Persian Gulf Pro League facts for kids
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| Organising body | Football League Organization |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1970 as Local League 2001 as Pro League |
| Country | Iran |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 16 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Azadegan League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Hazfi Cup Iranian Super Cup |
| International cup(s) | AFC Champions League Elite AFC Champions League Two |
| Current champions | Tractor (1st title) (2024–25) |
| Most championships | Persepolis (16 titles) |
| Most appearances | Jalal Hosseini (494) |
| Top goalscorer | Reza Enayati (149 goals) |
| TV partners |
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| Website | IranLeague.ir |
The Persian Gulf Pro League is a top professional association football league in Iran. It is the highest level of football in the Iranian football league system. The league is managed by the FFIRI and has 16 teams.
Teams play 30 matches each season. The team that finishes first becomes the Iranian football champion. The two teams at the bottom of the league move down to the Azadegan League, which is the next level down.
Since 2013, the league has had 16 teams. The winner of the Persian Gulf Pro League and the Hazfi Cup champion get to play in the AFC Champions League Elite. The team that finishes third in the league also gets a chance to play in the AFC Champions League Elite through a play-off round.
Contents
History of the League
Around the year 2000, the Iranian Football Federation decided to create a new professional football league. In 2001, the Iran Pro League was started. It became the top football league in Iran. The Azadegan League then became the second-highest league. The Iran Pro League had 14 clubs until the 2003–04 season.
| Season | Champions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Persepolis | Esteghlal |
| 2002–03 | Sepahan | PAS Tehran |
| 2003–04 | PAS Tehran | Esteghlal |
| 2004–05 | Foolad | Zob Ahan |
| 2005–06 | Esteghlal | PAS Tehran |
| 2006–07 | Saipa | Esteghlal Ahvaz |
| 2007–08 | Persepolis | Sepahan |
| 2008–09 | Esteghlal | Zob Ahan |
| 2009–10 | Sepahan | |
| 2010–11 | Esteghlal | |
| 2011–12 | Tractor | |
| 2012–13 | Esteghlal | |
| 2013–14 | Foolad | Persepolis |
| 2014–15 | Sepahan | Tractor |
| 2015–16 | Esteghlal Khuzestan | Persepolis |
| 2016–17 | Persepolis | Esteghlal |
| 2017–18 | Zob Ahan | |
| 2018–19 | Sepahan | |
| 2019–20 | Esteghlal | |
| 2020–21 | Sepahan | |
| 2021–22 | Esteghlal | Persepolis |
| 2022–23 | Persepolis | Sepahan |
| 2023–24 | Esteghlal | |
| 2024–25 | Tractor | Sepahan |
The first team to win the Iran Pro League was Persepolis in 2002. They won by just one point on the last day of the season. Two teams, Esteghlal Rasht and Tractor, were moved down to the Azadegan League that year. It took Tractor eight years to return to the top division.
In the 2003–04 season, PAS Tehran became the Iranian football champion. This was their last championship before their professional team was closed down in 2007.
In 2004, the number of teams in the league grew from 14 to 16. Foolad from Ahvaz became the first champion from the Khuzestan Province. In the 2005–06 Iran Pro League season, Esteghlal won their first championship since 2001.
Persian Gulf Cup Era
On August 12, 2006, the Iranian Football Federation changed the league's name to Persian Gulf Cup (PGC). This was done to highlight the name of the Persian Gulf. A new logo for the league was also chosen and revealed in November 2006.
Saipa won the 2006–07 Persian Gulf Cup. Until 2007, six different teams had won the league title. A player from Nigeria, Daniel Olerum, became the league's top goal scorer with 17 goals. Foolad, who had won the league two seasons before, was moved down to the Azadegan League.
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Before the 2007–08 season, the number of teams increased from 16 to 18. The professional team of PAS Tehran was also closed. A new club called PAS Hamedan was started in Hamadan instead. In 2008, Saba Battery moved from Tehran to Qom and became Saba Qom.
The championship of the 2007–08 season was decided on the very last day. Persepolis beat Sepahan to win. The next season, 2008–09, was mostly about Esteghlal and two surprising teams, Zob Ahan and Mes Kerman.
