Azerbaijan Premier League

The 1990s

The league was dominated by teams like Qarabağ, Neftçi, Kapaz, Turan Tovuz and Shamkir. However, financial struggles had a bad impact on local clubs, and most teams such as Khazri Buzovna, Shamkir, Vilash Masalli and Shafa Baku went bust due increasing debts.^[1] Also, Qarabağ began to weaken due to financial problems. In 1997, Kapaz were known for their unbeaten run as the club's final record for the 1997–98 league campaign stood at 22 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses, out of 26 games total, an unbeaten run not matched in any single season by any team in an Azerbaijani league division.^[2] In the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup season, Qarabag became the first Azerbaijani club to advance to the next round of the European Cup.

The 2000s

As the league entered a new century, the Neftçi found themselves facing new challengers. They were challenged by emerging Khazar Lankaran, Inter Baku and Baku in both competitions. The country's football received major blow in 2002, when UEFA imposed a two-year ban in response to a long-standing conflict between the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan and majority of the country's top flight clubs.^[3] The domestic championship was abandoned as a result of the conflict and the top clubs prevented their players from playing for the national team, with tax officials also probing allegations of fraud at the Azerbaijan federation.^[4] Under the management of Agaselim Mirjavadov, Khazar Lankaran finished as Azerbaijan Cup winners in 2006 and 2007, while becoming league champions in 2006–07 despite losing the title to Neftçi in 2004–05 during Championship play-off. Qarabağ was the first-ever team from Azerbaijan to reach UEFA Europa League play off-round during the seasons 2009–10 and 2010–11. Few gave chances for qualification to the next round, although the Aghdam side caused quite a stir against favorites Rosenborg, Honka, Twente and Wisła Kraków.

The 2010s

The 2010s brought a bright start, with Neftçi emerging as a champion after six years of unsuccessful run.^[5][6] In the next season, Neftçi repeated its domestic success after sealing its seventh title in club's history.^[7][8] In that year, Neftçi Baku became the first Azerbaijani team to advance to the group stage of a European competition.^[9] In 2012–13 season, Neftçi managed to win three titles in a row.^[10][11] In 2013–14 season, Qarabağ managed to win its 2nd title after 21 years,^[12] and continue to win domestic title consecutively. In 2014, Qarabağ became the second and most successful Azerbaijani team to advance to the group stage of a European competition.^[13] After consecutive participation in the Europa League, in 2017, Qarabağ became the first Azerbaijani team to advance to the group stage of a Champions League.

The 2020s

On 19 June 2020, the AFFA announced that the 2019–20 season had officially ended without the resumption of the remaining matches due to the escalating situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Azerbaijan. As a result, Qarabağ were crowned champions for the seventh season in a row, whilst also qualifying for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League, with Neftçi, Keşla and Sumgayit qualifying for the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League.^[14]

The Azerbaijan Premier League has been expanded to 12 teams for the 2025–26 season due to the direct promotion of three teams from the First Division in 2024–25.

Qualification for European competitions

The champions qualify for the UEFA Champions League, the second and third placed teams qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League. As of the start of the 2020–21 Azerbaijan Premier League season qualification for European competitions is as follows: the champions qualify for the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, runners-up and third placed team qualify for the first qualifying round of the Conference League. A fourth spot is given to the winner of the Azerbaijan Cup, who qualify for the first qualifying round of the Conference League. If the Azerbaijan Cup winner has already qualified for European competition through their league finish, the next highest placed club in the league takes their place.

Stadia and locations

Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.

Performance by club

More information Club, Winners ...

Club	Winners	Runners-up	Third place	Winning years
Qarabağ	12	5	4	1993, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
Neftçi	9	5	7	1992, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2020–21
Kapaz	3	1	2	1994–95, 1997–98, 1998–99
Shamakhi	2	3	4	2007–08, 2009–10
Shamkir	2	2	1	1999–00, 2000–01
Baku	2	2	1	2005–06, 2008–09
Khazar Lankaran	1	3	–	2006–07
Turan Tovuz	1	1	3	1993–94
Sabah	1	1	1	2025–26
Zira	–	3	1	–
Gabala	–	2	3	–
Khazar Sumgayit	–	2	0	–
Karvan	–	1	1	–
Khazri Buzovna	–	1	1	–
Shuvalan	–	1	–	–
Araz-Naxçıvan	–	–	1	–
Sabail	–	–	1	–
Simurq	–	–	1	–
Sumgayit	–	–	1	–
Viləş Masallı	–	–	1	–

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Soviet Top League participation

Attendances

^{* UEFA has suspended the league after longstanding conflict between the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan and the majority of the country's top-flight clubs.[36]}

Sponsorship

The UniBank, who had sponsored the league since 2009, did not renew their sponsorship at the end of the 2011–12 season.^[37][38] Talks began with Topaz betting operator, and a deal was confirmed shortly afterwards.^[39]

• 2009–12: Unibank Premyer Liqası^[40]
• 2012–19: Topaz Premyer Liqası^[41]

In August 2019, cooperation was suspended and PFL announced a new tender for sponsorship.^[42][43]

As well as sponsorship for the league itself, the Premier League has a number of official partners and suppliers. The technical sponsor for the league is Nike who is providing their match ball for the season.^[44]

Insolvency events

Since the APL began, five of its member clubs have entered administration, while nearly twenty clubs have liquidated. ^[45][46] A reduction in revenue from ticket sales for APL games and club merchandise impacted negatively on club expenditures. Players were asked to consider wage cuts and team squads were reduced.

A major criticism of the Premier League in the mid-2000s was the emergence of gulf between the Premier League and the First Division. Criticism of the gap between clubs has continued, nevertheless, due to some clubs' increasing ability to spend more than the other Premier League clubs. For some clubs, including Shamkir, Karvan, Absheron, MKT-Araz who have failed to win immediate promotion back to the top flight, financial problems, including in some cases administration or even liquidation, have followed.

Trophy

The current Azerbaijan Premier League trophy was developed by the Professional Football League of Azerbaijan, and the trophy has been awarded to the champion of Azerbaijan since the end of the 2009–10 season, replacing the previous Premier League trophy that had existed for only a few years.

Monthly and annual

In addition to the winner's Trophy and the individual winner's medal players receive, Azerbaijan Premier League also awards the monthly Player of the Month award. Following the season, the awards such as the Player of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Young Player of the Year from Azerbaijan Premier League are handed out.