Chinese Super League facts for kids
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| Organising body | Chinese Professional Football League |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 |
| Country | China |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 16 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | China League One |
| Domestic cup(s) | Chinese FA Cup Chinese FA Super Cup |
| International cup(s) | AFC Champions League Elite (1st tier) AFC Champions League Two (2nd tier) |
| Current champions | Shanghai Port (3rd title) (2024) |
| Most championships | Guangzhou (8 titles) |
| Most appearances | Wang Dalei (446 games) |
| Top goalscorer | Wu Lei (165 goals) |
| TV partners | CCTV Migu |
| Chinese Football Super League | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 中国足球超级联赛 | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 中國足球超級聯賽 | ||||||
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| CSL | |||||||
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| Chinese | 中超 | ||||||
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The Chinese Football Super League (Chinese: 中国足球超级联赛; pinyin: Zhōngguó Zúqiú Chāojí Liánsài), often called the Chinese Super League or CSL (Chinese: 中超; pinyin: Zhōngchāo), is China's top professional association football league. It is the highest level of football in the Chinese football league system. The league is run by the Chinese Professional Football League (CFL) and was started in 2004. It replaced the older top division, the Chinese Jia-A League.
When it first began, 12 teams played in the CSL. Now, 16 teams compete in the league. Since 2004, 40 different teams have played in the CSL. Nine of these teams have won the championship. Guangzhou has won the most titles with eight. The current champions are Shanghai Port, who won the 2024 season.
The Chinese Super League is one of the most popular sports leagues in China. In 2018, about 24,107 fans attended each game. This made it one of the most-watched football leagues in the world.
Contents
How the League Works
Playing the Game
The Chinese Super League season usually starts in February or March. It finishes in November or December. This is different from many European leagues. In each season, every team plays against every other team twice. They play one game at home and one game away.
With 16 teams in the Chinese Super League, each team plays 30 matches. There are 8 games in each round, making a total of 240 games per season.
Moving Up and Down
At the end of the season, the two teams with the fewest points are moved down to the China League One. This is called relegation. In their place, the top two teams from the China League One are promoted to the Super League.
How Teams are Ranked
Teams earn points for winning games (3 points) and drawing games (1 point). If two or more teams have the same number of points, special rules are used to decide who ranks higher:
- The team with more points from games played only between those tied teams.
- The team with a better goal difference in games between those tied teams.
- The team that scored more goals in games between those tied teams.
- Other rules like points from reserve team leagues, goal difference overall, and fair-play points are also used.
International Competitions
Chinese Super League teams also play in international competitions. The top teams from the CSL, along with the winner of the Chinese FA Cup, can qualify for the AFC Champions League. This is a big tournament for clubs in Asia.
Between 2002 and 2017, Chinese clubs won the AFC Champions League two times. This shows they are strong competitors in Asia.
League History
How it Started
Football has a long history in China. Organised league play began in 1951. Over the years, the league changed and grew. In the 1980s, businesses started to support football teams. This helped the league become more professional. The top league was then called the Chinese Jia-A League.
In the early 1990s, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) decided to make the league fully professional. The Jia-A league became very popular at first. However, it later faced problems like gambling and match-fixing. This made fans lose interest. To fix these issues, the CFA decided to create a new league system. This led to the birth of the Chinese Super League.
The CFA announced the new Chinese Super League in 2002. The first season began in 2004. The goal was to make Chinese football more professional and exciting. They wanted to learn from successful leagues in Europe.
Building the CSL
The CSL set higher standards for teams compared to the old Jia-A league. Clubs had to show they were well-managed and financially stable. They also had to have good youth development programs. The CSL also has a reserve league and youth leagues for different age groups.
The CSL aims to have high-quality games. It also wants to bring in better foreign coaches and players. The league also works to set up player transfer rules similar to those in Europe.
Key Moments
The first CSL season in 2004 had 12 teams. It faced some challenges from the past, like match-fixing scandals. This caused low attendance and financial losses.
Over the years, the league grew. In 2006, it planned to have 16 teams. However, some teams withdrew or merged, so it took a few more years to reach 16 stable teams. Since 2009, the league has consistently had 16 clubs. Two teams are relegated and two are promoted each season.
In 2010, a big scandal hit the CSL. Several top officials from the CFA were arrested for gambling and match-fixing. This led to a nationwide effort to clean up football.
After this, the CSL's image improved. Clubs like Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai Shenhua started to invest a lot in famous foreign players. Stars like Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, and Darío Conca joined the league. Famous coaches like Marcello Lippi also came to China.
In 2012, Guangzhou Evergrande became the first team to win the CSL title two years in a row. Sadly, Dalian Shide, a very successful club, faced financial problems and closed down in 2013.
