{{Short description|Football (soccer) league of Iran}} {{Use American English|date = February 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}} {{Infobox league system | image = | image_size = 220px | caption = | country = Iran | sport = Association football | pr = Yes | federation = [[Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran]] | confederation = [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] | top = {{Unbulleted list| * '''Men:''' ** [[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League]] * '''Women:''' ** [[Kowsar Women Football League]] }} | second = [[Azadegan League]] | cup = {{Unbulleted list| * [[Iranian Hazfi Cup|Hazfi Cup]] * [[Iranian Super Cup|Super Cup]] }} }} The '''Iranian football league system''' is a series of interconnected leagues for professional [[soccer|football]] clubs in [[Iran]]. The top division for men is the [[Persian Gulf Pro League]], and for [[women's association football |women's football]], the [[Kowsar Women Football League]].
==Structure== The current structure has been in place since 2001. The [[Iran's Premier Football League|Pro League]] is the highest level of club football in Iran. It is also called the [[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League]]. Below it is the [[Azadegan League]], also known as the 1st division and called the [[Azadegan League]], which consists of one eighteen-team group. One level further down from that is the [[Iran Football's 2nd Division|League 3]], also known as [[League 2 (Iran)|League 3]] which is made up of 60 teams evenly distributed into three groups. One step down, and the final nationwide league, is the [[Iran Football's 3rd Division|League 3]]. This level has six groups and 96 teams. The final level of the football system consists of 31 [[Provinces of Iran|provincial]] leagues. Local teams from each province participate in these leagues, and some of the leagues are divided into further divisions.
The system works with a promotion-relegation system, meaning that a team from the lowest level of the system can make it to the top level within a number of years. The number of teams in each league often changes from season to season, due to the lack of any professional management in the lower levels of the system. Currently the IPL is the only league that is considered professional, despite many of its rules about club facilities and management being broken. It is not uncommon for teams in the lower levels of the system to change team names because of sponsorship issues or for teams to completely withdraw from a competition.
The top five levels of men's football are managed by the [[Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran|Iranian Football Federation]], while the bottom level leagues are managed by their respective provincial football committee.
The [[Kowsar Women Football League]] ({{langx|fa|لیگ کوثر بانوان فوتبال ایران}}, ''Lig-e Kâuser-e Banuan-e Futbal-e Iran''), established in 2007, is the top women's football league, also run by the Iranian Football Federation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iranleague.ir/League-Full-Table/1040/45 |title=جدول ليگ برتر بانوان - ليگ کوثر |access-date=2015-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723073914/http://www.iranleague.ir/League-Full-Table/1040/45 |archive-date=2015-07-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name =afc2022>{{cite web | last=Banerjee | first=Ritabrata | title=2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup: From Japan's WE League to Australia's A-League Women - How Asia is developing the women's game? | website=Goal.com | date=12 January 2022 | url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2022-afc-womens-asian-cup-all-you-need-to-know-india-rivals/bltf8613bfca3665f23 | access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref>
=== League system changes === {| class=wikitable !Years !1st tier !2nd tier !3rd tier !4th tier !5th tier !6th tier |- |1970–1972 |Local League |align=center|– |align=center|– |align=center|– |align=center|– |align=center|– |- |1973–1979 |[[Takht Jamshid Cup]] |[[League 2 (Iran)|2nd Division]] |align=center|– |align=center|– |align=center|– |align=center|– |- |1989–1990 |[[1989–90 Qods League|Qods League]] |align=center|- |align=center|- |align=center|– |align=center|– |align=center|– |- |1991–2001 |[[Azadegan League]] |[[League 2 (Iran)|2nd Division]] |[[League 3 (Iran)|3rd Division]] |align=center|– |align=center|– |align=center|– |- |2001–2024 |[[Iran Pro League|Pro League]] |[[Azadegan League]] |[[League 2 (Iran)|League 2]] |[[League 3 (Iran)|League 3]] |Provincial Leagues |align=center|– |- |2024-present |[[Iran Pro League|Pro League]] |[[Azadegan League]] |[[League 2 (Iran)|League 2]] |[[League 3 (Iran)|League 3]] |League 4 |Provincial Leagues |- |}
