China League One
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
CountryChina
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams16
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toSuper League
Relegation toLeague Two
Domestic cup(s)FA Cup
Current championsShenzhen Peng City
(2023)
Most championshipsDalian Professional
Guangzhou
Henan
(2 titles each)
TV partnersPPTV, Dongqiudi ((live streaming)
Websitewww.csl-china.com/cfl-h5/#/ZJNews
Current: 2024 China League One

The Chinese Football Association League 1 (Chinese: 中国足球协会甲级联赛; pinyin: Zhōngguó Zúqiú Xiéhuì Jiǎjí Liánsài), also known as China League One or Chinese Jia League (Chinese: 中甲联赛), is the second level of professional football in China. Above League One is the Chinese Super League.

Prior to the formation of the Chinese Super League, Jia League was known as Jia B League. The then top two levels of Chinese football league were known as Jia A League and Jia B League respectively. Jia A was rebranded as CSL and Jia B was rebranded as the current Jia League in 2004. Below the Jia League is the Yi League, following the Chinese Heavenly Stems naming convention of numbers.

It is currently made up of 16 teams, playing each other home and away once. At the end of each season, the top two teams are promoted to the CSL and the two lowest placed teams from the CSL are relegated to China League Two. The top two teams from China League Two are promoted and replace the two lowest placed teams from China League One.

Current clubs

Club Home City Stadium Capacity Seasons in League One Best finish Worst finish Spell in level 2 Head coach
Club name Name in Chinese
Chongqing Tongliang Long 重庆铜梁龙 Chongqing Tongliang Long Stadium 20,000 2024 from 2024 China Lin Lin
Dalian Young Boy 大连英博 Dalian Dalian Barracuda Bay Football Stadium 63,671 2024 from 2024 China Li Guoxu
Foshan Nanshi 佛山南狮 Foshan Nanhai District Stadium 8,000 2023 to 2024 7th, 2023 7th, 2023 from 2023 Serbia Dejan Antonic
Guangxi Pingguo Haliao 广西平果哈嘹 Pingguo Pingguo Stadium 30,000 2022 to 2024 4th, 2023 11th, 2022 from 2022 Spain Gabri
Guangzhou 广州 Guangzhou Huadu Stadium 13,394 2004 to 2007, 2010, 2023 to 2024 1st, 2007, 2010 12th, 2023 from 2023 Spain Salvador Suay
Heilongjiang Ice City 黑龙江冰城 Harbin Harbin ICE Center Stadium 48,000 2018 to 2024 4th, 2019 15th, 2020 from 2018 China Jia Shunhao
Jiangxi Lushan 江西庐山 Ruichang Ruichang Sports Park Stadium 13,188 2015, 2020 to 2024 14th, 2021, 2022 16th, 2015, 2020, 2023 from 2023 China Yu Ming
Liaoning Tieren 辽宁铁人 Shenyang Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium 60,000 2020 to 2024 10th, 2023 16th, 2021 from 2020 China Gao Mingqi
Nanjing City 南京城市 Nanjing Wutaishan Stadium 22,000 2021 to 2024 5th, 2023 10th, 2021, 2022 from 2021 South Korea Kim Jong-boo
Qingdao Red Lions 青岛红狮 Qingdao Qingdao Tiantai Stadium 20,525 2024 China Sun Xinbo
Shanghai Jiading Huilong 上海嘉定汇龙 Shanghai Jiading Stadium 9,704 2022 to 2024 11th, 2023 13th, 2022 from 2022 China Yang Lin
Shijiazhuang Gongfu 石家庄功夫 Shijiazhuang Yutong International Sports Center 38,000 2022 to 2024 3rd, 2023 4th, 2022 from 2022 Spain Juan Carlos Añón
Suzhou Dongwu 苏州东吴 Suzhou Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre 40,933 2020 to 2024 6th, 2022 14th, 2023 from 2020 South Korea Kim Dae-eui
Wuxi Wugo 无锡吴钩 Wuxi Wuxi Sports Center 28,000 2023 to 2024 15th, 2023 15th, 2023 from 2023 China Li Yi'nan
Yanbian Longding 延边龙鼎 Yanji Yanji Stadium 30,000 2023 to 2024 8th, 2023 8th, 2023 from 2023 South Korea Kim Bong-gil
Yunnan Yukun 云南玉昆 Yuxi Yuxi Plateau Sports Center Stadium 25,545 2024 from 2023 China Li Jinyu