In 2013, David Beckham became the first global ambassador for the CSL. Also, Shanghai Shenhua lost its 2003 title due to match-fixing. In the same year, Guangzhou Evergrande won the Asian Champions League, a first for a Chinese Super League team.
Guangzhou Evergrande continued their success, winning four league titles in a row by 2014. They also won the AFC Champions League again in 2015.
The CSL became a big player in the global transfer market around 2016-2017. Many international stars like Oscar, Carlos Tevez, and Alexandre Pato joined Chinese clubs.
In 2018, Shanghai SIPG broke Guangzhou Evergrande's winning streak. They won the CSL title, ending Guangzhou's 7-year run.
In 2019, the CSL started using professional referees, including some from other countries.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the 2020 season. Games were played in special "bubble" locations, and the format was changed to group stages and knockouts.
Clubs
Champions
The table below shows the champions and runners-up of the Chinese Super League since it began in 2004.
| Season | Champions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Shenzhen Jianlibao | Shandong Luneng |
| 2005 | Dalian Shide | Shanghai Shenhua |
| 2006 | Shandong Luneng | Shanghai Shenhua |
| 2007 | Changchun Yatai | Beijing Guoan |
| 2008 | Shandong Luneng | Shanghai Shenhua |
| 2009 | Beijing Guoan | Changchun Yatai |
| 2010 | Shandong Luneng | Tianjin TEDA |
| 2011 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Beijing Guoan |
| 2012 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Jiangsu Sainty |
| 2013 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Shandong Luneng |
| 2014 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Beijing Guoan |
| 2015 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Shanghai SIPG |
| 2016 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Jiangsu Suning |
| 2017 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Shanghai SIPG |
| 2018 | Shanghai SIPG | Guangzhou Evergrande |
| 2019 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Beijing Guoan |
| 2020 | Jiangsu Suning | Guangzhou Evergrande |
| 2021 | Shandong Taishan | Shanghai Port |
| 2022 | Wuhan Three Towns | Shandong Taishan |
| 2023 | Shanghai Port | Shandong Taishan |
| 2024 | Shanghai Port | Shanghai Shenhua |
Club Successes
This table shows how many times each club has won or been a runner-up in the Chinese Super League.
| Club | Titles | Runners-up | Winning seasons | Runner-up seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou |
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2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 | 2018, 2020 |
| Shandong Taishan |
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2006, 2008, 2010, 2021 | 2004, 2013, 2022, 2023 |
| Shanghai Port |
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2018, 2023, 2024 | 2015, 2017, 2021 |
| Beijing Guoan |
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2009 | 2007, 2011, 2014, 2019 |
| Jiangsu |
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2020 | 2012, 2016 |
| Changchun Yatai |
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2007 | 2009 |
| Shenzhen |
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2004 | |
| Dalian Shide |
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2005 | |
| Wuhan Three Towns |
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2022 | |
| Shanghai Shenhua |
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2005, 2006, 2008, 2024 | |
| Tianjin Jinmen Tiger |
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2010 | |
| Total | 21 | 21 |
Current Teams
Here is a map showing where the 2024 Chinese Super League teams are located.
| Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Seasons | Best finish | Worst finish | Current spell | Head coach | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Chinese name | ||||||||
| Beijing Guoan | 北京国安 | Beijing | Workers' Stadium | 68,000 | 2004 to 2025 | 1st (2009) | 9th (2017) | from 2004 |  Quique Setién |
| Changchun Yatai | 长春亚泰 | Changchun | Changchun Stadium | 41,638 | 2006 to 2018 2021 to 2025 |
1st (2007) | 15th (2018) | from 2021 |  Xie Hui |
| Chengdu Rongcheng | 成都蓉城 | Chengdu | Phoenix Hill Football Stadium | 50,695 | 2022 to 2025 | 3rd (2024) | 5th (2022) | from 2022 |  Seo Jung-won |
| Dalian Yingbo | 大连英博 | Dalian | Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium | 63,671 | 2025 | none | from 2025 | Li Guoxu |
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| Henan | 河南 | Zhengzhou | Hanghai Stadium | 29,860 | 2007 to 2012 2014 to 2025 |