==History== ===Before 1970=== Before the 1970s, Iran did not have an official national football league. Most clubs participated in championships of their city or province. Therefore, the champion of the [[Tehran Province League|Tehran Premier League]] was seen as the [[List of Iranian football champions|Iranian football champion]]. Due to their achievements in the Tehran Premier League, [[Shahin Tehran F.C.|Shahin Tehran]] and [[Esteghlal F.C.|Taj]], today known as [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]], were the most popular teams at this time. Also [[Daraei F.C.|Daraei]] and [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] were successful clubs in [[Tehran]]'s own league.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=501&Itemid=1035 |title=Football in Iran before 1970 |website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref>
===Local League=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;font-size:90%;float:right" |+ '''Local League champions''' ! style="width:75px;"| Season ! style="width:125px;"| Champions ! style="width:125px;"| Runners-up
|- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1970–71 Local League|1970–71]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Taj]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1971–72 Local League|1971–72]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] |- |}
In 1970, the Local League was created.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2009/m=9/news=esteghlal-the-iranian-crown-1101649.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906012445/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2009/m=9/news=esteghlal-the-iranian-crown-1101649.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 September 2015|title=Esteghlal the Iranian Crown|last=FIFA.com|date=16 September 2009|website=Fifa.com|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref> For the first time, the league comprised also teams from many other cities and provinces including [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] from [[Isfahan]] and [[East Azerbaijan Province|East Azerbaijan]] club [[Tractor S.C.|Tractor]].<ref name="archive.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iran70.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514034903/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iran70.html|url-status=live|archive-date=14 May 2011|title=Iran 1970|date=14 May 2011|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref> The first recognized Iranian football champion was [[Esteghlal F.C.|Taj]] after beating [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] 2–1 in the final of the [[1970–71 Local League]].<ref name="the-afc.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/club-profiles/piroozi-0|title=The AFC.com – The Asian Football Confederation|website=The-afc.com|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=331&Itemid=882 |title=Taj (Esteghlal) Local League season 1970–71 |website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref><ref name="the-afc.com1">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/club-profiles/esteghlal-0|title=The AFC.com – The Asian Football Confederation|website=The-afc.com|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="archive.org"/> The incidents of the semi-final between Taj and [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] are also of great importance for the rivalry between both clubs.<ref name="the-afc.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=333&Itemid=885 |title=Persepolis Local League season 1970–71 |website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref><ref name="the-afc.com1"/> The second and last [[1971–72 Local League|edition]] of the Local League was won by Persepolis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iranchamp.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604104728/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iranchamp.html|url-status=live|archive-date=4 June 2011|title=Iran – List of Champions|date=4 June 2011|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="the-afc.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=494&Itemid=1018 |title=1971–72 Local League |website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref>
===Takht Jamshid Cup=== {{main article|Takht Jamshid Cup}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;font-size:90%;float:right" |+ '''Takht Jamshid Cup champions''' ! style="width:75px;"| Season ! style="width:125px;"| Champions ! style="width:125px;"| Runners-up |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1973–74 Takht Jamshid Cup|1973–74]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Taj]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1974–75 Takht Jamshid Cup|1974–75]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Taj]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1975–76 Takht Jamshid Cup|1975–76]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | Homa |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1976–77 Takht Jamshid Cup|1976–77]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1977–78 Takht Jamshid Cup|1977–78]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- |}
