Bangladesh Football League
Bangladeshi association football league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bangladesh Football League (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ ফুটবল লিগ), simply known as the BFL, is the top tier of the Bangladeshi football league system. It is run by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). The Dhaka derby between Dhaka Abahani and Mohammedan is one of the league's most popular matches.[1]
| |
| Organising bodies | Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2 March 2007 |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of clubs | 10 |
| Level on pyramid | 6 |
| Relegation to | Bangladesh Championship League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Super Cup Challenge Cup Federation Cup Independence Cup |
| International cup | AFC Challenge League |
| Current champions | Mohammedan SC (1st title) (2024–25) |
| Most championships | Dhaka Abahani (6 titles) |
| Most appearances |  Nasiruddin Chowdhury (225+) |
| Top scorer |  Sunday Chizoba (132) |
| Broadcaster(s) | T Sports |
| Website | bplfootball.com |
| Current: 2025–26 Bangladesh Football League | |
The BFL superseded the Dhaka Premier Division League which had functioned as the top tier from 1948 to 2006.[2][3][4][5] The league name was changed from Bangladesh Premier League to Bangladesh Football League in 2025[6] because the spelling clashed with the similarly-named cricket league.
History
Origins
Before the establishment of the professional football league, the semi-professional Dhaka Premier Division League functioned as Bangladesh’s top-tier competition from 1993 onward. Prior to that, the Dhaka First Division League (relegated to second-tier status in 1993) was the country's highest level of football from 1948, following the partition of India and even before the Bangladesh's independence. Historically, the Dhaka Football League consisted of three-tiers, with the Pioneer Football League introduced in 1981 as a fourth tier. A separate Fourth Division also briefly existed within the Dhaka League system between 1966 and 1969.
From 2000 to 2006, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) operated the National Football League, the first nationwide open competition. However, despite its national scope, it was considered less prestigious than the regional Dhaka Premier Division League, which remained officially recognized as the top tier until 2007.
Professional league
Founded in 2007 as Bangladesh's first professional national football league, the Bangladesh Football League (BFL) was initially launched as the B.League. It was renamed the Bangladesh League in 2009, and rebranded as the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2012. In 2025, the competition adopted its current name.
The first league match took place on 2 March 2007 between Dhaka Abahani and Muktijoddha Sangsad KC at the National Stadium in Dhaka, ending in a goalless draw.[7] The next day in Khulna, Prashanta Dey scored the first goal in the history of professional football in the country as Khulna Abahani blanked the capital side Rahmatganj MFS 2–0.[8] On 27 March 2007, Alfaz Ahmed netted the first hat-trick in B League history to give Muktijoddha a 4–1 win over Rahmatganj.[9]
Dhaka Abahani have won the league a record six times since 2007. In the 2015–16 season, Dhaka Abahani also became the first team to win the professional league title with an unbeaten record.[10] In the 2023–24 season, Bashundhara Kings became the first team to win five consecutive league titles.[11]
The league was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a limited program of matches was in place through 2021. On 12 February 2022, it was announced that the league would return to its normal home-and-away format.[12]
Competition format
Competition
There are 10 clubs in the BFL as of the 2025–26 season. During the course of a season (from September to April) each club plays the others twice (a double round-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for 18 games. The winning team in a match shall be awarded 3 points, with the losing team receiving no point. If the match ends in a draw, each team shall receive 1 point. The number of goals scored and conceded by each team shall also be recorded.
At the end of the season, the ranking of teams shall be determined first by the total number of points won.
In situations where 2 teams are equal on points for the champion or bottom positions, a play-off shall be held. Both teams shall play one home and one away match. If the teams remain level on points after the second leg, extra time of two periods of 15 minutes each shall be played as part of the second-leg match. If still tied after extra time, kicks from the penalty mark shall determine the winner. The play-off match or matches shall be organized within 7 days of the last league match.