The 2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup was dominated by two clubs from Isfahan: Sepahan and Zob Ahan. Sepahan won the league that year. Sepahan also won the next two seasons, 2010–11 and 2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup. Esteghlal won the 2012–13 Persian Gulf Cup, making it their eighth Iranian championship.
The league was reduced from 18 to 16 teams before the next season began. Foolad won the 2013–14 Persian Gulf Cup. They secured their championship after beating Gostaresh Foulad away from home.
Persian Gulf Pro League Name Change
In 2014, the league changed its name again, from Persian Gulf Cup to Persian Gulf Pro League. The Iranian Football Federation also updated the logos for both the Persian Gulf Pro League and the Azadegan League.
The 2014–15 Persian Gulf Pro League season had a close championship race between Sepahan, Tractor, and Naft Tehran. Sepahan won their title with a 2–0 victory over Saipa.
The 2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League was also decided on the final matchday. Esteghlal Khuzestan won the league. Persepolis then dominated the next season, winning the 2016–17 Persian Gulf Pro League. Persepolis continued their success, winning the title three times in a row.
How the League Works
The number of teams in the league has changed over time. Since 2013, there have been 16 teams. A season runs from July to May. Each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away. This means each team plays a total of 30 games.
Teams get three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. Teams are ranked by their total points. If points are tied, goal difference is used, then goals scored, and then their head-to-head record.
At the end of the season, the team with the most points becomes the Iranian champion. The champions, the second-place team, and the Hazfi Cup winners all get to play in the group stage of the AFC Champions League. The third-place team enters the AFC Champions League in a play-off round. The two teams with the fewest points are moved down to the Azadegan League. All teams in the Persian Gulf Pro League can also play in the Hazfi Cup.
| Number of teams | Period |
|---|---|
| 14 | 2001–02 until 2003–04 |
| 16 | 2004–05 until 2006–07, since 2013–14 |
| 18 | 2007–08 until 2012–13 |
League Logo
Clubs (2024–25)
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Arak | Imam Khomeini | 12,500 |
| Chadormalu | Yazd | Shahid Nasiri | 15,000 |
| Esteghlal | Tehran | Azadi | 78,116 |
| Esteghlal Khuzestan | Ahvaz | Ghadir | 38,900 |
| Foolad | Foolad Arena | 30,655 | |
| Gol Gohar Sirjan | Sirjan | Qassem Soleimani | 8,000 |
| Havadar | Tehran | Shahid Dastgerdi | 8,250 |
| Kheybar | Khorramabad | Takhti | 10,000 |
| Malavan | Bandar-e Anzali | Sirous Ghayeghran | 9,000 |
| Mes Rafsanjan | Rafsanjan | Shohadaye Mes | 10,000 |
| Nassaji Mazandaran | Ghaemshahr | Vatani | 27,700 |
| Persepolis | Tehran | Azadi | 78,116 |
| Sepahan | Isfahan | Naghsh-e-Jahan | 75,000 |
| Shams Azar | Qazvin | Sardar Azadegan | 15,000 |
| Tractor | Tabriz | Yadegar-e Emam | 66,833 |
| Zob Ahan | Fooladshahr | Fooladshahr | 20,000 |
League Champions
Persian Gulf Pro League Winners
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persepolis |
|
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2001–02, 2007–08, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
| Sepahan |
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2002–03, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15 |
| Esteghlal |
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2005–06, 2008–09, 2012–13, 2021–22 |
| Foolad |
|
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2004–05, 2013–14 |
| Tractor |
|
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2024–25 |
| PAS Tehran |
|
2003–04 | |
| Saipa |
|
2006–07 | |
| Esteghlal Khuzestan | 2015–16 | ||
| Zob Ahan |
|
|
– |
| Esteghlal Ahvaz |
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Total League Champions (All Eras)
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
Persepolis |
|
|
1971–72, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2007–08, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
| Esteghlal |
|
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1970–71, 1974–75, 1989–90, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2012–13, 2021–22 |
| PAS Tehran |
|
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1976–77, 1977–78, 1991–92, 1992–93, 2003–04 |
| Sepahan | 2002–03, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15 | ||
| Saipa |
|
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1993–94, 1994–95, 2006–07 |
| Foolad |
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2004–05, 2013–14 | |
| Tractor |
|
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2024–25 |
| Esteghlal Khuzestan |
|
2015–16 | |
| Zob Ahan |
|
|
– |
| Bahman |
|
||
| Homa |
|
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| Esteghlal Ahvaz |
All-Time League Table
This table shows how teams have performed in the Persian Gulf Pro League since it started.