3rd (2009) | 16th (2012) | from 2014 | Nam Ki-il |
| Meizhou Hakka | 梅州客家 | Wuhua County | Wuhua County Olympic Sports Centre | 27,000 | 2022 to 2025 | 9th (2022) | 15th (2024) | from 2022 |  Milan Ristić |
| Qingdao Hainiu | 青岛海牛 | Qingdao | Qingdao Youth Football Stadium | 50,000 | 2004 to 2013 2023 to 2025 |
6th (2011) | 15th (2013) | from 2023 | Li Xiaopeng |
| Qingdao West Coast | 青岛西海岸 | Qingdao | Qingdao West Coast University City Sports Center | 27,000 | 2024 to 2025 | 10th (2024) | from 2024 | Shao Jiayi |
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| Shandong Taishan | 山东泰山 | Jinan | Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium | 56,808 | 2004 to 2025 | 1st (2006, 2008, 2010, 2021) | 14th (2016) | from 2004 | Choi Kang-hee |
| Shanghai Port | 上海海港 | Shanghai | Pudong Football Stadium | 37,000 | 2013 to 2025 | 1st (2018, 2023, 2024) | 9th (2013) | from 2013 |  Kevin Muscat |
| Shanghai Shenhua | 上海申花 | Shanghai | Shanghai Stadium | 71,066 | 2004 to 2025 | 2nd (2005, 2006, 2008, 2024) | 13th (2019) | from 2004 |  Leonid Slutsky |
| Shenzhen Peng City | 深圳新鹏城 | Shenzhen | Shenzhen Stadium | 45,000 | 2024 to 2025 | 14th (2024) | from 2024 |  Christian Lattanzio |
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| Tianjin Jinmen Tiger | 天津津门虎 | Tianjin | TEDA Soccer Stadium | 36,390 | 2004 to 2025 | 2nd (2010) | 14th (2018) | from 2004 | Yu Genwei |
| Wuhan Three Towns | 武汉三镇 | Wuhan | Wuhan Sports Center | 56,201 | 2022 to 2025 | 1st (2022) | 11th (2024) | from 2022 |  Filipe Martins |
| Yunnan Yukun | 云南玉昆 | Yuxi | Yuxi Plateau Sports Center Stadium | 30,500 | 2025 | none | from 2025 |  Jørn Andersen |
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| Zhejiang Professional | 浙江 | Hangzhou | Huanglong Sports Center | 51,971 | 2007 to 2016 2022 to 2025 |
3rd (2022, 2023) | 15th (2009, 2016) | from 2022 | |
Former Teams
Many teams have played in the CSL over the years. Some have been relegated, while others have unfortunately closed down.
| Club | Home City | Stadium | Capacity | Seasons in CSL | Best finish | Worst finish | Current league | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Chinese name | |||||||
| Nantong Zhiyun | 南通支云 | Rugao | Rugao Olympic Sports Center | 14,603 | 2023 to 2024 | 14th (2023) | 16th (2024) | China League One |
| Guangzhou | 广州 | Guangzhou | Tianhe Stadium | 54,856 | 2008 to 2009, 2011 to 2022 | 1st (2011 to 2017, 2019) | 17th (2022) | Defunct |
| Cangzhou Mighty Lions | 沧州雄狮 | Cangzhou | Cangzhou Stadium | 31,836 | 2015 to 2016 2020 to 2025 |
7th (2015) | 16th (2016, 2020) | Defunct |
| Dalian Professional | 大连人 | Dalian | Dalian Barracuda Bay Football Stadium | 63,000 | 2012 to 2014, 2018 to 2023 | 5th (2012, 2013) | 15th (2014, 2021, 2023) | Defunct |
| Shenzhen | 深圳 | Shenzhen | Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre | 60,334 | 2004 to 2011, 2019 to 2023 | 1st (2004) | 16th (2011, 2023) | Defunct |
| Guangzhou City | 广州城 | Guangzhou | Yuexiushan Stadium | 18,000 | 2004 to 2010, 2012 to 2022 | 3rd (2014) | 16th (2010) | Defunct |
| Wuhan Yangtze River | 武汉长江 | Wuhan | Wuhan Five Rings Sports Center | 30,000 | 2013, 2019 to 2022 | 6th (2019) | 16th (2013, 2022) | Defunct |
| Hebei | 河北 | Langfang | Langfang Stadium | 30,040 | 2016 to 2022 | 4th (2017) | 18th (2022) | Defunct |
| Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic | 重庆两江竞技 | Chongqing | Chongqing Olympic Sports Center | 58,680 | 2004 to 2006, 2009 to 2010, 2015 to 2021 |
6th (2020) | 16th (2009) | Defunct |
| Qingdao | 青岛 | Qingdao | Conson Stadium | 45,000 | 2020 to 2021 | 14th (2020) | 16th (2021) | Defunct |
| Jiangsu | 江苏 | Nanjing | Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre | 61,443 | 2009 to 2020 | 1st (2020) | 13th (2013) | Defunct |
| Beijing Renhe | 北京人和 | Beijing | Beijing Fengtai Stadium | 31,043 | 2004 to 2015 2018 to 2019 |
3rd (2004) | 16th (2019) | Defunct |
| Tianjin Tianhai | 天津天海 | Tianjin | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium | 60,000 | 2017 to 2019 | 3rd (2017) | 14th (2019) | Defunct |
| Guizhou F.C. | 贵州恒丰 | Guiyang | Guiyang Olympic Sports Center | 51,636 | 2017 to 2018 | 8th (2017) | 16th (2018) | Defunct |
| Liaoning F.C. | 辽宁宏运 | Shenyang | Tiexi New District Sports Center | 30,000 | 2004 to 2008 2010 to 2017 |
3rd (2011) | 16th (2017) | Defunct |
| Yanbian Funde | 延边富德 | Yanji | Yanji Stadium | 30,000 | 2016 to 2017 | 9th (2016) | 15th (2017) | Defunct |
