Chinese Super League

The Chinese Super League (CSL) is the highest tier of professional football (soccer) in China, with a total of 16 teams competing for the championship title each season. It was founded in 2004, and since then, it has grown in popularity and financial resources, attracting top football talent from around the world.

Chinese Super League

The Chinese Super League (CSL) is the highest level of professional football in China. The league was founded in 2004 and has since become one of the most popular and lucrative football leagues in Asia. The CSL is organized by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and consists of 16 teams. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the Chinese Super League, its teams, and its awards.

History:

The Chinese Super League was established in 2004 as the successor to the Chinese Jia-A League, which had been the top-level professional football league in China since 1994. The new league was intended to raise the profile of Chinese football and attract more investment and sponsorship. The first season of the CSL was won by Shenzhen Jianlibao, and the league has grown in popularity and competitiveness ever since.

Teams:

The CSL currently consists of 16 teams. The league operates on a promotion/relegation system with the China League One, the second tier of professional football in China. The 16 teams in the CSL for the 2021 season are:

  1. Beijing Guoan FC
  2. Changchun Yatai FC
  3. Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic FC
  4. Dalian Pro FC
  5. Guangzhou FC
  6. Guangzhou City FC
  7. Hebei FC
  8. Henan Songshan Longmen FC
  9. Jiangsu FC
  10. Qingdao FC
  11. Shandong Taishan FC
  12. Shanghai Port FC
  13. Shenzhen FC
  14. Tianjin Jinmen Tiger FC
  15. Wuhan Three Towns FC
  16. Xiamen Egret Island FC

Each team is required to have at least five Chinese players in their starting line-up, and there are strict salary caps in place to prevent excessive spending. Despite these restrictions, some of the world's top footballers have played in the CSL in recent years, including Oscar, Hulk, Yannick Carrasco, Marouane Fellaini, and Alexandre Pato.

Some information about teams:

  • Beijing Guoan FC: Named after the ancient city of Beijing and the Chinese word "guoan," which means "national security." The team was founded in 1951 and has a long history of success in Chinese football. They have won the CSL once (in 2009) and have also won the Chinese FA Cup three times.
  • Changchun Yatai FC: "Yatai" means "Asia-Pacific" in Chinese, and the team is named after the Changchun Yatai Group, a local conglomerate. The team was founded in 1996 and has been a consistent presence in the CSL since its inception. They have never won the CSL, but they did win the Chinese FA Cup in 2000 and 2017.
  • Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic FC: Named after the Liangjiang New Area, a development zone in Chongqing. The team was founded in 2000 and has played in both the Jia-A League and the CSL. They have never won the CSL or the Chinese FA Cup.
  • Dalian Pro FC: Formerly known as Dalian Aerbin, the team is named after the Dalian-based real estate company, Wanda Group. The team was founded in 2009 and has had a somewhat tumultuous history, including a bankruptcy in 2015. They have never won the CSL or the Chinese FA Cup.
  • Guangzhou FC: The team is named after the city of Guangzhou, which is also known as Canton. The team was founded in 1954 and is one of the most successful clubs in Chinese football history. They have won the CSL a record 9 times (in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019) and have also won the Chinese FA Cup twice.
  • Guangzhou City FC: Formerly known as Guangzhou R&F, the team is named after the real estate company, R&F Properties. The team was founded in 2011 and has been a consistent presence in the CSL since then. They have never won the CSL, but they did win the Chinese FA Cup in 2014.
  • Hebei FC: The team is named after the Hebei province in northern China. The team was founded in 2010 and has played in both the China League One and the CSL. They have never won the CSL or the Chinese FA Cup.
  • Henan Songshan Longmen FC: Named after the Songshan Mountain range in the Henan province. The team was founded in 1990 and has played in both the Jia-A League and the CSL. They have never won the CSL, but they did win the Chinese FA Cup in 1995.
  • Jiangsu FC: The team is named after the Jiangsu province in eastern China. The team was founded in 1958 and has a long history of success in Chinese football. They won the CSL for the first time in 2020, as well as the Chinese FA Cup in 2015 and 2018.
  • Qingdao FC: The team is named after the coastal city of Qingdao. The team was founded in 2014 and has played in both the China League One and the CSL. They have never won the CSL or the Chinese FA Cup.