| Pos. | Club | Seasons | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA | Goal Difference | Points | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | T4 | T7 | Debut | Since/Last App. | Relegated | Best Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Persepolis | 24 | 732 | 370 | 222 | 140 | 1046 | 637 | +409 | 1332 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 18 | 21 | 2001–02 | 2001–02 | — | 1st |
| 2 | Esteghlal | 364 | 235 | 133 | 1065 | 635 | +430 | 1327 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 19 | — | 1st | |||||
| 3 | Sepahan | 344 | 234 | 154 | 1072 | 662 | +410 | 1266 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 20 | — | 1st | |||||
| 4 | Zob Ahan | 269 | 251 | 212 | 849 | 738 | +111 | 1058 | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 17 | — | 2nd | |||||
| 5 | Foolad | 23 | 698 | 263 | 239 | 196 | 775 | 696 | +79 | 1028 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 2008–09 | 1 | 1st | |
| 6 | Tractor | 17 | 522 | 228 | 163 | 131 | 689 | 504 | +185 | 847 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 14 | 2009-10 | 1 | 1st | |
| 7 | Saipa | 20 | 612 | 186 | 217 | 209 | 660 | 701 | −41 | 775 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2020–21 | 1 | 1st | ||||
| 8 | Paykan | 19 | 578 | 162 | 188 | 228 | 572 | 694 | −122 | 647 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 5 | — | 8 | 2016–17 | 4 | 5th | |
| 9 | Malavan | 17 | 526 | 146 | 177 | 203 | 488 | 601 | −113 | 615 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 5 | 2022–23 | 2 | 6th | ||
| 10 | Saba Qom/Saba Battery | 13 | 414 | 128 | 159 | 127 | 468 | 459 | +9 | 543 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 6 | 2004–05 | 2016–17 | 1 | 3rd | |
| 11 | Rah Ahan | 11 | 354 | 119 | 114 | 121 | 432 | 422 | 10 | 471 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2005–06 | 2015–16 | 1 | 8th |
| 12 | Fajr Sepasi | 13 | 398 | 103 | 146 | 149 | 357 | 434 | −77 | 455 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2001–02 | 2021–22 | 2 | 4th |
| 13 | Sanat Naft | 12 | 372 | 102 | 114 | 156 | 371 | 478 | −107 | 420 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2002–03 | 2016–17 | 3 | 7th | |
| 14 | Mes Kerman | 9 | 294 | 89 | 109 | 96 | 332 | 329 | +3 | 376 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2006–07 | 2022–23 | 1 | 3rd | |
| 15 | Naft Tehran | 8 | 252 | 91 | 88 | 73 | 286 | 258 | +28 | 361 | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 5 | 2010–11 | 2017–18 | 3rd | |
| 16 | Aboomoslem | 9 | 270 | 83 | 90 | 97 | 296 | 304 | −8 | 339 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 2001–02 | 2009–10 | 4th | |
| 17 | Esteghlal Ahvaz | 274 | 80 | 78 | 116 | 327 | 402 | −75 | 318 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2002–03 | 2015–16 | 2 | 2nd | ||
| 18 | Shahr Khodro | 8 | 240 | 74 | 80 | 86 | 218 | 245 | −27 | 302 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 2014–15 | 2021–22 | 1 | 4th | ||
| 19 | PAS Tehran | 6 | 168 | 72 | 59 | 37 | 263 | 181 | +82 | 275 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 2001–02 | 2006–07 | — | 1st | ||
| 20 | Esteghlal Khuzestan | 8 | 240 | 57 | 91 | 92 | 224 | 292 | −68 | 262 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2013–14 | 2023–24 | 1 | 1st |
| 21 | Bargh Shiraz | 236 | 60 | 78 | 98 | 252 | 335 | −83 | 258 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2001–02 | 2008–09 | 1 | 7th | ||
| 22 | Gol Gohar | 6 | 180 | 65 | 62 | 53 | 189 | 174 | +15 | 257 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 2019–20 | 2019–20 | — | 4th |
| 23 | Damash/Pegah/Esteghlal Rasht | 8 | 248 | 56 | 81 | 111 | 227 | 344 | −117 | 249 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2001–02 | 2013–14 | 4 | 7th |