In 1972, the [[Takht Jamshid Cup]] was founded as the national league and included teams from all over the country. The [[Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran|Iranian Football Federation]] had decided to create a league similar to European football leagues. The league was named after [[Persepolis|Takht-e Jamshid]], the ancient [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid]] capital known outside of Iran as [[Persepolis]]. The Takht Jamshid Cup comprised twelve clubs in the [[1973–74 Takht Jamshid Cup|1973–74 season]]. [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] became the first champions of the Takht Jamshid Cup, two points ahead of rival [[Esteghlal F.C.|Taj]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=647 |title=Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1973–74|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99&Itemid=648 |title=Taj (Esteghlal) Takht Jamshid Cup season 1973–74|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref>
Before the beginning of the [[1974–75 Takht Jamshid Cup|1974–75 season]], the number of teams were increased from twelve to 16 teams. [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] claimed its first Takht Jamshid Cup title after winning the league ahead of Persepolis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=110&Itemid=659 |title=Taj (Esteghlal) Takht Jamshid Cup season 1974–75|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref> The [[1975–76 Takht Jamshid Cup]] was won by Persepolis with a great performance by Iranian football legend [[Ali Parvin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=121&Itemid=671 |title=Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1975–76|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref> The second place team was another [[Tehran]] based club, Homa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122&Itemid=672 |title=Homa Takht Jamshid Cup season 1975–76|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref> The next two seasons were won by [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] under coach [[Hassan Habibi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137&Itemid=687 |title=PAS Tehran Takht Jamshid Cup season 1976–77|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156&Itemid=706 |title=PAS Tehran Takht Jamshid Cup season 1977–78|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref> PAS Tehran won their championships both times ahead of Persepolis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=138&Itemid=688 |title=Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1976–77|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=157&Itemid=707 |title=Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1977–78|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref> At this time the Takht Jamshid Cup was one of the strongest football leagues in Asia. The [[Iran national football team]] won in 1976 their third successive [[1976 AFC Asian Cup|AFC Asian Cup]] and qualified 1978 for the [[1978 FIFA World Cup|FIFA World Cup]] for the first time in the country's history.{{cn|date=March 2026}}
The [[1978–79 Takht Jamshid Cup]] season was abandoned due to the [[Iranian Revolution|1979 Revolution]]. [[Shahin Tehran F.C.|Shahbaz]] was leading the league after twelve matchdays ahead of Persepolis and Taj.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=172&Itemid=722 |title=Shahbaz Takht Jamshid Cup season 1978–79|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=173&Itemid=723 |title=Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1978–79|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://takhtejamshidcup.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=174&Itemid=724 |title=Taj (Esteghlal) Takht Jamshid Cup season 1978–79|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref>
===1979 Revolution and 1980s=== Due to the [[Iranian Revolution|Islamic Revolution]] and the [[Iran–Iraq War]], the Takht Jamshid Cup was dissolved and also the lower leagues were unorganized. Once again the champion of the [[Tehran Province League]] was seen as the [[List of Iranian football champions|Iranian football champion]]. The league was dominated by [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] with five titles and [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] with two championships. In 1987 the [[17th of Shahrivar league]] was created with mainly teams from [[Tehran]], but also with clubs from some others cities. The league was won by Persepolis ahead of [[Daraei F.C.|Daraei]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iran88.html |title=1987–88 17th of Shahrivar league|website=takhtejamshidcup.com |access-date=2017-10-08}}</ref> Due to the fact that the league was part of the Tehran Province League, Persepolis' title is today not accepted as a national championship.
