Philippines Football League

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Philippines Football League
Organising bodyLiga Futbol Inc.
Founded2017; 7 years ago (2017)
CountryPhilippines
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams15
Level on pyramid1
Domestic cup(s)Copa Paulino Alcantara
International cup(s)
Current championsKaya–Iloilo (1st title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsUnited City (4 titles)
Top goalscorerBienvenido Marañón (71)
TV partnersPremier Football
Blast TV and Fiber TV (streaming)
Websitewww.pfl.org.ph
Current: 2024 Philippines Football League

The Philippines Football League (PFL) is a men's professional football league in the Philippines. Sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and organized by Liga Futbol Inc., it is the country's primary football competition. In 2024, it will be contested by 15 clubs, from April 6 to July 15. The league does not have a system of promotion and relegation. All PFL clubs also take part in the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the annual domestic cup competition.

Founded in 2017, the PFL supplanted the Metro Manila-based United Football League (UFL), which was the de facto top-tier league in the country from 2009 to 2016.[1] Since then, 11 clubs have competed in the PFL. United City (formerly Ceres–Negros) is the most successful club, with four consecutive titles. Aside from them, the only other club to have won the title is most recent champion Kaya–Iloilo.

The PFL's structure and organization has undergone several changes over the years. In 2018, the PFL was briefly dissolved due to financial and logistical issues, with the Philippine Premier League (PPL) supplanting it. However, with the folding of the PPL after just one matchday, the PFL was revived in May 2019.

History[edit]

Origins[edit]

Following the success of the Philippines national team in the 2010 AFF Championship, Philippines football experienced a renaissance. With no existing national football league, the United Football League (UFL) established itself as the de facto top-tier league in the Philippines. Under the guidance of the Football Alliance (FA) in partnership with United Football Clubs Association (UFCA), the UFL flourished. However, the PFF expressed the need to have a nationwide, community-based football league that is at par with the standards set by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).[2] The UFL, which was under the National Capital Region Football Association, could not be considered as a national league.

Foundations[edit]

Map showing the 13 localities (provinces, cities or municipalities) in red deemed viable home venues for prospect clubs of the Philippines Football League
13 localities deemed viable home venues by the Nielsen Company for prospect clubs in the PFL.[3]

With the goal of establishing a truly nationwide professional football league in the Philippines, the PFF launched National League Task Force on December 2, 2013.[4] The task force was led by PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. and general secretary Edwin Gastanes, also composing of Filipino economist Bernie Villegas, UFL president Randy Roxas, AFC deputy general secretary and competition director Dato' Windsor John, Filipino FIFA official Domeka Garamendi, AFC kick-off program director Yogesh Desai, UFL commissioner Bonnie Ladrido, ABS-CBN's Dino Laurena, former PFF general secretary Cyril Dofitas and Gelix Mercader.[5][6] The task force was tasked to do market research studies to determine the possible cities or regions where participating football clubs could be feasibly based, as well as assisting clubs in the Philippines to conform to the PFF club licensing regulations, of which the draft was initiated by Gastanes, with guidance from AFC. The PFF initially set a goal to launch the national league in two to three years from the inception of the task force.[2]

Singaporean sports marketing agency, Red Card Group led by former Singaporean international, R. Sasikumar, assisted the PFF in the initial stages of planning the league.[7]

Nielsen study[edit]

Nielsen was tasked by PFF, through funding from FIFA and AFC to conduct a study in 2015, where they identified 13 key localities throughout the Philippines as viable home venues for participating clubs in the PFL. Among the factors considered were existing infrastructures, accessibility, capacity of fans to pay, the existence of sponsors, and fan appreciation of the sport.[3]

"Philippines Football League" was the most-preferred name for a prospective league according to a Nielsen survey which covered interviews of 5,000 people nationwide. Other choices included "P-League", "Maharlika League" (inspired by a feudal warrior class existing in the Luzon region during the pre-colonial era),[8] "Liga Pilipina", and "Philippine Premier League".[9]

Launch[edit]

Shangri-La at the Fort at Bonifacio Global City where the official launch of the PFL was hosted.