| 24 | Nassaji | 7 | 210 | 45 | 83 | 82 | 178 | 238 | −60 | 218 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2018–19 | 2018–19 | 1 | 9th |
| 25 | Mes Rafsanjan | 5 | 150 | 47 | 52 | 51 | 148 | 149 | −1 | 193 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2020–21 | 2020–21 | — | 5th |
| 26 | Aluminium Arak | 150 | 40 | 68 | 42 | 122 | 135 | −13 | 188 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2020–21 | 2020–21 | — | 7th | |
| 27 | Gostaresh Foolad | 150 | 39 | 60 | 51 | 147 | 161 | −14 | 177 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2013–14 | 2017–18 | — | 8th | |
| 28 | PAS Hamedan | 4 | 136 | 38 | 48 | 50 | 143 | 165 | −22 | 162 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2007–08 | 2010–11 | 1 | 5th |
| 29 | Naft Masjed Soleyman | 6 | 180 | 27 | 75 | 78 | 116 | 216 | −100 | 156 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2014–15 | 2022–23 | 2 | 8th |
| 30 | Shahin Bushehr | 4 | 132 | 27 | 48 | 57 | 124 | 175 | −51 | 129 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2009–10 | 2019–20 | 2 | 13th |
| 31 | Havadar | 120 | 25 | 43 | 52 | 90 | 155 | −65 | 118 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2021–22 | 2021–22 | 1 | 11th | |
| 32 | Pars Jonoubi Jam | 3 | 90 | 22 | 38 | 30 | 82 | 87 | −5 | 104 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2017–18 | 2019–20 | 1 | 5th |
| 33 | Machine Sazi | 4 | 120 | 17 | 39 | 64 | 84 | 163 | −79 | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2016–17 | 2020–21 | 2 | 11th |
| 34 | Steel Azin | 2 | 68 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 85 | 112 | −27 | 80 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2009–10 | 2010–11 | 1 | 5th |
| 35 | Shamoushak | 3 | 86 | 16 | 26 | 44 | 66 | 118 | −52 | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2003–04 | 2005–06 | 14th | |
| 36 | Siah Jamegan | 90 | 15 | 27 | 48 | 64 | 117 | −53 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2015–16 | 2017–18 | 13th | ||
| 37 | Shahrdari Tabriz | 2 | 68 | 14 | 29 | 25 | 79 | 98 | −19 | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2010–11 | 2011–12 | 12th | |
| 38 | Sepidrood | 60 | 11 | 17 | 32 | 48 | 92 | −44 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2017–18 | 2018–19 | 13th | ||
| 39 | Shams Azar | 60 | 18 | 17 | 25 | 58 | 76 | −18 | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2023–24 | 2023–24 | — | 8th | |
| 40 | Aluminium Hormozgan | 1 | 34 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 26 | 40 | −14 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2012–13 | 2012–13 | 1 | 15th |
| 41 | Payam | 34 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 33 | 52 | −19 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2008–09 | 2008–09 | 1 | 16th | |
| 41 | Chadormalou | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 28 | −6 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2008–09 | 2008–09 | — | 10th | |
| 42 | Kheybar | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 24 | 31 | −7 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2008–09 | 2008–09 | — | 11th | |
| 43 | Mes Sarcheshmeh | 34 | 5 | 9 | 20 | 23 | 54 | −31 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2011–12 | 2011–12 | 1 | 18th | |
| 44 | Shirin Faraz | 34 | 3 | 12 | 19 | 25 | 59 | −34 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2007–08 | 2007–08 | |||
| 45 | Shahid Ghandi | 30 | 4 | 7 | 19 | 21 | 43 | −22 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2005–06 | 2005–06 | 16th | ||
| 46 | Gahar Zagros | 34 | 3 | 10 | 21 | 24 | 59 | −35 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2012–13 | 2012–13 | 18th |
| 2025–26 Persian Gulf Pro League | |
| 2025–26 Azadegan League | |
| Lower leagues | |
| Defunct teams | |
| Founding members |
Source: iplstats.com
Notes:
Only league matches; play-offs are not included in the all-time table.