In situations where more than 2 teams are tied on points for the champion or bottom positions, their rankings shall be determined in the following order:[13]
- Greater number of points obtained in league matches between the tied teams;
- Goal difference from league matches between the tied teams;
- Greater number of goals scored in league matches between the tied teams;
- Goal difference in all league matches;
- Fewer disciplinary points based on yellow and red cards (Yellow Card = 1 point; Two Yellows leading to Red = 2 points; Direct Red = 3 points; Yellow + Direct Red = 4 points);
- Toss of a coin.
For all other league positions, if teams are equal on points, ranking shall be determined first by goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded in all matches). If still equal, the team with the greater number of goals scored shall rank higher. If still equal, the team with fewer disciplinary points (same card scoring system as above) shall rank higher. If still equal after all criteria, ranking shall be determined by a toss of a coin.
Promotion and relegation
A system of promotion and relegation has existed between the Bangladesh Football League and the Bangladesh Championship League since 2012. Each season, the two lowest-placed teams in the Bangladesh Football League are relegated to the, second-tier professional league, the Championship League, while the top two teams from the Championship League are promoted to the top tier, only if they meet the BFF Club Licensing Regulations for the following season.[14]
Before 2012, the winners of the Dhaka Senior Division League were expected to earn promotion to the professional league. However, Senior Division clubs were unable to obtain the necessary professional league licenses, which meant that promotion and relegation did not function consistently until the 2011–12 season. Notably, in 2009, the lone edition of the Bashundhara Club Cup Championship took place, with the champions and runners-up granted entry into the 2009–10 edition.[15]
- Relegation Summary
Bold indicates that the club withdrew from participating in the second-tier the following season.
Player regulations
As of the 2025–26 season each participating club is entitled to register a maximum of thirty-six players, including a minimum of three goalkeepers. Clubs may register up to five foreign players, with no more than three permitted on the pitch simultaneously. In addition, teams may register up to four SAARC players, all of whom are classified as local and eligible to play. The rules also require each club to include five age-level local players in its squad, with at least one mandated to appear in the starting eleven for every match. The season also saw the removal of the AFC player quota that had been implemented since 2018–19.[16][17]
In both the 2023–24 season and 2024–25 season, clubs were allowed to register up to a maximum of six foreign players.[18] If a club registered more than five foreign players, then the sixth had to be from an Asian Football Confederation (AFC)-affiliated Member Association. Additionally, in the 2024–25 season, amidst political unrest, clubs were permitted to register a maximum of forty players including foreign players. Between the 2018–19 and 2021–22 seasons, a maximum of four foreign players were allowed, with the fourth required to be from an AFC-affiliated Member Association.[c]
In the 2010 season, the foreign quota was set at five players; however, after numerous national players were benched throughout the campaign, the Professional League Committee reduced the quota to four players from the 2011–12 season.[20] The foreign quota was further reduced to three players from the 2014–15 season.[21] In the 2015–16 season, clubs were allowed to register four foreign players, with three permitted on the pitch simultaneously. In the 2017–18 season, the quota was reduced back to three players; however, only two were eligible to play in a match at the same time.[22]
Clubs
Champions
| Club |
Winner | Runners–up | Winning seasons | Runners–up seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka Abahani | 6 | 5 | 2007, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2015–16, 2017–18 | 2013–14, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2024–25 |
| Bashundhara Kings | 5 | 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 | ||
| Sheikh Jamal DC | 3 | 3 | 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15 | 2012–13, 2017–18, 2020–21 |
| Mohammedan SC | 1 | 4 | 2024–25 | 2007, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2023–24 |
| Sheikh Russel KC | 1 | 1 | 2012–13 | 2014–15 |
| Muktijoddha SKC | 2 | 2010, 2011–12 | ||
| Chittagong Abahani | 1 | 2015–16 |
Italics indicate former champions of the Bangladesh Football League who are currently outside the competition.