The Philippines Football League was officially announced on September 7, 2016, and would be replacing the UFL as the Philippines' top-tier football league.[10]

At least six teams from all over the Philippines was planned to be part of the PFL, with clubs from the UFL invited to join. Clubs were given until December 2016 to formally apply to join the PFL.[3] The league competition was slated to begin in either the late March or early April in 2017.[1]

By April 1, 2017, the PFF confirmed the participation of 8 clubs from - Ilocos United and Stallion Laguna from Luzon; JPV Marikina, Kaya–Makati (now Kaya-Iloilo) and Meralco Manila (now Loyola) from Metro Manila; Ceres–Negros (now United City) and Global Cebu (now Global FC) from the Visayas; Davao Aguilas from Mindanao.[11]

The official launching of the PFL happened on April 21, 2017, at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig.[12] The program was started by economist and PFL Task Force Chairman, Bernardo Villegas and ended by PFF President Mariano Araneta.[13]

2017 and 2018 seasons[edit]

The inaugural season in 2017 was contested by eight clubs and had two stages; the regular season and a playoff competition. The regular season adopted a home-and-away, double round-robin format. The top four teams in the regular season advanced to the play-off round, dubbed as the "Final Series", to determine the champions of the league.[14] Ceres-Negros won the inaugural league title.

For the second season, the Final Series was scrapped due to the introduction of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the cup competition for the league.[15] The number of clubs in the league was reduced from eight to six after the departure of Ilocos United (then converted to a grassroots association)[16] and FC Meralco Manila (that stayed active on a youth level ever since),[17][18] both due to lack of investment and sponsorship, while Kaya-Makati F.C. relocated to Iloilo City and changed their name accordingly.[19] Ceres-Negros won their second title.[20]

Replacement by the Philippine Premier League[edit]

Main article: Philippine Premier League

In late-2018, Triple CH led by Thailand-based Filipino businessman Bernie Sumayao became involved in the league and has entered talks with PFF chairman Mariano Araneta.[21] He was appointed as the league's new commissioner.[22] Sumayao pledged to institute financial and structural reforms in the league; including a rebrand of the league to the "Philippine Premier League" (PPL) starting the 2019 season, more favorable sponsorship policies, and the disestablishment of the franchise fee in favor of a less expensive registration fee for clubs.[21]

At least eight teams were projected to play in the PPL's inaugural season.[21] However, the end of the 2017 season also saw the departure of a third club in the league's history, Davao Aguilas[23] Despite this, the league has received applications from several new clubs aspiring to join the PFL.[21]

Revival and continued organization[edit]

The PPL effectively folded after the PFF announced that it has revoked its sanction of the league on May 3, 2019, due to its non compliance to the agreement with PFF.[24] The PFL was consequently revived, with a third season planned to commence within the year.[25] The new format proceeded as planned, with Ceres–Negros claiming their third consecutive league title despite internal managerial struggles.[26]

The PFL secured a three-year sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways on January 26, 2020, with the Qatari firm becoming the Airline partner and Title Sponsor of the PFL.[27] Negotiations for deal occurred as early as November 2019.[28] The league was formally renamed as "The Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways" as a result of the sponsorship.[29][30]

The 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was later held in a bio-secure bubble in Carmona, Cavite from October 28 to November 9, 2020, while the edition of the Copa Paulino Alcantara was cancelled, due to the time constraints caused by the original postponement.[31][32][33] Ceres-Negros, which had just sustained an ownership change and got renamed as "United City F.C.",[34][35] then proceeded to win their fourth title in a row, with Kaya F.C.-Iloilo finishing second despite remaining unbeaten and thus becoming the first club in PFL's history to do so.[36]

The same year saw the official entry in the competition of newly founded Azkals Development Team, directly controlled by the national football federation, as a guest team that would host mainly "homegrown" young talents, as well as some overage players, in order to expand the resources of the national team.[37][38][39]

In 2021, following the rise of Philippines in the AFC rankings and the expansion of the AFC Champions League's group stage from 32 to 40 teams,[40][41] United City became the first Filipino team to qualify for the group stage of the competition, as winners of the 2020 edition of the PFL. Plus, the 2021 season saw both the return of the league cup, set to be organized in April,[42] and a slight expansion of the league,[43] with PFL commissioner Coco Torre announcing in February that Loyola F.C. (returning to the league after competing for the last time in 2018) and former UFL team Laos F.C. (on his official debut) had submitted their respective requests to join the competition.[44]

Competition format[edit]

The PFL followed a traditional home-and-away double round-robin format during the 2018, 2019, and 2022-23 seasons, although some clubs did not have their home stadiums.