Attendances
Average League Attendances
This table shows how many people, on average, came to watch the games each season.
| Season | Average | Highest attended club | Club average | Lowest attended club | Club average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | 9,179 | Esteghlal | 33,467 | Shamoushak Noshahr | 3,542 |
| 2006–07 | 10,119 | 35,000 | Rah Ahan | 4,073 | |
| 2007–08 | 11,235 | Persepolis | 60,000 | 2,647 | |
| 2008–09 | 8,954 | 40,688 | PAS Hamedan | 3,706 | |
| 2009–10 | 12,298 | Tractor | 57,647 | Paykan | 2,313 |
| 2010–11 | 9,383 | 42,000 | 1,941 | ||
| 2011–12 | 9,488 | 39,533 | Mes Sarcheshmeh | 1,706 | |
| 2012–13 | 7,964 | Esteghlal | 34,250 | Rah Ahan | 1,942 |
| 2013–14 | 7,631 | Persepolis | 29,467 | 1,664 | |
| 2014–15 | 6,921 | Tractor | 27,488 | Saba Qom | 1,365 |
| 2015–16 | 8,048 | Persepolis | 47,036 | Naft Tehran | 1,594 |
| 2016–17 | 8,086 | 48,567 | Gostaresh Foulad | 1,018 | |
| 2017–18 | 9,060 | 39,786 | 817 | ||
| 2018–19 | 12,212 | Tractor | 46,963 | Esteghlal Khuzestan | 1,507 |
| 2019–20 | 8,629 | Persepolis | 27,556 | Machine Sazi | 840 |
| 2020–21 | No spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| 2021–22 | 10,572 | Esteghlal | 37,400 | Paykan | 100 |
| 2022–23 | 9,515 | Tractor | 33,375 | Havadar | 157 |
| 2023–24 | 10,824 | Esteghlal | 34,150 | 200 | |
| 2024–25 | 8,733 | Tractor | 44,071 | 1,400 | |
Notes:
Matches with spectator bans are not included in average attendances.
The official game reports can be found under the match schedule on iranleague.ir. The viewer numbers are noted in these. This results in average attendance.
Highest Attended Season Matches
This table shows the matches that had the most fans in the stadium each season.
| Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance | Date | Week | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Esteghlal | 4–1 | Bargh Shiraz | 100,000 | 21 April 2006 | 30 | Azadi |
| 2006–07 | Persepolis | 2–1 | Esteghlal | 95,000 | 3 November 2006 | 8 | |
| 2007–08 | Sepahan | 1–1 | Persepolis | 110,000 | 17 May 2008 | 34 | |
| 2008–09 | 2–0 | Damash | 90,000 | 25 September 2008 | 8 | ||
| 1–1 | Esteghlal | 3 October 2008 | 9 | ||||
| Esteghlal | Persepolis | 13 February 2009 | 26 | ||||
| 2009–10 | Tractor | 0–0 | Moghavemat | 95,000 | 22 January 2010 | 24 | Sahand |
| 2010–11 | Esteghlal | 1–0 | Persepolis | 100,000 | 15 October 2010 | 11 | Azadi |
| 2011–12 | Persepolis | 0–2 | Esteghlal | 16 September 2011 | 7 | ||
| 2012–13 | Esteghlal | 0–0 | Persepolis | 25 January 2013 | 23 | ||
| 1–2 | Damash | 10 May 2013 | 34 | ||||
| 2013–14 | 0–0 | Persepolis | 100,000 | 6 September 2013 | 8 | ||
| 2014–15 | Tractor | 3–3 | Naft Tehran | 80,000 | 15 May 2015 | 30 | Sahand |
| 2015–16 | Persepolis | 4–2 | Esteghlal | 100,000 | 15 April 2016 | 26 | Azadi |
| 2016–17 | 4–0 | Shahr Khodro | 80,000 | 19 April 2017 | 28 | ||
| 2017–18 | Esteghlal | 1–0 | Persepolis | 100,000 | 1 March 2018 | 25 | |
| 2018–19 | Persepolis | 0–0 | Sepahan | 90,000 | 26 April 2019 | 27 | |
| 2019–20 | Tractor | 2–4 | Esteghlal | 80,000 | 1 November 2019 | 9 | Sahand |
| 2020–21 | No spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||
| 2021–22 | Esteghlal | 0–0 | Naft MIS | 85,000 | 30 May 2022 | 30 | Azadi |
| 2022–23 | Tractor | 1–0 | Sepahan | 70,000 | 7 April 2023 | 25 | Sahand |
| Sepahan | 1–1 | Malavan | 70,000 | 24 April 2023 | 27 | Naghsh-e Jahan | |
| 2023–24 | Tractor | 0–1 | Persepolis | 80,000 | 16 August 2023 | 2 | Sahand |
| Tractor | 0–0 | Sepahan | 80,000 | 3 April 2024 | 16 | ||
| 2024–25 | Tractor | 1–1 | Persepolis | 90,000 | 22 August 2024 | 2 | |
| Tractor | 2–1 | Esteghlal | 90,000 | 4 April 2025 | 25 | ||
League Records
All-Time Top Goal Scorers
This table shows the players who have scored the most goals in the Persian Gulf Pro League.