Clubs Locations

China League One is located in China
Chongqing Tongliang Long
Dalian Young Boy
Foshan Nanshi
Guangxi Pingguo Haliao
Guangzhou
Heilongjiang Ice City
Jiangxi Lushan
Liaoning Tieren
Nanjing City
Qingdao Red Lions
Shanghai Jiading Huilong
Shijiazhuang Gongfu
Suzhou Dongwu
Wuxi Wugo
Yunnan Yukun
Yanbian Longding
Location of teams in 2024 China League One

Former clubs

Club Seasons in League One Best finish Worst finish Current league
Pinyin name Chinese name
Qingdao West Coast 青岛西海岸 2022 to 2023 2nd, 2023 8th, 2022 Chinese Super League
Sichuan Jiuniu 四川九牛 2020 to 2023 1st, 2023 8th, 2021 Chinese Super League
Nantong Zhiyun 南通支云 2019 to 2022 3rd, 2022 12th, 2019, 2020 Chinese Super League
Qingdao Hainiu 青岛海牛 2014 to 2016, 2022 2nd, 2022 15th, 2016 Chinese Super League
Wuhan Three Towns 武汉三镇 2021 1st, 2021 Chinese Super League
Chengdu Rongcheng 成都蓉城 2020 to 2021 4th, 2020, 2021 Chinese Super League
Meizhou Hakka 梅州客家 2016 to 2021 2nd, 2021 12th, 2016, 2017 Chinese Super League
Zhejiang 浙江职业 2004 to 2006, 2017 to 2021 2nd, 2006 9th, 2017 Chinese Super League
Changchun Yatai 长春亚泰 2004 to 2005, 2019 to 2020 1st, 2020 5th, 2019 Chinese Super League
Cangzhou Mighty Lions 沧州雄狮 2012 to 2014, 2017 to 2019 2nd, 2014, 2019 8th, 2013 Chinese Super League
Henan 河南 2004 to 2006, 2013 1st, 2006, 2013 10th, 2005 Chinese Super League
Shanghai Port 上海海港 2008 to 2012 1st, 2012 9th, 2011 Chinese Super League
Hunan Billows 湖南湘涛 2010 to 2016 4th, 2011 16th, 2016 China League Two
Beijing BIT 北京理工大学 2007 to 2015, 2021 to 2022 7th, 2008 18th, 2022 China League Two
Sichuan F.C. 四川足球俱乐部 2008 to 2009 5th, 2008 13th, 2009 Inactive
Xi'an Anxinyuan 西安安馨园 2004 17th, 2004 Inactive
Jinan Xingzhou 济南兴洲 2023 6th, 2023 Defunct
Zibo Cuju 淄博蹴鞠 2021 to 2022 11th, 2021 15th, 2022 Defunct
Kunshan F.C. 昆山足球俱乐部 2020 to 2022 1st, 2022 9th, 2021 Defunct
Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic 陕西长安竞技 2019 to 2022 5th, 2022 11th, 2020 Defunct
Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard 新疆天山雪豹 2013 to 2022 8th, 2015 18th, 2020, 2021 Defunct
Beijing BSU 北京北体大 2010 to 2022 4th, 2014, 2015 16th, 2022 Defunct
Guizhou F.C. 贵州足球俱乐部 2011, 2013, 2015 to 2016, 2019 to 2021 2nd, 2016 16th, 2013 Defunct
Taizhou Yuanda 泰州远大 2020 6th, 2020 Defunct
Beijing Renhe 北京人和 2016 to 2017, 2020 2nd, 2017 4th, 2016 Defunct
