The first domestic football national championship in Cambodia was first established in 1982 during the People's Republic of Kampuchea years. The competing clubs were primarily based on the Soviet model of official amateur teams formed by ministries, the police, army and other state owned enterprises.[2]
In the 2000s, the Cambodian League or C-League was brought about and was rebranded as the Metfone Cambodian League or Metfone C-League at the start of the 2005 season, courtesy of corporate sponsorship of the league's name. Over the course of the following years, the standard of professionalism would change with clubs being formed and clubs being sponsored by corporate entities. In 2018, it was announced that all clubs participating in the league would be required to have access to their own stadium before the start of the 2019 season. This was an attempt by the Football Federation of Cambodia to help further modernize football in Cambodia. In past seasons, many of the league's clubs have shared the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium or the Old Stadium.[3] Since its inception as an official professional league in 2005, a total of 36 clubs have competed. 6 clubs have been crowned champions, with Phnom Penh Crown winning the title a record 8 times.[4]
Cambodian Premier League
In October 2021, Satoshi Saito, the former international marketer for FC Barcelona of La Liga, was announced as the CEO of the Cambodian Football League Company (CFLC) which would take over the Metfone C-League's administrative and financial duties and establish the league as Cambodian Premier League starting with the 2022 season.[5]
The Cambodia Classic Match
The Cambodia Classic Match is given to the rivalry between Phnom Penh Crown and Boeung Ket. On February 6, 2012, both teams met for the first time.[6]
Locations of the 2023–24 Cambodian Premier League teams
The 2023–24 Cambodian Premier League season has welcomed fresh teams and faces, with Prey Veng Football Club and ISI Dangkor Senchey FC joining the league. These teams met the demanding national club license requirements, joining stalwarts like Phnom Penh Crown and Visakha Football Club. Despite being the 2022 second league champions, EDC Club Premium did not join the top tier this season due to not meeting the comprehensive licensing criteria. Prey Veng FC and ISI Dangkor Senchey FC have expressed their readiness for the league, with ISI Dangkor Senchey FC notably announcing seven new signings.[12]