| No. | Player | Goals | Apps | GPGR | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Reza Enayati |
147 | 358 | 0.41 | 2001–2017 |
| 2 | Mehdi Rajabzadeh |
116 | 405 | 0.28 | 2001–2018 |
| 3 | Arash Borhani |
115 | 339 | 0.33 | 2002–2017 |
| 4 |  Chimba |
103 | 330 | 0.31 | 2012–Present |
| 5 | Fereydoon Fazli |
85 | 178 | 0.47 | 2001–2010 |
| 6 | Édinho |
82 | 182 | 0.45 | 2008–2017 |
| 7 | Sajjad Shahbazzadeh |
81 | 334 | 0.24 | 2010–present |
| 8 | Jalal Rafkhaei |
79 | 308 | 0.25 | 2005–
2016 |
| 9 | Mohammad Reza Khalatbari |
79 | 431 | 0.18 | 2003–2023 |
| 10 | Karim Ansarifard |
77 | 182 | 0.42 | 2007–
2014 |
Players in bold are still active in the league.
*GPGR: Goals Per Game Ratio
All-Time Top Appearances in Iran League
This table lists the players who have played the most games in the Iranian league.
| No | Player | Appearance | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jalal Hosseini |
492 | 2002–2022 |
| 2 | Mehdi Rahmati |
482 | 2001–2020 |
| 3 | Ebrahim Sadeghi |
438 | 2001–2017 |
| 4 | Mohammadreza Khalatbari |
431 | 2003–2023 |
| 5 | Mehdi Rajabzadeh |
381 | 2001–2018 |
| 6 | Morteza Asadi |
380 | 2005–2018 |
| 7 | Amir Hossein Sadeghi |
379 | 2003–2018 |
| 8 | Mohsen Bengar |
372 | |
| 9 | Khosro Heydari |
370 | 2002–2019 |
| 10 | Mohammad Nouri |
369 | 2005–2021 |
Broadcasting and Sponsorship
Broadcasting Matches
The state-owned TV channel IRIB has the rights to show most matches of the Persian Gulf Pro League. They also show games from the Azadegan League and Hazfi Cup. Matches involving Esteghlal and Persepolis are shown on IRIB TV3.
Since the 1979 revolution, IRIB has been the only broadcaster for Iranian football leagues. In 2024, it was announced that the picture quality would be improved to HD in the coming years.
League Sponsors
The Persian Gulf Pro League has had sponsors since 2005. Here are the main sponsors over the years:
- 2001–2005: No sponsor
- 2005–2007: Zamzam
- 2007–2009: Padideh
- 2009–2014: Irancell
- 2014–2016: Sun Star
- 2016–present: Fanap
Awards
The Championship Trophy
The league championship trophy has two parts: a shiny chrome part and a smaller shiny golden part. The sides of the trophy are designed to look like the armor of ancient Persian soldiers from the Achaemenid Empire. The trophy also has symbols related to the Persian Gulf.
A new trophy is made each season for the champions. It takes about one and a half months to create. The trophy and the medals given to the players are made of brass metal and are gold plated.
More About Iranian Football
- Football in Iran
- Iranian football league system
- League 2
- League 3
- Iranian Super Cup
See also
In Spanish: Iran Pro League para niños