Inner Mongolia Zhongyou 内蒙古中优 2015 to 2020 6th, 2015 13th, 2018 Defunct
Sichuan Longfor 四川隆发 2019 14th, 2019 Defunct
Qingdao Huanghai 青岛黄海 2014 to 2019 1st, 2019 12th, 2014 Defunct
Liaoning F.C. 辽宁足球俱乐部 2009, 2018 to 2019 1st, 2009 15th, 2019 Defunct
Shanghai Shenxin 上海申鑫 2006 to 2009, 2016 to 2019 2nd, 2009 16th, 2019 Defunct
Dalian Transcendence 大连超越 2016 to 2018 14th, 2016, 2017 15th, 2018 Defunct
Shenzhen F.C. 深圳足球俱乐部 2012 to 2018 2nd, 2018 12th, 2015 Defunct
Wuhan Zall 武汉卓尔 2010 to 2012, 2014 to 2018 1st, 2018 10th, 2015 Defunct
Zhejiang Yiteng 浙江毅腾 2007 to 2008, 2012 to 2013, 2015 to 2018 2nd, 2013 13th, 2008, 2016, 2017 Defunct
Yanbian Funde 延边富德 2005 to 2015, 2018 1st, 2015 16th, 2014 Defunct
Baoding Yingli ETS 保定英利易通 2017 15th, 2017 Defunct
Yunnan Lijiang 云南丽江 2017 16th, 2017 Defunct
Dalian Pro 大连人 2011, 2015 to 2017 1st, 2011, 2017 5th, 2016 Defunct
Tianjin Quanjian 天津权健 2011 to 2016 1st, 2016 12th, 2011 Defunct
Hebei China Fortune 河北华夏幸福 2014 to 2015 2nd, 2015 14th, 2014 Defunct
Shenyang Zhongze 沈阳中泽 2011 to 2014 6th, 2011, 2013 12th, 2012 Defunct
Guangdong Sunray Cave 广东日之泉 2009 to 2014 3rd, 2011, 2013 13th, 2014 Defunct
Chongqing Lifan 重庆力帆 2007 to 2008, 2011 to 2014 1st, 2014 8th, 2011 Defunct
Chengdu Tiancheng 成都天诚 2004 to 2007, 2010, 2012 to 2014 2nd, 2007, 2010 15th, 2014 Defunct
Chongqing F.C. 重庆足球俱乐部 2012 to 2013 8th, 2012 15th, 2013 Defunct
Hohhot Dongjin 呼和浩特东进 2009 to 2012 3rd, 2009 16th, 2012 Defunct
Guangzhou R&F 广州富力 2011 2nd, 2011 Defunct
Anhui Jiufang 安徽九方 2008 to 2010 4th, 2008 9th, 2010 Defunct
Shanghai Zobon 上海中邦 2005 to 2010 8th, 2007 11th, 2008 Defunct
Nanjing Yoyo 南京有有 2004 to 2010 5th, 2006 13th, 2010 Defunct
Beijing Hongdeng 北京宏登 2006 to 2009 9th, 2007 12th, 2006, 2008 Defunct
Qingdao Hailifeng 青岛海利丰 2004 to 2009 6th, 2005 11th, 2004 Defunct
Jiangsu Sainty 江苏舜天 2004 to 2008 1st, 2008 6th, 2004, 2006 Defunct
Hohhot Black Horse 呼和浩特黑马 2006 to 2007 9th, 2006 13th, 2007 Defunct
Hunan Shoking 湖南湘军 2004 to 2006 12th, 2005 14th, 2004 Defunct
Dalian Changbo 大连长波 2004 to 2005 13th, 2005 15th, 2004 Defunct
Xiamen Blue Lions 厦门蓝狮 2004 to 2005 1st, 2005 3rd, 2004 Defunct
Shenzhen Kejian 深圳科健 2004 10th, 2004 Defunct
Ningbo National Power 宁波国力 2004 12th, 2004 Defunct
Dongguan Dongcheng 东莞东城 2004 16th, 2004 Defunct
Shanghai United 上海联城 2004 2nd, 2004 Defunct
Wuhan Huanghelou 武汉黄鹤楼 2004 1st, 2004 Defunct

