Hong Kong Premier League: the pride of Hong Kong football

The highest competition in the football system of Hong Kong has began with alluring games. Learn how the league was born and works in this article with Betimate.

The Premier League in Hong Kong SAR China simplified

This section will help you understand more about the origin and format of the Hong Kong Premier League. 

What is it?

Hong Kong Premier League is the highest division of the Hong Kong football league system, like other Premier League competitions in other countries. The Hong Kong Premier League is a new tournament, with only eight years of existence, from September 2014. The league is governed by the Hong Kong Football Association. 

Hong Kong Premier League is referred to as BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League due to the sponsorship of BOC Life- an assurance company in this country. Each team member of the Hong Kong Premier League has their own reserve team, and these reserve clubs will play against each other in the Hong Kong Reserve Division League. 

Hong Kong Premier League logo

How does it work?

The Hong Kong Premier League originally comprised nine teams. The number of participants was then increased to 11 teams in the 2016-17 season. Since the 2017-18 season, there have been 10 teams competing in the Hong Kong Premier League. 

In this season, there are only eight clubs participating in the Hong Kong Premier League. They play in a round-robin format and scoring system in the regular season, then the top four teams advance to the Championship play-off, while the bottom four teams go into the relegation play-off.

Promotion and relegation system

The champion of the competition will be eligible to enter the second qualifying round of the AFC Champions League. If they lose to qualify for the Champions League, they will have another chance in Hong Kong’s East Asia Zone group stage in the AFC Cup. 

Meanwhile, the team that finishes at the lowest position of the Hong Kong Premier League will be relegated to the second tier, the Hong Kong First Division. And there will also be a slot for the top team from the Hong Kong First Division in the annual Premier League. 

Prize money

The table above has shown us the structure of the prize money for the very first season of the Hong Kong Premier League. This might be changed and increased over time, but there has been no public information about the update in the prize money of this league. 

Titles by clubs

During its short existence, the Hong Kong Premier League has featured only three clubs as the champions of the league. Accordingly, Kitchee has lifted the trophy five times, in 2014-15, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20, and the most recent season 2020-21.

Kitchee defeat R&F 3-2 in HK Premier League

Eastern and Taipo share one time winning the Hong Kong Premier League in the 2015-16 and 2018-19 seasons respectively.

Do not forget to get more tips with Hong Kong Premier League Predictions on Betimate every day!

Reference sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Premier_League