===Qods League=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;font-size:90%;float:right" |+ '''Qods League champions''' ! style="width:75px;"| Season ! style="width:125px;"| Champions ! style="width:125px;"| Runners-up |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1989–90 Qods League|1989–90]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- |}
In 1989 the [[1989–90 Qods League|Qods League]] was formed as the national Iranian football league. The first official Iranian football champion since the revolution was [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]]. After only one season the Qods League was abolished.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iranchamp.html |title=List of Iranian football champions|website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref>
===Azadegan League=== {{main article|Azadegan League}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;font-size:90%;float:right" |+ '''Azadegan League champions''' ! style="width:75px;"| Season ! style="width:125px;"| Champions ! style="width:125px;"| Runners-up |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1991–92 Azadegan League|1991–92]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1992–93 Azadegan League|1992–93]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1993–94 Azadegan League|1993–94]] | [[Saipa F.C.|Saipa]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1994–95 Azadegan League|1994–95]] | [[Saipa F.C.|Saipa]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1995–96 Azadegan League|1995–96]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Bahman F.C.|Bahman]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1996–97 Azadegan League|1996–97]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Bahman F.C.|Bahman]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1997–98 Azadegan League|1997–98]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1998–99 Azadegan League|1998–99]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1999–2000 Azadegan League|1999–00]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2000–01 Azadegan League|2000–01]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- |} In 1991 the Azadegan League was formed as the top flight of Iranian football. The league was named as Azadegan League in honor of the Iranian [[prisoners of war]] who were released. ''Azadegan'' means ''the liberated'' in [[Persian language|Persian]]. The league started with a format of 12 teams in the first [[1991–92 Azadegan League|season]]. In the [[1992–93 Azadegan League]] season the league changed its format. 16 clubs participated in two groups of eight teams. [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] were the champions in both seasons.<ref name="auto"/> Before the start of the [[1993–94 Azadegan League|1993–94]] season, the league changed its format again. 14 teams participated in one group. [[Saipa F.C.|Saipa]] won the Azadegan League title.{{cn|date=March 2026}} Only one year later the league format was changed again. 24 clubs participated in two groups of 12 teams. Saipa defended their title in final against Esteghlal.{{cn|date=March 2026}}
Prior to the start of the [[1995–96 Azadegan League]] season, the league changed its format again.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iran96.html |title=1995–96 Azadegan League season|website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref> 16 teams participated in one group until 1999. Persepolis were the champions in [[1995–96 Azadegan League|1995–96]],<ref name="auto1"/> [[1996–97 Azadegan League|1996–97]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iran97.html |title=1996–97 Azadegan League season|website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref> and [[1998–99 Azadegan League|1998–99]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iran99.html |title=1998–99 Azadegan League season|website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref> while Esteghlal became champion in the [[1997–98 Azadegan League|1997–98]] season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iran98.html |title=1997–98 Azadegan League season|website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref> In 1999 the league was reduced to 14 teams. Persepolis won the [[1999–2000 Azadegan League]] season, sitting seven points clear of rival Esteghlal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iran00.html |title=1999–2000 Azadegan League season|website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref> The [[2000–01 Azadegan League|2000–01]] season was the last year of the Azadegan League as the top-level football league of Iran. Esteghlal became champion in a league of 12 teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iran01.html |title=2000–01 Azadegan League season|website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref>
===Pro League / Persian Gulf Cup=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;font-size:90%;float:right" |+ '''Pro League champions''' ! style="width:75px;"| Season ! style="width:125px;"| Champions ! style="width:125px;"| Runners-up |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2001–02 Iran Pro League|2001–02]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2002–03 Iran Pro League|2002–03]] | [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2003–04 Iran Pro League|2003–04]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2004–05 Iran Pro League|2004–05]] | [[Foolad F.C.|Foolad]] | [[Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C.|Zob Ahan]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2005–06 Iran Pro League|2005–06]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] | [[PAS Tehran F.C.|PAS Tehran]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2006–07 Persian Gulf Cup|2006–07]] | [[Saipa F.C.|Saipa]] | [[Esteghlal Ahvaz F.C.