Winners

Season Winners Runners-up Third-place Fourth-place
2004 Wuhan Huanghelou Zhuhai Zobon Xiamen Blue Lions Guangzhou Pharmaceutical
2005 Xiamen Blue Lions Changchun Yatai Zhejiang Green Town Guangzhou Pharmaceutical
2006 Henan Construction Zhejiang Green Town Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Chengdu Blades
2007 Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Chengdu Blades Jiangsu Sainty Chongqing Lifan
2008 Jiangsu Sainty Chongqing Lifan Nanchang Bayi Hengyuan Anhui Jiufang
2009 Liaoning F.C. Nanchang Bayi Hengyuan Shenyang Dongjin Shanghai East Asia
2010 Guangzhou Evergrande Chengdu Blades Yanbian F.C. Shanghai East Asia
2011 Dalian Aerbin Guangzhou R&F Guangdong Sunray Cave Hunan Billows
2012 Shanghai East Asia Wuhan Zall Fujian Smart Hero Harbin Songbei Yiteng
2013 Henan Jianye Harbin Yiteng Guangdong Sunray Cave Chongqing Lifan
2014 Chongqing Lifan Shijiazhuang Yongchang Wuhan Zall Beijing Baxy
2015 Yanbian Changbaishan Hebei Zhongji Dalian Aerbin Beijing Enterprises Group
2016 Tianjin Quanjian Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng Qingdao Huanghai Beijing Renhe
2017 Dalian Yifang Beijing Renhe Shijiazhuang Ever Bright Qingdao Huanghai
2018 Wuhan Zall Shenzhen F.C. Zhejiang Greentown Qingdao Huanghai
2019 Qingdao Huanghai Shijiazhuang Ever Bright Guizhou Hengfeng Heilongjiang Lava Spring
2020 Changchun Yatai Zhejiang Energy Greentown Kunshan F.C. Chengdu Better City
2021 Wuhan Three Towns Meizhou Hakka Zhejiang Chengdu Rongcheng
2022 Kunshan Qingdao Hainiu Nantong Zhiyun Shijiazhuang Gongfu
2023 Sichuan Jiuniu Qingdao West Coast Shijiazhuang Gongfu Guangxi Pingguo Haliao

Attendance

Season Total attendance Games Average No. Of Clubs Promotion slots Relegation Slots
1995 805,200 131 6,147 12 2 4
1996 1,306,800 132 9,900 12 2 2
1997 1,518,000 132 11,500 12 4 2
1998 1,808,400 132 13,700 12 2 2
1999 2,006,400 132 15,200 12 2 2
2000 2,005,500 132 15,193 12 2 2
2001 1,814,100 132 13,743 12 1 1
2002 1,018,400 132 7,715 12 - -
2003 1,413,750 182 7,768 14 - 1
2004 1,842,900 272 6,775 17 2 2
2005 1,081,900 159 6,804 14 2 1
2006 1,190,787 156 7,633 13 2 1
2007 1,046,160 144 7,265 13 2 1
2008 654,200 156 4,194 13 2 1
2009 671,793 156 4,306 13 2 1
2010 568,000 156 3,641 13 2 1
2011 645,038 182 3,544 14 2 1
2012 958,955 240 3,996 16 2 1
2013 1,129,912 240 4,708 16 2 2
2014 1,280,121 240 5,334 16 2 2
2015 2,161,165 240 9,007 16 2 2
2016 1,493,919 240 6,225 16 2 2
2017 1,857,359 240 7,739 16 2 2