The 2018 season saw 7 teams playing each other 4 times. In the 2019 season with 6 teams competing, the format was made into a quadruple round-robin format, this time playing each other 5 times whole season.

In the 2020 season, all matches are held in a bio-secure bubble single venue with 5 matches played by each team in a span of 12 days starting from October 28 to November 12.[45] The last match was postponed due to Typhoon Vamco (Ulysses), although the match was never played, instead documented as a goalless draw against Mendiola and Stallion.

The 2022-23 season saw a switch from a intra-year format to a inter-year format due to the Asian Football Confederation changing its system of scheduling into an inter-year format. About 22 games we're to be played by each team during this season, excluding United City, which withdrew mid-season.

The success of the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara, the league saw an expansion from 7 teams to 15, an all time high for the league. With this the league schedule was again switched to a intra-year format for the 2024 season, and the format changed from a double round-robin, to a single round-robin tournament with 14 matches played by each team. This season will also see most of its games played in centralized venues, with almost all games played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

An interview from the PFL commissioner Coco Torre revealed that there are talks for the next season to be reverted back into an inter-year format.

It is only during the 2017 season, that the league had two phases, the regular season, and the "Finals Series", a play-off round where the top four teams played to determine the champions.[14][10] There was a proposal to convert the former UFL to a second division tournament or a reserve league to the PFL.[46][15]


Qualification for Asian competitions[edit]

  • AFC Champions League
    • 2017–2020: The league's champions qualify for the preliminary round of the play-offs, and they have to renounce to their slot in the AFC Cup in case of advancement to the group stage.
    • 2021–2023: The league's champions qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament; the winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara (or the league's second placers, only for the 2020 season) qualify for the preliminary round of the play-offs, and they have to renounce to their slot in the AFC Cup in case of advancement to the group stage.
  • AFC Cup/AFC Champions League 2
    • 2017: The league's second placers qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament, with third placers eligible to replace them whether they were unable to play in the competition; if the league's champions failed to advance to the group stage of AFC Champions League, they would still benefit from a free slot in the tournament.
    • 2018–2020: The winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament; if the league's champions failed to advance to the group stage of AFC Champions League, they would still benefit from a free slot in the tournament.
    • 2021–2023: The winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara (or the league's second placers, only for the 2020 season) qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament.
    • 2024: The winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara will qualify for the 2024–25 AFC Champions League 2 qualifying play-offs, with the league winners being given direct qualification for the 2024–25 AFC Champions League 2 group stage

Clubs (2024)[edit]

Twenty clubs have played in the PFL since its inception in 2017, up to and including the 2024 season.

Philippines Football League
Club Location Joined PFL Founded Best finish Ref.
Dynamic Herb Cebu Cebu City, Cebu 2022 2021 2nd (2022–23) [47]
Davao Aguilas Tagum, Davao del Norte 2017 2017 3rd (2018)
Loyola Manila, Metro Manila 2017 2006 3rd (2017)
Don Bosco Garelli Makati, Metro Manila 2024 2013 None (Debut)
Kaya–Iloilo Iloilo City, Iloilo 2017 1996 1st (2022–23) [48]
Maharlika Taguig Taguig, Metro Manila 2020 2020 5th (2020) [49]
Manila Digger Taguig, Metro Manila 2024 2018 None (Debut)
Manila Montet Manila, Metro Manila 2024 2024 None (Debut)
Mendiola 1991 Imus, Cavite 2019 1991 4th (2020)
One Taguig Taguig, Metro Manila 2024 2024 None (Debut)
Philippine Air Force Pasay, Metro Manila 2019 1960 6th (2019)
Philippine Army Taguig, Metro Manila 2024 1960 None (Debut)
Stallion Laguna Biñan, Laguna 2017 2002 3rd (2019) [50][51]
Tuloy Muntinlupa, Metro Manila 2024 — None (Debut)
United City Capas, Tarlac 2017 2012 1st (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

Timeline[edit]

League member Former member Guest team

Champions[edit]

Main article: List of Filipino football champions
See also: Philippine Football League records and statistics

Organization[edit]

See also: Liga Futbol Inc.