| Shanghai Shenxin | 上海申鑫 | Jinshan | Jinshan Football Stadium | 30,000 | 2010 to 2015 | 7th (2013) | 16th (2015) | Defunct |
| Shaoxing Keqiao Yuejia | 绍兴柯桥越甲 | Shaoxing | China Textile City Sports Center | 20,000 | 2014 | 16th (2014) | Defunct | |
| Dalian Shide | 大连实德 | Dalian | Dalian Jinzhou Stadium | 30,776 | 2004 to 2012 | 1st (2005) | 14th (2008, 2012) | Defunct |
| Chengdu Tiancheng | 成都天诚 | Chengdu | Shuangliu Sports Center | 26,000 | 2008 to 2009, 2011 | 9th (2009) | 15th (2011) | Defunct |
| Wuhan Optics Valley | 武汉光谷 | Wuhan | Wuhan Sports Center | 54,000 | 2005 to 2008 | 5th (2005) | 16th (2008) | Defunct |
| Xiamen Blue Lions | 厦门蓝狮 | Xiamen | Xiamen People's Stadium | 32,000 | 2006 to 2007 | 8th (2006) | 15th (2007) | Defunct |
| Shanghai United | 上海联城 | Shanghai | Yuanshen Sports Centre Stadium | 16,000 | 2005 to 2006 | 7th (2006) | 11th (2005) | Defunct |
| Sichuan First City | 四川冠城 | Chengdu | Chengdu Sports Centre | 39,225 | 2004 to 2005 | 9th (2004, 2005) | Defunct | |
Team Rivalries
The Chinese Super League has several exciting rivalries between teams, often called "derbies." These matches are usually very intense!
- Jing–Hu rivalry
- Beijing Guoan vs Shanghai Shenhua (since 2004)
- Shanghai derby
- Games between teams from Shanghai, like Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port.
- Guangzhou derby
- Guangzhou vs Guangzhou City (2012–2022)
- Dalian derby
- Dalian Shide vs Dalian Aerbin (2012)
- Tianjin derby
- Tianjin Teda vs Tianjin Tianhai (2017–2019)
- Beijing derby
- Beijing Guoan vs Beijing Renhe (2018–2019)
- Wuhan derby
- Wuhan Three Towns vs Wuhan Yangtze River (2022)
- Qingdao derby
- Qingdao Hainiu vs Qingdao West Coast (since 2024)
Players
Player Pay and Transfers
Footballers in the CSL earn good salaries. In 2017, the average salary was over $1 million per year. This made it one of the highest-paying football leagues in the world.
The CSL has two times a year when teams can buy and sell players. These are called transfer windows. One is before the season (January to February), and another is in the middle of the season (June to July).
Teams can have a maximum of 31 players in their squad. This includes 27 Chinese players and 4 foreign players. Only three foreign players can be on the field during a game. This rule helps local Chinese players get more playing time.
The amount of money spent on player transfers in the CSL grew very quickly after 2015. Some foreign players were bought for over €30 million. For example, Oscar joined Shanghai SIPG for €60 million in 2016. The CSL also set a record for selling a player to another league when Paulinho moved to Barcelona for €40 million in 2017.
To control spending, the Chinese Football Association introduced a "transfer tax" in 2017. If a club paid more than a certain amount for a player, they had to pay the same amount to a youth development fund. In 2020, a salary cap was also put in place. This limits how much clubs can spend on player wages each year.
Foreign Player Rules
In the past, many foreign players came from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Now, more players from major European and South American leagues join the CSL.
The league has rules about how many foreign players a team can have. Currently, a team can have up to five foreign players in their squad and use five on the field during a game. This rule helps to develop Chinese players.
| Season | Squad | Match | On-field | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–2000 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2001–2003 | 4 | 4 | 3 | From 2001, foreign goalkeepers were restricted to play in matches. |
| 2004–2006 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2007–2008 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2009–2016 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | "+1" refers to the AFC quota. Teams may add a player from another country within the AFC; examples include Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal. |
| 2017 | 4+1 | 3 | 3 | Teams can use three foreign players at most in a match. |
| 2018–2019.7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | Teams can use three foreign players at most in a match. The number of foreign players on-field in one match must be no more than the number of U-23 domestic players. |
| 2019.7–2019.12 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2020–2023 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
| 2024– | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Top Players
Here are the players with the most goals and most appearances in the Chinese Super League.