Awards

Top scorers

Season Top scorer Club Goals
2004 Brazil Will Wuhan Huanghelou 22
2005 Belarus Mikalay Ryndzyuk Guangzhou F.C. 15
2006 Brazil Tico Zhejiang Green Town 15
2007 Honduras Luis Ramírez Guangzhou Pharmaceutical 19
2008 Romania Sabin Ilie Qingdao Hailifeng 18
2009 Colombia Martín García Nanchang Bayi Hengyuan 19
2010 China Gao Lin Guangzhou Evergrande 20
2011 Honduras Mitchel Brown1
Costa Rica Johnny Woodly 		Hunan Billows
Dalian Aerbin 		13
2012 Senegal Babacar Gueye Shenzhen Ruby 23
2013 Senegal Babacar Gueye Shenzhen Ruby 23
2014 Brazil Guto Chongqing Lifan 21
2015 South Korea Ha Tae-kyun Yanbian Changbaishan 26
2016 Brazil Luís Fabiano Tianjin Quanjian 22
2017 Bolivia Marcelo Moreno1
Colombia Harold Preciado 		Wuhan Zall
Shenzhen 		23
2018 Cameroon John Mary Meizhou Hakka 24
2019 Democratic Republic of the Congo Oscar Maritu Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic 22
2020 China Tan Long Changchun Yatai 11

Most valuable player

Season Player Club
2013 China Xu Yang Henan Jianye
2014 China Wang Dong Chongqing Lifan
2015 South Korea Ha Tae-kyun Yanbian Changbaishan
2016 Brazil Luís Fabiano Tianjin Quanjian
2017 Brazil Matheus[1] Shijiazhuang Ever Bright
2018 China Ji Xiaoxuan[2] Zhejiang Yiteng
2019 China Tan Long Changchun Yatai

Best goalkeeper

Season Player Club
2013 China Zhou Yajun Henan Jianye
2014 China Wang Guoming Shijiazhuang Yongchang
2015 China Chi Wenyi Yanbian Changbaishan
2016 China Zhang Lu Tianjin Quanjian
2017 China Zhang Lie[1] Beijing Renhe
2018 China Mou Pengfei[2] Heilongjiang Lava Spring
2019 China Xu Jiamin Heilongjiang Lava Spring

Youth player of the year

Season Player Club
2016 China Ming Tian Wuhan Zall
2017 China Wang Jinxian[1] Dalian Yifang
2018 China Zhang Hongjiang[2] Meizhou Hakka
2019 China Xu Yue Shanghai Shenxin

Best coach

Season Player Club
2013 China Tang Yaodong Henan Jianye
2014 Croatia Goran Tomić Beijing Baxy
2015 South Korea Park Tae-ha Yanbian Changbaishan
2016 China Li Bing Guizhou Zhicheng
2017 Spain Juan Ramón López Caro[1] Dalian Yifang
2018 China Li Tie[2] Wuhan Zall
2019 China Wang Bo Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic

Reserve league and Elite league

Season Reserve Champions Elite Champions
2014 Wuhan Zall Not Held
2015 Qingdao Jonoon Not Held
2016 Beijing Enterprises Group Not Held
2017 Wuhan Zall Dalian Yifang
2018 Wuhan Zall Not Held
2019 Shijiazhuang Yongchang Not Held

Sponsors

Sponsorships
Season Sponsor Annual Value Official League Name
2015 58.com ¥30 million 58.com Chinese Football Association China League
2016 ¥30 million 58.com Chinese Football Association China League
2017 ¥35 million 58.com Chinese Football Association China League
2018 ¥50 million 58.com Chinese Football Association China League

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e 中甲颁奖典礼一方成最大赢家 永昌马修斯夺MVP
  2. ^ a b c d 中甲颁奖礼李铁荣膺最佳主帅 土炮季骁宣力斩MVP

External links

China League One
Football in China
Second-level football leagues of Asia (AFC)
Categories