The Philippines Football League, along with the PFF Cup, is managed by Liga Futbol Inc.[52] Singapore-based Red Card Global, a sports marketing agency has exclusive commercial rights to the PFL.[53] Each club had to pay a franchise fee to participate in the league.[10] Reportedly in April 2017, the franchise fee was pegged at $500,000 by the PFF which can be paid by member clubs within a period of five years.[54]

The league is professional in nature, clubs are intended to have a share of the league's broadcast revenues and sponsorship. Each club is allowed to be assisted by the league in securing their own sponsors.[1]

The professional status of the league is recognized by the Games and Amusements Board, the regulatory body for professional sports in the Philippines.[55]

In October 2018, the Philippines Football Federation was awarded the League Development award by the Asian Football Confederation for its organization of the PFL.[56]

Club identity[edit]

All PFL clubs were required under the PFF club licensing regulations to have a name that includes the name of their home locality. The clubs were also required to have nicknames, crests, and colors based on the unique characteristics of their home locality.[57]

Players and salaries[edit]

Participating clubs were allowed to have between 25 and 30 players. Reportedly in September 2016, four foreign players were to be allowed per club, with at least one coming from an AFC country.[9] On January 17, 2017, it was reported that this foreign player limit rule was yet to be finalized by the PFF.[58]

The PFL reportedly planned to have a salary cap and a salary floor.[10]

Youth development[edit]

All participating clubs in the PFL were required to commit to the organization and development of at least two youth teams, one under 18 and another under 15. The clubs' youth teams were required to participate in competitions organized by the Philippine Football Federation.[57]

Stadiums[edit]

The clubs of the PFL were required to have a certified home stadium either through ownership of the stadium or having an active contract with the owners of the stadium. Likewise, all clubs were required to have access to or own a training field and facility,[57] although some clubs have been allowed to provisionally participate even without a designated home stadium.

Sponsorship[edit]

Title sponsor

Company Period Ref.
Qatar Airways 2020–present [59]

Media coverage[edit]

Arnie Pasinabo of Ceres-Negros (2nd from left) shakes the hand of Jalsor Soriano of Kaya FC-Iloilo in a press conference. They are flanked by the head coaches of their clubs
Press conference held prior to a league match between Ceres-Negros and Kaya-Iloilo. May 11, 2018.

The Philippine Football Federation had an agreement with the People's Television Network to broadcast matches of the league which was signed in April 2017[60] though the network coverage of the league didn't last at least half a season.[61] Matches since then were live streamed through the MyCujoo online platform.[62]

On February 22, 2018, the league had signed an agreement with Sportradar which would enable it livestream matches through Sportradar's Over-The-Top (OTT) platform.[52][63] In April 2018, Liga Futbol Inc. approved a budget to secure a broadcasting partner for the 2018 season.[64]

For the 2019 season, all matches were streamed on Facebook and the league's official website.[65]

The Qatar Airways sponsorship deal signed with the league in January 2020 included provisions to broadcast selected matches live on television.[66] On October 15, during the virtual conference of the official launch of the 2020 PFL season, PFF President Mariano Araneta announced the partnership with One Play Sports as digital content partner.[67] Matches were also broadcast on cable television through EXPTV on Cignal and on the PFL's social media.[68]

On April 4, 2024, the league announced that they will have a tv coverage through Premier Sports on Cignal and Sky Cable and livestream via Blast TV, Fiber TV and the PFL website.[69]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c United City were known as Ceres–Negros until 2020

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  65. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (January 29, 2020). "Qatar Airways formalizes partnership with PFL". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020. The PFL did not enjoy having televised matches all season long last year from the league season to the Copa Paulino Alcantara, although all of the matches were streamed live in the PFL website and in its Facebook page.
  66. ^ "PFF Inks Three-Year Partnership With Qatar Airways For The PFL". Philippine Football Federation. January 29, 2020. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  67. ^ "Qatar Airways-backed Season Kickoff Set October 25". Philippine Football League. October 15, 2020. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  68. ^ "5 things to look forward to in the upcoming PFL season". Phil Star. October 21, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  69. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
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