2025–26 season
|
Locations of the 2025–26 Bangladesh Football League teams |
  PWD SC── Location of the club tents and stadiums
|
All-time BFL table
The all-time BFL table is an overall record of all match results, points, and goals of every team that has played in BFL since its inception in 2007. The table is accurate to the end of the 2024–25 season. Teams in bold are part of the 2025–26 season. Numbers in bold are the record (highest either positive or negative) numbers in each column.[40]
| Pos. | Club | Seasons | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Debut | Since/Last App. | Relegated | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhaka Abahani | 17 | 745 | 345 | 222 | 79 | 44 | 692 | 261 | +431 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2007 | 2007 | 1 | |
| 2 | Dhaka Mohammedan | 17 | 592 | 345 | 163 | 103 | 79 | 584 | 350 | +234 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2007 | 2007 | 1 | |
| 3 | Sheikh Russel KC | 16 | 537 | 327 | 150 | 87 | 90 | 497 | 349 | +148 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2007 | 2023–24 | 1 | |
| 4 | Sheikh Jamal DC | 13 | 469 | 262 | 132 | 73 | 57 | 474 | 313 | +161 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2010 | 2023–24 | 1 | |
| 5 | Muktijoddha Sangsad KC | 15 | 391 | 308 | 107 | 70 | 131 | 384 | 405 | −21 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2007 | 2022–23 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | Chittagong Abahani | 15 | 349 | 309 | 90 | 82 | 138 | 330 | 469 | −139 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2007 | 2024–25 | 2 | 2 |
| 7 | Brothers Union Ltd. | 15 | 348 | 302 | 85 | 93 | 124 | 376 | 465 | −89 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2007 | 2020–21 | 1 | 4 |
| 8 | Bashundhara Kings | 7 | 327 | 132 | 103 | 18 | 11 | 322 | 95 | +227 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2018–19 | 2018–19 | 1 | |
| 9 | Rahmatganj MFS | 15 | 289 | 302 | 69 | 82 | 151 | 348 | 531 | −183 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2007 | 2014–15 | 1 | 4 |
| 10 | Arambagh KS | 11 | 221 | 219 | 56 | 53 | 110 | 224 | 349 | −125 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2007 | 2020–21 | 2 | 5 |
| 11 | Saif SC | 5 | 180 | 98 | 53 | 21 | 24 | 184 | 119 | +65 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2017–18 | 2021–22 | 3 | |
| 12 | Team BJMC | 7 | 167 | 151 | 41 | 44 | 66 | 178 | 214 | −36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2010 | 2018–19 | 1 | 4 |
| 13 | Bangladesh Police FC | 6 | 148 | 107 | 40 | 28 | 39 | 145 | 143 | +2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2019–20 | 2019–20 | 3 | |
| 14 | Feni SC | 7 | 136 | 151 | 30 | 46 | 75 | 143 | 232 | −89 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2009–10 | 2015–16 | 1 | 4 |
| 15 | Farashganj SC | 7 | 131 | 148 | 28 | 47 | 73 | 123 | 221 | −98 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2007 | 2017–18 | 3 | 6 |
| 16 | Chittagong Mohammedan | 4 | 99 | 86 | 24 | 27 | 35 | 81 | 116 | −35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2007 | 2010 | 1 | 5 |
| 17 | Fortis FC | 3 | 74 | 56 | 17 | 23 | 16 | 68 | 63 | +5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2022–23 | 2022–23 | 5 | |
| 18 | Uttar Baridhara Club | 5 | 64 | 100 | 14 | 22 | 64 | 98 | 256 | −158 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2013–14 | 2021–22 | 3 | 10 |
| 19 | Khulna Abahani | 2 | 21 | 40 | 5 | 6 | 29 | 31 | 102 | −71 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2007 | 2008–09 | 1 | 9 |
| 20 | NoFeL SC | 1 | 20 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 23 | 42 | −19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2018–19 | 2018–19 | 1 | 12 |