Bold denotes players still playing in the CSL. |
Bold denotes players still playing in the CSL. |
Coaches
In the early years, many coaches from China and Serbia found success in the CSL. Now, many coaches from Western Europe and South America also lead CSL clubs. Famous coaches like World Cup winners Marcello Lippi and Luiz Felipe Scolari have coached in the league.
| Head coach | Club | Wins | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcello Lippi |
Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 3 | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
 Luiz Felipe Scolari |
Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 2015, 2016, 2017 | |
| Ljubiša Tumbaković |
Shandong Luneng Taishan | 2 | 2006, 2008 |
| Zhu Guanghu |
Shenzhen Jianlibao | 1 | 2004 |
| Vladimir Petrović |
Dalian Shide | 2005 | |
| Gao Hongbo |
Changchun Yatai | 2007 | |
| Hong Yuanshuo |
Beijing Guoan | 2009 | |
 Branko Ivanković |
Shandong Luneng Taishan | 2010 | |
| Lee Jang-soo |
Guangzhou Evergrande | 2011 | |
| Vítor Pereira |
Shanghai SIPG | 2018 | |
| Fabio Cannavaro |
Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 2019 | |
 Cosmin Olăroiu |
Jiangsu Suning | 2020 | |
| Hao Wei |
Shandong Taishan | 2021 | |
| Pedro Morilla |
Wuhan Three Towns | 2022 | |
| Javier Pereira |
Shanghai Port | 2023 | |
| Kevin Muscat |
Shanghai Port | 2024 |
Fan Attendance
The Chinese Super League has the highest average attendance of any football league in Asia. This shows how popular football is in China.
Season Averages
| Season | Total attendance | Games | Average | Change | High avg. | Team | No. Of Clubs | Relegation Slots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1,430,600 | 132 | 10,838 | -63.4% | 23,636 | Shandong Luneng Taishan | 12 | - |
| 2005 | 1,871,700 | 182 | 10,284 | -5.4% | 26,000 | Shandong Luneng Taishan | 14 | - |
| 2006 | 2,228,300 | 210 | 10,611 | +3.2% | 30,679 | Shandong Luneng Taishan | 15 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3,173,500 | 210 | 15,112 | +42.4% | 24,643 | Shanxi Chanba | 15 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3,065,280 | 228 | 13,444 | -12.4% | 26,501 | Shandong Luneng Taishan | 16 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3,854,115 | 240 | 16,059 | +19.5% | 36,805 | Beijing Guoan | 16 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3,499,304 | 240 | 14,581 | -9.2% | 33,342 | Beijing Guoan | 16 | 2 |
| 2011 | 4,236,322 | 240 | 17,651 | +21.1% | 45,666 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 16 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4,497,578 | 240 | 18,740 | +6.2% | 37,250 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 16 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4,456,977 | 240 | 18,571 | -0.9% | 40,428 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 16 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4,556,520 | 240 | 18,986 | +2.2% | 42,154 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 16 | 2 |
| 2015 | 5,326,304 | 240 | 22,193 | +16.8% | 45,889 | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 16 | 2 |
| 2016 | 5,798,135 | 240 | 24,159 | +8.8% | 44,883 | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 16 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5,703,871 | 240 | 23,766 | −1.6% | 45,587 | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 16 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5,785,766 | 240 | 24,107 | +1.4% | 47,002 | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 16 | 2 |
| 2019 | 5,595,368 | 240 | 23,341 | −3.1% | 45,795 | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 16 | 2 |
| 2020 | 91,205 | 160 | 570 | −97.6% | 16 | 2 | ||
| 2021 | 198,418 | 176 | 1,127 | +97.7% | 16 | 2 | ||
| 2022 | 287,911 | 306-8 | 966 | −14.3% | 18 | 3 | ||
| 2023 | 4,767,836 | 240 | 19,866 | +19.56% | 43,769 | Beijing Guoan | 16 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4,663,507 | 240 | 19,431 | −2.2% | 46,444 | Beijing Guoan | 16 | 2 |
Highest Game Attendance
Some individual games have drawn huge crowds. Here are the top 10 highest attendance records for a single CSL match.
