Chinese Super League

Also known as Chinese Football Association Super League, CSL, Ping An Chinese Football Association Super League

top tier of association football in China

Key facts

Organising body: Chinese Professional Football League
Founded: 2004 ; 22 years ago ( 2004 )
Country: China
Confederation: AFC
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 (4th title) , ( 2025 )
Most championships: Guangzhou (8 titles)
Most appearances: Wang Dalei (446 games)
Top scorer: Wu Lei (168 goals)
Broadcaster s: CCTV , Migu

Article

The Chinese Football Super League (Chinese: 中国足球超级联赛; pinyin: Zhōngguó Zúqiú Chāojí Liánsài), commonly known as the Chinese Super League or the CSL (Chinese: 中超; pinyin: Zhōngchāo), also known as the China Resources Beverage Chinese Football Super League for sponsorship reasons, is a professional football league in China and the highest level of the Chinese football league system. Governed by the Chinese Football Association and operated by the Chinese Professional Football League (CFL), the league was established in 2004 by the rebranding of the former top division, Chinese Jia-A League.

Initially contested by 12 teams in its inaugural year, the league has since expanded, with 16 teams competing in the 2026 season. A total of 42 teams have competed in the CSL since its inception, with 9 of them winning the title: Guangzhou (8), Shandong Taishan (4), Shanghai Port (4), Shenzhen, Dalian Shide, Changchun Yatai, Beijing Guoan, Jiangsu, and Wuhan Three Towns (1 title each). The current Super League champions are Shanghai Port, who won the 2025 edition.