|Esteghlal Ahvaz]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2007–08 Persian Gulf Cup|2007–08]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2008–09 Persian Gulf Cup|2008–09]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] | [[Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C.|Zob Ahan]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup|2009–10]] | [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] | [[Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C.|Zob Ahan]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2010–11 Persian Gulf Cup|2010–11]] | [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup|2011–12]] | [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] | [[Tractor S.C.|Tractor]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2012–13 Persian Gulf Cup|2012–13]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] | [[Tractor S.C.|Tractor]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2013–14 Persian Gulf Cup|2013–14]] | [[Foolad F.C.|Foolad]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2014–15 Persian Gulf Pro League|2014–15]] | [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] | [[Tractor S.C.|Tractor]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League|2015–16]] | [[Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C.|Esteghlal Khuzestan]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2016–17 Persian Gulf Pro League|2016–17]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2017–18 Persian Gulf Pro League|2017–18]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Zob Ahan F.C.|Zob Ahan]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2018–19 Persian Gulf Pro League|2018–19]] | [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] |- |[[2019–20 Persian Gulf Pro League|2019–20]] |[[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |[[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- |[[2020–21 Persian Gulf Pro League|2020–21]] |[[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |[[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] |- |[[2021–22 Persian Gulf Pro League|2021–22]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |[[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |- |[[2022–23 Persian Gulf Pro League|2022–23]] |[[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] |[[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] |- |[[2023–24 Persian Gulf Pro League|2023–24]] |[[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] | [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] |- |[[2024–25 Persian Gulf Pro League|2024–25]] |[[Tractor F.C.|Tractor]] |[[Sepahan F.C.|Sepahan]] |}
The [[IPL 2001/02|2001–2002]] season saw the beginning of the first professional football league in Iran.{{cn|date=March 2026}}
On 12 August 2006, the Iranian Football Federation decided to change the name of the league once again, this time to "Persian Gulf Cup".<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:برنامهي كامل دور رفت ششمين دورهي ليگ برتر فوتبال؛ ليگ برتر به "خليج فارس" تغيير نام داد |url=http://www.isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-769028&Lang=P |publisher=[[Iranian Students' News Agency|ISNA]] |access-date=2006-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212183148/http://www.isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-769028&Lang=P |archive-date=2012-02-12 |language=fa}}</ref> This was done to promote the name of the Persian Gulf, instead of the many variations which some nations and organizations use which Iran [[Persian Gulf naming dispute|claims are incorrect]]. The league logo was also changed, with the winner being selected from over 130 designs and unveiled on 14 November 2006.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:برترين طرح ارائه شده براي ليگ برتر انتخاب شد |url=http://iriff.ir/news/files/show_news.asp?id=6641&rc=3|publisher=[[IRIFF|IRIFF Official Website]]|access-date=2006-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726185222/http://iriff.ir/news/files/show_news.asp?id=6641&rc=3|archive-date=2011-07-26 |language=fa}}</ref>
The league changed its name from "Persian Gulf Cup" to "[[Persian Gulf Pro League]]" in 2014. The Iranian Football Federation decided also to change the logos of both the Persian Gulf Pro League and of the [[Azadegan League]].{{cn|date=March 2026}}
<sub>'''Notes'''<br /> 1. [[Esteghlal F.C.|Taj]] changed its name to [[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]] in 1979.<br /> 2. [[Shahin F.C.|Shahin]] changed its name to [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] in 1968, which in turn changed to Piroozi in 1986; but the 'old' name Persepolis is still used in preference to Piroozi in Iran.<br /> 3. [[Azadegan League]] is now the name of the 2nd highest division in Iran, only the IPL is higher.</sub> ===Women's league === The [[Kowsar Women Football League]] was established in 2007.<ref name =afc2022/>
==Championships== The number of national championships attained by football clubs in Iran since '''1970'''. The national championships were suspended from 1979 to 1991. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- !Clubs <br/> !Winners <br/> !Runners-up <br/> !Current league |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]]||16||10||[[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League ]] |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Esteghlal F.C.|Esteghlal]]||9||11||[[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League ]] |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[PAS Tehran F.C.|Pas Tehran]]||5||5||• |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Sepahan F.C.|Sepahan]]||5||5||[[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League]] |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Saipa F.C.|Saipa]]||3||0||[[Azadegan League]] |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Foolad F.C.|Foolad]]||2||0||[[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League ]] |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Tractor S.C.|Tractor]]||1||3||[[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League ]] |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C.|Esteghlal Khuzestan]]||1||0||[[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League ]] |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C.|Zob Ahan]]||0||4||[[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League ]] |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Bahman F.C.|Bahman]]||0||2||• |- |style="text-align:left;"|Homa||0||1||• |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Esteghlal Ahvaz F.C.|Esteghlal Ahvaz]]||0||1||• |}