| Rank | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance | Stadium | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jiangsu Sainty | 1–1 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 65,769 | Nanjing Olympic Stadium | 20 Oct 2012 |
| 2 | Jiangsu Sainty | 1–2 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 58,792 | Nanjing Olympic Stadium | 14 Jul 2013 |
| 3 | Beijing Sinobo Guoan | 1–3 | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 57,056 | Worker's Stadium | 11 Aug 2019 |
| 4 | Beijing Sinobo Guoan | 1–1 | Shandong Luneng Taishan | 56,544 | Worker's Stadium | 5 Aug 2018 |
| 5 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 1–0 | Guangzhou R&F | 56,300 | Tianhe Stadium | 25 Aug 2013 |
| 6 | Beijing Sinobo Guoan | 2–2 | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 56,211 | Worker's Stadium | 22 Apr 2018 |
| 7 | Beijing Guoan | 4–0 | Hangzhou Greentown | 54,116 | Worker's Stadium | 31 Oct 2009 |
| 8 | Beijing Sinobo Guoan | 2–0 | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 54,018 | Worker's Stadium | 10 Jul 2017 |
| 9 | Beijing Sinobo Guoan | 2–2 | Shandong Luneng Taishan | 53,906 | Worker's Stadium | 5 Aug 2017 |
| 10 | Beijing Guoan | 2–2 | Shanghai Port | 53,898 | Worker's Stadium | 5 Apr 2024 |
Awards
The Chinese Super League gives out awards each year to clubs, players, coaches, and referees for their great performance.
The Fire-god Trophy
The official trophy for the CSL champions is called the Fire-god trophy. It was created in 2004. The trophy is made of pure gold and has a special base made of jade. The bottom part looks like a Great Wall beacon tower. On top, there's a football wrapped by the Earth. The base has the names of all the CSL winners since 2004. The trophy is very heavy, weighing about 5.5 kilograms (12 pounds), and is 52 centimeters (20 inches) tall.
Winning clubs get a replica of the trophy to keep. They can hold the real trophy for one year.
Player of the Year
This award is also known as the "Most Valuable Player" award.
| Year | Footballer | Club | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Zhao Junzhe | Liaoning Zhongyu | China |
| 2005 | Branko Jelić | Beijing Guoan | Serbia |
| 2006 | Zheng Zhi | Shandong Luneng Taishan | China |
| 2007 | Du Zhenyu | Changchun Yatai | |
| 2008 | Emil Martínez | Shanghai Shenhua |  Honduras |
| 2009 | Samuel Caballero | Changchun Yatai | |
| 2010 | Duvier Riascos | Shanghai Shenhua |  Colombia |
| 2011 | Muriqui | Guangzhou Evergrande | Brazil |
| 2012 | Cristian Dănălache | Jiangsu Sainty | Romania |
| 2013 | Darío Conca | Guangzhou Evergrande |  Argentina |
| 2014 | Elkeson | Brazil |
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| 2015 | Ricardo Goulart | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | |
| 2016 | |||
| 2017 | Eran Zahavi | Guangzhou R&F |  Israel |
| 2018 | Wu Lei | Shanghai SIPG | China |
| 2019 | Paulinho | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | Brazil |
| 2023 | Wu Lei | Shanghai Port | China |
Golden Boot Award
This award goes to the player who scores the most goals in the league each year.
| Year | Top scorer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 |  Kwame Ayew |
Inter Shanghai | 17 |
| 2005 | Branko Jelić |
Beijing Guoan | 21 |
| 2006 | Li Jinyu |
Shandong Luneng Taishan | 26 |
| 2007 | 15 | ||
| 2008 | Éber Luís |
Tianjin Teda | 14 |
| 2009 | Hernán Barcos Luis Ramírez |
Shenzhen Asia Travel / Shanghai Shenhua Guangzhou GPC |
17 |
| 2010 | Duvier Riascos |
Shanghai Shenhua | 20 |
| 2011 | Muriqui |
Guangzhou Evergrande | 16 |
| 2012 | Cristian Dănălache |
Jiangsu Sainty | 23 |
| 2013 | Elkeson |
Guangzhou Evergrande | 24 |
| 2014 | 28 | ||
| 2015 | Aloísio |
Shandong Luneng Taishan | 22 |
| 2016 | Ricardo Goulart |
Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 19 |
| 2017 | Eran Zahavi |
Guangzhou R&F | 27 |
| 2018 | Wu Lei |
Shanghai SIPG | 27 |
| 2019 | Eran Zahavi |
Guangzhou R&F | 29 |
| 2020 |  Cédric Bakambu |
Beijing Guoan | 14 |
| 2021 | Júnior Negrão |
Changchun Yatai | 14 |
| 2022 | Marcão |
Wuhan Three Towns | 27 |
| 2023 | Leonardo |
Changchun Yatai and Zhejiang | 19 |
| 2024 | Wu Lei |
Shanghai SIPG | 34 |
There is also an award for the top Chinese goalscorer each season, which started in 2011.
