanghai FA Super League Division A
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
| 7 | Shanghai FA Super League Division B
8 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
| 8 | Shanghai FA League One Division A
6 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
| 9 | Shanghai FA League One Division B
12 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Shanxi FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Shanxi Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote |
| 7 |
Shenyang FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Shengyang City League One
? clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
| 7 | Shengyang City League Two
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
| 8 | Shengyang City League Three
? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
| 9 |
Shenzhen FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Shenzhen FA City Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
| 7 | Shenzhen FA Division One
8 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
| 8 | Shenzhen FA Division Two
16 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Sichuan FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Sichuan Amateur League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 7 or below if don't promote | ||||||||
| 7 | Sichuan Amateur Regional League | ||||||||
| North Region
5 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
East Region
10 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
South Region
12 club ↑ 2 promotion spots |
West Region
8 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots | ||||||
| 8 | Deyang Amateur League Super Division
9 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Guangyuan FA Cup
13 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Guang'an League Super Division
8 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Sichuan Amateur League Leshan Region
16 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Zigong Amateur (Grassroots) League
13 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Yibing Amateur League
8 clubs ↑ 3 promotion spots |
Sichuan Amateur League Liangshan Region Super Division
12 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Yaan League
9 clubs ↑ 3 promotion spots |
Garzê Amateur Competition
9 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
| 9 | Deyang Amateur League Division One
9 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Guang'an League Division One
7 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Sichuan Amateur League Liangshan Region Division One
17 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
||||||
| 10 | Deyang Amateur League Division Two
14 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
||||||||
| 11 | |||||||||
Tianjin FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Tianjin Super League
11 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot | |
| 7 | Tianjin League One
10 clubs | |
| 8 | Tianjin League Two
8 clubs | |
Tibet FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 |
|
| 7 |
Wuhan FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Wuhan City Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot |
Xiamen FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 | Xiamen FA Super League[5]
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 relegation playoff spot |
| 7 | Xiamen FA League A
10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot + 1 promotion playoff spot, ↓ 2 relegation spots |
| 8 | Xiamen FA League B[6]
14 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Yunnan FA
| Level | League | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ ? relegation spot | |||||||||
| 7 | Dali League
28 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Chuxiong Weekends Amateur League
21 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Yunnan FA Amateur Super League Dehong Region
27 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Honghe City Super League
24 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Yunnan FA Amateur Super League Kunming Region
16 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Lijiang FA Cup
12 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Lincang Amateur Competition
14 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Wenshan League
22 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Sipsong Panna Amateur League
16 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Yuxi Cup
16 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
| 8 | ||||||||||
Yanbian FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 |
↑ 1 promotion spot |
| 7 |
Xi'an FA
no league
Xinjiang FA
| Level | League |
|---|---|
| 6 |
↑ 1 promotion spot |
| 7 |
Zhejiang FA
Top clubs (or other recommend clubs) promote to CMCL of the next season.
| Level | League | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Zhejiang Super League (CSL) Division A [7]
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot, ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 relegation playoff spot | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Zhejiang Super League (CSL) Division B
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot + 1 promotion playoff spot, ↓ 2 relegation playoff spots | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Hangzhou West Lake Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot, ↓ 2 relegation spots |
Huzhou Super League
7 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Jiaxing FA
(no league currently) ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Jinhua FA
(no league currently) ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
CSL Lishui Region
4 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 10 or below if don't promote |
Ningbo Super League
12 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Quzhou Super League Division One
10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot, ↓ ? relegation spot |
Shaoxing Super League
6 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Taizhou Super League
19 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot, ↓ all clubs relegate to tier 9 or below if don't promote |
Wenzhou Amateur Super League
8 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot |
Zhoushan League One
7 clubs ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot | |||||||||
| 9 | Hangzhou West Lake Championship League
(8-a-side) 24 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spots |
Nanxun League
10 clubs |
Changxing Amateur League One
8 clubs ↓ ? relegation spot |
Lishui 9-a-side League
11 clubs ↑ 4 promotion spots |
Ningbo League One
(8-a-side) 12 clubs ↓ ? relegation spot |
Quzhou Super League Division One
9 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Zhuji League
? clubs |
Wenling Super League
8 clubs ↓ 2 relegation spots |
Huangyan Youth League
10 clubs |
Ouhai Public League
15 clubs |
||||||||||
| 10 | Hangzhou West Lake Championship League Gongshu Region
(8-a-side) 8 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Hangzhou West Lake Championship League Xiacheng Region
(8-a-side) 12 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Hangzhou West Lake Championship League Yuhang Region
(8-a-side) ? clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Hangzhou West Lake Championship League Zhuantang Region
(8-a-side) 8 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Hangzhou West Lake Championship League Binjiang Region
(8-a-side) 8 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Changxing Amateur League One
10 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Jiyun FA League
13 clubs |
Ningbo League Two
(8-a-side) 20 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
Wenling League One
10 clubs ↑ 2 promotion spot |
|||||||||||
| 11 | Cixi Super League
? clubs |
Haishu Super Competition
6 clubs |
Jiangbei League
(8-a-side) 12 clubs |
Beilun Super League Division One
10 clubs ↓ ? relegation spot |
||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Beilun Super League Division Two
10 clubs ↑ ? promotion spot |
|||||||||||||||||||
Macau FA
Macau FAMacau Football Association runs MFA Development, fielding under-23 players. From Season 2018, they could participate in CMCL Regional Competition, but is not permitted to gain promotion to League Two.
References
- "Country Info". FIFA.com. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- "Chinese Super League". Football Top. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- "Chinese tycoon Ai Yakang buys actress daughter Ai Ru a football team". The Australian. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- Hodgart, Kenny (15 November 2016). "Chinese Super League is global sport's most 'star heavy'". www.atimes.com. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- "厦门市足协关于2020年厦超和厦甲联赛报名的通知". 12 May 2020.
- "关于举办2020厦门市足球协会乙级联赛的通知". 21 July 2020.
- "浙江省体育局关于下发《2020浙江省足球超级联赛规程》的通知". 9 July 2020.
External links
- Chinese Football Association (in Chinese)
- China League History
| National teams |
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| League system |
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| Domestic cups |
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| Regional tournaments |
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| International tournaments |
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| Awards | |||||
| Lists |
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