| 21 | Narayanganj SS | 1 | 20 | 24 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 35 | −23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2009–10 | 2009–10 | 1 | 12 |
| 22 | Fakirerpool YMC | 1 | 19 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 23 | 54 | −31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2024–25 | 2024-25 | 8 | |
| 23 | Beanibazar SC | 1 | 17 | 24 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 43 | −24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2009–10 | 2009–10 | 1 | 13 |
| 24 | Swadhinata KS | 1 | 10 | 22 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 22 | 50 | −28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2021–22 | 2021–22 | 1 | 12 |
| 25 | Dhaka Wanderers | 1 | 10 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 14 | 55 | −41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2024–25 | 2024–25 | 1 | 9 |
| 26 | AFC Uttara | 1 | 5 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 56 | −46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2022–23 | 2022–23 | 1 | 11 |
| 27 | PWD SC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2025–26 | 2025–26 |
League or status prior to the 2025–26 season:
| 2025–26 Bangladesh Football League teams | |
| 2025–26 Bangladesh Championship League teams | |
| Dhaka Senior Division League teams | |
| Currently inactive | |
| Defunct clubs |
Statistics
Seasonal statistics
- As of 29th May, 2025[40]
| Season | Total Goals | Matches played | Average per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 273 | 110 | 2.48 |
| 2008–09 | 280 | 110 | 2.54 |
| 2009–10 | 391 | 156 | 2.50 |
| 2010 | 334 | 132 | 2.55 |
| 2011–12 | 295 | 110 | 2.68 |
| 2012–13 | 162 | 72 | 2.25 |
| 2013–14 | 382 | 135 | 2.82 |
| 2014–15 | 332 | 110 | 3.01 |
| 2015–16 | 342 | 132 | 2.59 |
| 2017–18 | 302 | 132 | 2.28 |
| 2018–19 | 439 | 156 | 2.81 |
| 95 | 36 | 2.64 | |
| 2020–21 | 472 | 156 | 3.03 |
| 2021–22 | 447 | 132 | 3.39 |
| 2022–23 | 324 | 110 | 2.95 |
| 2023–24 | 263 | 90 | 2.92 |
| 2024–25 | 282 | 90 | 3.13 |
Head coaches
In terms of coaching performance, after the first 17 seasons of the BFL, Bangladeshi head coaches have won it 7 times while foreign head coaches have won it 9 times and one season was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Pakir Ali of Sri Lanka was the first foreign head coach to win the BFL while the second coach was Ali Akbar Pourmoslemi of Iran. Spaniard Óscar Bruzón has the most BFL championships at five and was the most recent foreign coach to win the title in the 2023–24 season.
Amalesh Sen was the first Bangladeshi coach to win the BFL in the league's opening season and he has won BFL championships three times. Maruful Haque, Atiqur Rahman Atique and Alfaz Ahmed are the only other Bangladeshi coaches to have won the Bangladesh Football League.
| Head coach | Club(s) | Win(s) | Winning season(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
 Óscar Bruzón |
Bashundhara Kings | 5 | 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
| Amalesh Sen |
Dhaka Abahani | 3 | 2007, 2008–09, 2009–10 |
| Maruful Haque |
Sheikh Russel KC Sheikh Jamal DC |
2 | 2012–13 2013–14 |
 Pakir Ali |
Sheikh Jamal DC | 1 | 2010 |
 Ali Akbar Pourmoslemi |
Dhaka Abahani | 1 | 2011–12 |
| Joseph Afusi |
Sheikh Jamal DC | 1 | 2014–15 |
 György Kottán |
Dhaka Abahani | 1 | 2015–16 |
| Atiqur Rahman Atiq |
Dhaka Abahani | 1 | 2017–18 |
| Alfaz Ahmed |
Dhaka Mohammedan | 1 | 2024–25 |
Top scorers
- As of 25 November 2025
Bold indicates a player still active in the Bangladesh Football League. Italics indicates a player still active outside the Bangladesh Football League.