| Year | Top scorer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Yu Hanchao | Liaoning FC | 12 |
| 2012 | Wang Yongpo | Shandong Luneng Taishan | 10 |
| 2013 | Wu Lei | Shanghai East Asia | 15 |
| 2014 | 12 | ||
| 2015 | Shanghai SIPG | 14 | |
| 2016 | 14 | ||
| 2017 | 20 | ||
| 2018 | 27 | ||
| 2019 | Wei Shihao | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | 11 |
| 2020 | 8 | ||
| 2021 | Guo Tianyu | Shandong Taishan | 10 |
| 2022 | Zhang Yuning | Beijing Guoan | 19 |
| 2023 | Wu Lei | Shanghai Port | 18 |
Manager of the Year
| Year | Manager | Club | Standings | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Zhu Guanghu | Shenzhen Jianlibao | Chinese Super League champions | China |
| 2005 | Vladimir Petrović | Dalian Shide | Chinese Super League champions; Chinese FA Cup winners | Serbia |
| 2006 | Ljubiša Tumbaković | Shandong Luneng Taishan | Chinese Super League champions; Chinese FA Cup winners | Serbia |
| 2007 | Gao Hongbo | Changchun Yatai | Chinese Super League champions | China |
| 2008 | Ljubiša Tumbaković | Shandong Luneng Taishan | Chinese Super League champions | Serbia |
| 2009 | Tang Yaodong | Henan Jianye | Chinese Super League third place | China |
| 2010 | Branko Ivanković | Shandong Luneng Taishan | Chinese Super League champions | Croatia |
| 2011 | Ma Lin | Liaoning Whowin | Chinese Super League third place | China |
| 2012 | Dragan Okuka | Jiangsu Sainty | Chinese Super League runners-up | Serbia |
| 2013 | Marcello Lippi | Guangzhou Evergrande | Chinese Super League champions; AFC Champions League winners | Italy |
| 2014 | Gregorio Manzano | Beijing Guoan | Chinese Super League runners-up | Spain |
| 2015 | Luiz Felipe Scolari | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | Chinese Super League champions; AFC Champions League winners | Brazil |
| 2016 | Luiz Felipe Scolari | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao | Chinese Super League champions; Chinese FA Cup winners | Brazil |
| 2017 | Fabio Cannavaro | Tianjin Quanjian | Chinese Super League 3rd place | Italy |
| 2018 | Li Xiaopeng | Shandong Luneng Taishan | Chinese Super League 3rd place | China |
| 2019 | Li Xiaopeng | Shandong Luneng Taishan | Chinese Super League 3rd place | China |
| 2023 | Choi Kang-hee | Shandong Taishan | Chinese Super League 2nd place | South Korea |
Youth Player of the Year
This award is given to the best young player in the league.
| Year | Footballer | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Chen Tao | Shenyang Ginde | |
| 2005 | Hao Junmin | Tianjin Teda | |
| 2006 | Wang Dalei | Shanghai Liancheng | |
| 2007 | Hao Junmin | Tianjin Teda | |
| 2008 | Huang Bowen | Beijing Guoan | |
| 2009 | Deng Zhuoxiang | Jiangsu Sainty | |
| 2010 | Zheng Zheng | Shandong Luneng Taishan | |
| 2011 | Song Wenjie | Qingdao Jonoon | |
| 2012 | Zhang Xizhe | Beijing Guoan | |
| 2013 | Jin Jingdao | Shandong Luneng Taishan | |
| 2014 | Liu Binbin | Shandong Luneng Taishan | |
| 2015 | Vacancy | ||
| 2016 | Li Xiaoming | Henan Jianye | |
| 2017 | Hu Jinghang | Henan Jianye | |
| 2018 | Huang Zichang | Jiangsu Suning | |
| 2019 | Zhu Chenjie | Shanghai Greenland Shenhua | |
| 2023 | Shahsat Hujahmat | Shenzhen | |
There is also an award for the U-23 player of the year, which started in 2017.
| Year | Footballer | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Huang Zhengyu | Guangzhou R&F |
Goalkeeper of the Year
| Year | Footballer | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Deng Xiaofei | Jiangsu Sainty |
| 2013 | Zeng Cheng | Guangzhou Evergrande |
| 2014 | Wang Dalei | Shandong Luneng Taishan |
| 2015 | Zeng Cheng | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao |
| 2016 | ||
| 2017 | Yan Junling | Shanghai SIPG |
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | ||
| 2023 | Wang Dalei | Shandong Taishan |
Sponsors
Main Sponsor
The main sponsor of the Chinese Super League is currently China Resources Beverage, since 2024.
