Hong Kong Premier League to kick-off September 2014

It’s the city’s first fully professional football league.

The Hong Kong Football Association said the new Hong Kong Premier League will have a minimum of 8 teams participating in the inaugural season. All clubs are required to pass the League Club License Regulations and acquire a Hong Kong Club License.

The main aim of the new Premier League is to raise the standard of the Hong Kong League so it is more attractive to clubs, coaches, players, spectators and sponsors. A higher standard league should also help to raise the standard of representative teams. The Premier League should be the catalyst for HK teams playing in the AFC Champions League.

The 11 clubs in the existing Division 1 will be offered first right of refusal to apply for a license following the end of the season, with the champion of Division 2 also being handed an invitation.

The HKFA Board of Directors and the Asian Football Association have both approved the Hong Kong Premier League Club License Regulations. HKFA can now put plans in motion to establish this new league. The criteria have been sent to all of clubs in the 1st and 2nd Divisions.