| Rank | Player | Club(s) | Years active | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday Chizoba |
Dhaka Mohammedan (12), Muktijoddha Sangsad KC (30), Sheikh Jamal DC (7), Dhaka Abahani (71), Rahmatganj MFS (12) | 2012–2014, 2015–2022 | 132 |
| 2 |  Souleymane Diabate |
Dhaka Mohammedan (96), Dhaka Abahani (1) | 2018–present | 97 |
| 3 | Zahid Hasan Ameli |
Dhaka Abahani (25), Dhaka Mohammedan (30), Sheikh Jamal DC (6), Sheikh Russel KC (12), Muktijoddha Sangsad KC (5), Chittagong Abahani (0), Brothers Union (0) | 2007–2021 | 78 |
| 4 |  Ismael Bangoura |
Team BJMC (39), Dhaka Mohammedan (21), Rahmatganj MFS (4), NoFeL SC (12), Muktijoddha Sangsad KC (0) | 2011–2020 | 76 |
| 5 | Kingsley Chigozie |
Brothers Union (39), Muktijoddha Sangsad KC (17), Sheikh Russel KC (3), Dhaka Mohammedan (13), Chittagong Abahani (3) | 2010–2020 | 75 |
Awards and records
Awards
| Edition | Best Player | Club | Best Goalkeeper | Club | Young Player | Club | Best Coach | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007[41] | Zahid Hasan Ameli |
Dhaka Abahani | None | |||||
| 2018–19 |  Daniel Colindres |
Bashundhara Kings | Ashraful Islam Rana |
Sheikh Russel KC | Rabiul Hasan |
Arambagh KS | None | |
| 2020–21[42] |  Robson Robinho |
Bashundhara Kings | Anisur Rahman Zico |
Bashundhara Kings | Nihat Jaman Ucchash |
Arambagh KS | None | |
| 2023–24 | Rakib Hossain |
Bashundhara Kings | Ahsan Habib Bipu[43] |
Bangladesh Police FC | None | |||
| 2024–25[44] | Souleymane Diabate |
Dhaka Mohammedan | Mitul Marma |
Dhaka Abahani | None | Alfaz Ahmed |
Dhaka Mohammedan | |
Sponsorship
| Period | Sponsor | Name | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–10 | Citycell | Citycell B.League Citycell Bangladesh League |
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) signed a record three-year partnership deal with Citycell worth Tk 16.5 crores.
Citycell was the co-sponsor for the Federation Cup, the B. League and the School football tournament across the country. |
[45][46] |
| 2010–13 | Grameenphone | Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League | [47] | |
| 2013–14 | Nitol-Tata | Nitol-Tata Bangladesh Premier Football League | Nitol-Tata Group sponsored the Bangladesh Premier League after 35 matches into the ongoing league. | [3][48] |
| 2014–15 | Manyavar | Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League | Besides Manyavar, KFC, Pragati Insurance, Amber Group and Treasurer had joined the country's professional football league as co-sponsors. | [49][50][51] |
| 2015–16 | JB Group | JB Bangladesh Premier League | JB group had bought the title rights for Tk 4 crores. | [52][53][54][55] |
| 2016–18 | Saif Power Battery | SAIF Power Battery Bangladesh Premier League | Saif Power Battery bought the title rights for Tk 1.5 crores. | [52] |
| 2018–22 | TVS | TVS Bangladesh Premier League | BFF inked a one-year deal with TVS after finishing first leg of season. | [56][57][58][59] |
| 2023–25 | Bashundhara Group | ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League | [60] | |
| 2025–present | United Group | United Healthcare Bangladesh Football League | [61] | |
Media coverage
132 matches of season 2015–2016 were broadcast live at BTV World and Boishakhi TV, also live commentary was produced by Radio Next FM.[62] Every match of this league has been streaming live on BFF's page Archived 30 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine of Mycujoo platform from 2018 to 2019 season. Bangla TV started broadcasting selected matches of the BPL 2018–19 matches live from 9 May 2019.[57] The first sports channel of Bangladesh T sports started to broadcast the matches of BPL 2020–21 from 13 January 2021.