| Season | Sponsor | Annual value | Official league name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Siemens Mobile | €8 million | Siemens Mobile Chinese Super League |
| 2005 | No sponsor | Chinese Football Association Super League | |
| 2006 | IPhox | €6 million | Iphox Chinese Super League |
| 2007 | Kingway Beer | ¥36 million | Kingway Beer Chinese Super League |
| 2008 | ¥38 million | Kingway Beer Chinese Super League | |
| 2009 | Pirelli | €5 million | Pirelli Chinese Super League |
| 2010 | €5 million | Pirelli Chinese Super League | |
| 2011 | Wanda Plaza | ¥65 million | Wanda Plaza Chinese Super League |
| 2012 | ¥65 million | Wanda Plaza Chinese Super League | |
| 2013 | ¥65 million | Wanda Plaza Chinese Super League | |
| 2014 | Ping An Insurance | ¥150 million | Ping An Chinese Super League |
| 2015 | ¥165 million | Ping An Chinese Super League | |
| 2016 | ¥181.5 million | Ping An Chinese Super League | |
| 2017 | ¥199.65 million | Ping An Chinese Super League | |
| 2018 | ¥200 million | Ping An Chinese Super League | |
| 2019 | Ping An Chinese Super League | ||
| 2020 | Ping An Chinese Super League | ||
| 2021 | Ping An Chinese Super League | ||
| 2022 | Ping An Chinese Super League | ||
| 2023 | Ping An Chinese Super League | ||
| 2024 | China Resources Beverage | China Resources C'estbon Chinese Super League | |
| 2025 | China Resources Beverage Chinese Super League |
Other Partners
The CSL also has other official partners and suppliers. For example, Nike has been the official equipment supplier since 2005.
| Company | Duration |
|---|---|
| Nike | 2020–2029 |
| Lenovo | 2025– |
| Tsingtao | 2025– |
| China Mobile (Migu) | 2024– |
| China Resources Beverage | 2023– |
| Chevron | 2023– |
| Guoquan | 2023– |
| EA Sports | 2018– |
| Mengniu Dairy | 2020–2022 |
| SAIC Motor | 2018–2022 |
| Fengkuang.cn | 2017–2022 |
| Tsingtao Laoshan Beer | 2017–2022 |
| Ganten | 2017–2022 |
| DHL | 2014–2022 |
| Tmall | 2018–2020 |
| Absen LED | 2017–2020 |
| Eastroc Super Drink | 2018–2019 |
| ImagineChina | 2017–2019 |
| TAG Heuer | 2016–2019 |
| Shell | 2014–2019 |
| JD.com | 2010, 2013–2017 |
| Red Bull | 2015–2017 |
| Ford | 2014–2017 |
| Yanghe | 2017 |
| Ledman Solar | 2011–2016 |
| Carlsberg | 2013–2016 |
| Samsung | 2013–2014 |
| Huiyuan Juice | 2014 |
| China Auto Rental | 2013 |
| SDLG | 2011–2013 |
| Harbin Beer | 2011–2012 |
| Shinery Motor | 2009–2010 |
| Frestech | 2010 |
| Canon | 2004–2008 |
| CP-Freda | 2004–2006 |
| Hengyuanxiang | 2004–2006 |
| Hyundai Motors | 2004–2005 |
Media Coverage
In China
The first company to broadcast the CSL was Shanghai Media Group (SMG) in 2003. Later, CCTV started broadcasting the games.
Since 2016, the CSL sells its TV rights as a whole package. This means the money is shared among the clubs. Most of the money is divided equally, which helps all clubs.
China Sports Media Co., Ltd. (CSM) currently holds the rights to broadcast the CSL in China. They bought the rights for many years, showing how valuable the league is.
Around the World
Outside of China, IMG holds the global rights to the Chinese Super League. This means the CSL is broadcast in many countries around the world, letting fans everywhere watch the games.
| Country/Region | Network |
|---|---|
| Australia |
SBS |
 Austria |
DAZN |
 Germany |
|
| Italy |
OneFootball |
 Switzerland |
DAZN |
Balkan countries
|
SportKlub |
| Brazil |
ESPN |
 United States |
|
| Latin America | |
 Canada |
OneSoccer |
Eurasia countries
|
Setanta Sports Eurasia |
 Georgia |
Silknet |
 Hong Kong |
TVB |
 India |
FanCode |
| Israel |
Sport 1 |
 Macau |
TDM |
 Philippines |
Tap Sports |
 Poland |
Polsat Sport |
| Portugal |
Sport TV |
 Singapore |
Singtel |
| Spain |
GOL PLAY |
Sub-Saharan Africa
|
StarTimes |
 Turkey |
S Sport |
- other matches also available on Sportdigital
Youth Football Development
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) wants all CSL clubs to have strong youth development programs. Clubs must have their own training centers and coaches for young players. They also need to invest a certain amount of their budget into these youth programs.
CSL clubs are required to have five youth teams for different age groups, from U13 to U19. They also work with local football groups and schools to help more kids play football.
In 2017, the youth league system was renamed the Youth Super League. It includes youth teams from professional clubs and football academies across China. These youth leagues also have promotion and relegation, just like the main CSL.
See also
In Spanish: Superliga de China para niños