==Current system==
===Men's=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- "background:#efefef" ! colspan="2" align="center"|'''Level''' ! colspan="30" align="center"|'''League/Division(s)''' |- | colspan="2" align="center" style="background:#efefef" |1 | colspan="30" |'''[[Persian Gulf Pro League]]'''<br />''16 clubs''<br>↓ ''2 teams relegated'' |- | colspan="2" align="center" style="background:#efefef" |2 | colspan="30" |'''[[Azadegan League]]'''<br />''18 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''3 teams relegated'' |- | colspan="2" align="center" style="background:#efefef" |3 | colspan="15" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 2nd Division|League 2<br/>Group 1]]'''<br/>''14 clubs''<br>↑ ''1.5 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''3 teams relegated'' | colspan="13" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 2nd Division|League 2<br/>Group 2]]'''<br/>''14 clubs''<br>↑ ''1.5 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''3 teams relegated'' |- | colspan="2" align="center" style="background:#efefef" |4 | colspan="10" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 3rd Division|League 3<br/>Group 1]]'''<br/>''12 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''4 teams relegated'' | colspan="10" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 3rd Division|League 3<br/>Group 2]]'''<br/>''12 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''4 teams relegated'' | colspan="10" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 3rd Division|League 3<br/>Group 3]]'''<br/>''12 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''4 teams relegated'' |- | colspan="2" align="center" style="background:#efefef" |5 | colspan="5" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 4th Division|League 4<br/>Group 1]]'''<br/>''10 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''5 teams relegated'' | colspan="5" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 4th Division|League 4<br/>Group 2]]'''<br/>''10 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''5 teams relegated'' | colspan="5" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 4th Division|League 4<br/>Group 3]]'''<br/>''10 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''5 teams relegated'' | colspan="5" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 4th Division|League 4<br/>Group 4]]'''<br/>''10 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''5 teams relegated'' | colspan="5" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 4th Division|League 4<br/>Group 5]]'''<br/>''10 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''5 teams relegated'' | colspan="5" align="center"|'''[[Iran Football's 4th Division|League 4<br/>Group 6]]'''<br/>''10 clubs''<br>↑ ''2 teams promoted''<br>↓ ''5 teams relegated'' |- | colspan="2" align="center" style="background:#efefef" |6 | colspan="30" align="center" |'''Provincial Leagues'''<br />Alborz Province League, [[Ardabil Provincial League]], [[Bushehr Province League]], Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province League, [[East Azarbaijan Province League]], Esfahan Province League, Fars Province League, [[Gilan Province League]], [[Golestan Province League]], Hamadan Province League, Hormozgan Province League, Ilam Province League, Kerman Province League, Kermanshah Province League, [[Khuzestan Premier League|Khuzestan Province League]], Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province League, Kordestan Province League, Lorestan Province League, Markazi Province League, Mazandaran Province League, North Khorasan Province League, Qazvin Province League, Qom Province League, Razavi Khorasan Province League, Semnan Province League, Sistan and Baluchestan Province League, South Khorasan Province League, [[Tehran Province League]], West Azarbaijan Province League, Yazd Province League, Zanjan Province League<br/>(league organized by provincial committees) |}
===Women's=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- "background:#efefef" ! colspan="2" width="4.75" align="center"|'''Level''' ! colspan="18" width="96%" align="center"|'''League/Division(s)''' |- | colspan="2" width="5.75" align="center" style="background:#efefef" |1 | colspan="18" width="96" |'''[[Kowsar Women Football League]]'''<br />''12 clubs'' |}
== See also == * [[Persian Gulf Pro League|Pro League]] * [[Azadegan League]] * [[Iran Football's 2nd Division|League 2]] * [[Iran Football's 3rd Division|League 3]] * [[Iran Football's 4th Division|League 4]] * [[League system]] * [[Hazfi Cup]] * [[Iranian Super Cup]] * [[Kowsar Women Football League]] * [[Iranian Futsal Super League]] * [[Iran Premier Beach Soccer League]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Football in Iran}} {{Persian Gulf Pro League}} {{Azadegan League seasons}} {{Iran Football's 2nd Division}} {{Hazfi Cup}} {{League systems}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Iranian Football League System}} [[Category:Football leagues in Iran| ]] [[Category:Football league systems in Asia]]