Stadiums
| Abahani Limited | Arambagh KS | Bangladesh Police FC | Bashundhara Kings | Brothers Union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheed Dhirendranath Stadium, Comilla | Shaheed Miraj–Tapan Stadium, Manikganj | Shaheed Barkat Stadium, Gazipur | Bashundhara Kings Arena, Dhaka | Munshiganj Stadium, Munshigonj |
| Capacity: 18,000 | Capacity: 5,000 | Capacity: 5,000 | Capacity: 6,000 | Capacity: 10,000 |
 |
 |
 | ||
| Fakirerpool | Fortis FC | Mohammedan SC | PWD SC | Rahmatganj MFS |
| Shaheed Miraj–Tapan Stadium, Manikganj | Bashundhara Kings Arena, Dhaka | Shaheed Dhirendranath Stadium, Comilla | Shaheed Barkat Stadium, Gazipur | Munshiganj Stadium, Munshigonj |
| Capacity: 5,000 | Capacity: 6,000 | Capacity: 18,000 | Capacity: 5,000 | Capacity: 10,000 |
|
|
|
BFL clubs in Asia
Continental qualification
Bangladesh Football League teams can qualify for the Asian club competitions – the AFC Challenge League qualifying play-offs – through their performance in the league. Before the 2012–13 season Bangladeshi clubs were only allowed entry to the now defunct AFC President's Cup, which was a competition targeted for emerging football nations. Since the 2021–22 season the league winners are allowed entry to the qualifying play-offs of the AFC Champions League.[63]
Abahani Limited Dhaka was the first Bangladesh Football League club to club to play in Asian competition when they participated in the 2008 AFC President's Cup. The club qualified for the competition, after winning the first edition of the league in 2007. The first six seasons of the league Bangladeshi clubs only participated in the AFC President's Cup, until Sheikh Russel KC the winners of the 2012–13 league season were given entry 2015 AFC Cup qualifying play-off. The winners of the 2013–14 season of the league Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, were the first Football League club to be given direct entry into the AFC Cup, during the 2016 AFC Cup.[citation needed]
In July 2022, it was confirmed that Bashundhara Kings, the winners of the 2021–22 league season will partake in the AFC Champions League Play-off round, while holding an automatic place in the AFC Cup group stages if they are unable to advance past the play-offs. Meanwhile, the runner-up of the league will take part in the qualifiers of the AFC Cup or will directly qualify for the competition if the league winners advance past the AFC Champions League play-offs. The league's third place team along with the Federation Cup champions, will remain standby for the AFC Cup Play-off round if the league winners succeed to qualify for the AFC Champions League main stage.[64]
On 23 December 2022, it was announced that the AFC competition structure would change from the established formats from the 2024–25 season. A new third-tier tournament called the AFC Challenge League would be introduced.[65][66] Later The Entry Regulations document was ratified by the Executive Committee on October 19, 2023, and came into force immediately for the 2024–25 season. Bangladesh has been given only a play-off slot according to their club competitions ranking[67] and the champions of 2023–24 season BFL, Bashundhara Kings, competed for 2024–25 AFC Challenge League. The league's runner's up team along with the Federation Cup champions, will remain standby for the AFC Challenge League Play-off round if the league winners doesn't have a AFC Club Licence.
- As of 15 June 2025
| Ranking | Member association | Club points | ACLE 2025–26 (GS+PO) |
ACL2 2025–26 (GS+PO) |
ACGL 2025–26 (GS+PO) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24[68] | 2022[69] | Mvmt | Region | Region Mvmt | 2015[70] | 2016[71] | 2017[72] | 2018[73] | 2019[74] | 2021[75] | 2022[76] | 2023-24[77] | Total | ||||
| 22 | 19 |  -3 | W 14 | -3 |  Kuwait |
9.500 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 3.433 | 7.070 | 4.160 | 3.165 | 17.818 | – | – | 1+1 |
| 23 | 24 |  +1 | E 9 | +1 |  Singapore |
0.500 | 4.500 | 5.138 | 5.617 | 4.133 | 0.000 | 3.253 | 3.640 | 17.350 | – | 2+0 | – |
| 24 | 27 | +3 | W 15 |  0 | Bangladesh |
0.000 | 1.000 | 1.333 | 1.433 | 6.933 | 2.790 | 3.760 | 4.730 | 17.125 | – | – | 0+2 |
| 25 | 21 | -4 | E 10 | -1 |  Philippines |
1.667 | 4.667 | 8.120 | 5.843 | 4.782 | 2.600 | 0.300 | 0.600 | 16.230 | – | 2+0 | – |
| 26 | 23 | -3 | W 16 | -2 |  Syria |
6.833 | 5.333 | 5.933 | 2.000 | 3.133 | 1.785 | 2.890 | 1.400 | 15.972 | – | – | 0+2 |
BFL clubs in AFC tournament
| BFL Season | Tier–1 | Position | Tier–2 | Position | Tier–3 | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Group stage (2008) |
| 2008–09 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Group stage (2009) |
| 2009–10 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Group stage (2010) |
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Group stage (2011) | |
| 2010 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Sheikh Jamal DC | Withdrew (2012) |
| 2011–12 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Group stage (2013) |
| 2012–13 | N/a | N/a | Sheikh Russel KC | Preliminary round (2015) | Sheikh Russel KC | Final stage (2014) |
| 2013–14 | N/a | N/a | Sheikh Jamal DC | Group stage (2016) | N/a | N/a |
| 2014–15 | N/a | N/a | Sheikh Russel KC[d] | Qualifying round (2017) | N/a | N/a |
| 2015–16 | N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Group stage (2017) | N/a | N/a |
| 2017–18 | N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Group stage (2018) | N/a | N/a |
| N/a | N/a | Saif SC[e] | Preliminary round (2018) | N/a | N/a | |
| 2018–19 | N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani[f] | Inter-zone semi-finals (2019) | N/a | N/a |
| N/a | N/a | Bashundhara Kings | Cancelled (2020) | N/a | N/a | |
| N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Preliminary round 2 (2020) | N/a | N/a | |
| 2019–20[g] | N/a | N/a | Bashundhara Kings | Group stage (2021) | N/a | N/a |
| N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Withdrew (2021) | N/a | N/a | |
| 2020–21 | N/a | N/a | Bashundhara Kings | Group stage (2022) | N/a | N/a |
| N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani[h] | Play-off round (2022) | N/a | N/a | |
| 2021–22 | N/a | N/a | Bashundhara Kings | Group stage (2023–24) | N/a | N/a |
| N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani | Play-off round (2023–24) | N/a | N/a | |
| 2022–23 | Bashundhara Kings | Preliminary round (2023–24) | Bashundhara Kings | Group stage (2023–24) | N/a | N/a |
| 2023–24 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Bashundhara Kings | Group stage (2024–25) |
| 2024–25 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Dhaka Abahani[i] | Preliminary stage (2025–26) |
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Bashundhara Kings[j] | Group stage (2025–26) | |
See also
Notes
- Arambagh KS demoted to the Senior Division League for two years after their involvement in live betting, spot fixing, match manipulation and online betting in three league matches.
- Uttar Baridhara demoted to the Second Division League (eventually given entry to the Senior Division League) after their involvement in spot fixing, match manipulation and online betting in two league matches.
- In the eventually abandoned 2019–20 season, clubs were allowed to register five foreign players, with the fifth required to come from an AFC-affiliated Member Association.[19]
- Sheikh Russel KC, runners-up, replaced 2014–15 league champions, Sheikh Jamal DC, who withdrew.[78]
- Runners-up, Sheikh Jamal DC, and third-place, Chittagong Abahani, failed to obtain AFC club license, therefore, fourth-place, Saif SC qualified, having met the licensing requirements.[79]
- as Federation Cup winners
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, the 2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League was cancelled and declared null and void by the Bangladesh Football Federation.[80] The teams from Bangladesh playing in the 2021 AFC Cup were determined by the results of the previous domestic season (2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League).[81]
- Runners-up, Sheikh Jamal DC failed to obtain an AFC license, therefore, third-place, Dhaka Abahani qualified, having met the licensing requirements.[82]
- Champions, Dhaka Mohammedan failed to obtain an AFC license, therefore, runners-up, Dhaka Abahani qualified, having met the licensing requirements.[83]