Cambodian Premier League

Cambodian Premier League
Organising bodyCambodian Football League Company (CFLC)
Founded1982; 43 years ago (1982) (as Cambodian League) (Semi-Professional League)
2005; 20 years ago (2005) (as Metfone Cambodian League)
2022; 3 years ago (2022) (as Cambodian Premier League)
Country Cambodia
ConfederationAFC
Number of clubs11
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toCambodian League 2
Domestic cups
League cupCambodian League Cup
International cups
Current championsPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng (4th title)
(2024–25)
Most championshipsPhnom Penh Crown (8 titles)
Top scorerChan Vathanaka
(143 goals)
Broadcaster(s)BTV Cambodia
Websitecpl-cambodia.com
Current: 2025–26 Cambodian Premier League

The Cambodian Premier League (Khmer: លីគកំពូលកម្ពុជា, Lik Kampul Kampuchea [lik kɑmˈpuːl ˌkampuˈciə]) is a top association football division in Cambodia and administered by the Cambodian Football League Company (CFLC).[1] Contested by 11 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Cambodian League 2.

History

Origins

The first domestic football national championship in Cambodia was first established in 1982 during the People's Republic of Kampuchea years. The competing clubs were primarily based on the Soviet model of official amateur teams formed by ministries, the police, army and other state owned enterprises.[2]

In the 2000s, the Cambodian League or C-League was brought about and was rebranded as the Metfone Cambodian League or Metfone C-League at the start of the 2005 season, courtesy of corporate sponsorship of the league's name. Over the course of the following years, the standard of professionalism would change with clubs being formed and clubs being sponsored by corporate entities. In 2018, it was announced that all clubs participating in the league would be required to have access to their own stadium before the start of the 2019 season. This was an attempt by the Football Federation of Cambodia to help further modernize football in Cambodia. In past seasons, many of the league's clubs have shared the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium or the Old Stadium.[3] Since its inception as an official professional league in 2005, a total of 36 clubs have competed. 6 clubs have been crowned champions, with Phnom Penh Crown winning the title a record 8 times.[4]

Cambodian Premier League

In October 2021, Satoshi Saito, the former international marketer for FC Barcelona of La Liga, was announced as the CEO of the Cambodian Football League Company (CFLC) which would take over the Metfone C-League's administrative and financial duties and establish the league as Cambodian Premier League starting with the 2022 season.[5]

The Cambodia Classic Match

The Cambodia Classic Match is given to the rivalry between Phnom Penh Crown and Boeung Ket. On February 6, 2012, both teams met for the first time.[6]

First invincible

Boeung Ket won the 2020 league season by head-to-head record against 2019 league season champion, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, despite remaining unbeaten the whole season, setting up a record in the Cambodian League.[7]

Sponsorship

PeriodSponsorBrand
1982–2004Cambodian League
2005–2021MetfoneMetfone Cambodian League or Metfone C-League[8][9]
2022–Metfone[10]Cambodian Premier League[11]

The Cambodian Premier League does not have a title sponsor; however, it is sponsored by a group of multinational corporations.

The current tournament is sponsored by:

Clubs

2024–25 season

class=notpageimage|
Locations of the 2023–24 Cambodian Premier League teams

The 2023–24 Cambodian Premier League season has welcomed fresh teams and faces, with Prey Veng Football Club and ISI Dangkor Senchey joining the league. These teams met the demanding national club license requirements, joining stalwarts like Phnom Penh Crown and Visakha Football Club. Despite being the 2022 second league champions, EDC Club Premium did not join the top tier this season due to not meeting the comprehensive licensing criteria. Prey Veng and ISI Dangkor Senchey have expressed their readiness for the league, with ISI Dangkor Senchey notably announcing seven new signings.[12]

For the 2024–25 Cambodian Premier League Life and Ministry of Interior FA also joining the league too.

ClubLocationStadiumCapacityPrevious seasonLast Cambodian Premier League title
Angkor TigerSiem Reap ProvinceAkihiro Kato Stadium2,000Cambodian Premier League (6th)-
Boeung KetPhnom PenhOlympic National Stadium50,000Cambodian Premier League (4th)2020
ISI Dangkor SencheyPhnom PenhAIA Stadium KMH Park3,000Cambodian Premier League (7th)-
Kirivong Sok Sen CheyTakeo ProvinceKirivong Sok Sen Chey Stadium500Cambodian Premier League (9th)-
Life SihanoukvilleSihanoukvilleLife Stadium3,000Cambodian Premier League (10th)
MOI Kompong DewaSihanoukvillePrince Stadium15,000Cambodian Premier League (11th)-
NagaworldKampong Speu ProvinceKampong Speu Stadium3,000Cambodian Premier League (5th)2018
Phnom Penh CrownPhnom PenhSmart RSN Stadium5,010Cambodian Premier League (2nd)2022
Preah Khan Reach Svay RiengSvay Rieng ProvinceSvay Rieng Stadium4,000Cambodian Premier League (1st)2024–25
Royal Cambodian Armed ForcesPhnom PenhRCAF Old Stadium8,000Cambodian Premier League (8th)-
VisakhaPhnom PenhPrince Stadium15,000Cambodian Premier League (3rd)-

Former clubs

ClubLocationLatest year
in top flight
Albirex Niigata Phnom PenhPhnom Penh2014
Asia Euro UnitedPhnom Penh2021
Bati AcademyTakeo Province2020
Build Bright UnitedPhnom Penh2015
CMAC UnitedPhnom Penh2017
Electricite du CambodgePhnom Penh2021
Kampong ChamKampong Cham Province2019
Khemara KeilaPhnom Penh2010
Prey VengPrey Veng2024
Soltilo AngkorSiem Reap Province2021
Western Phnom PenhPhnom Penh2018

Championship history

Cambodian League (1982–2004)

  1. ^ Currently known as Phnom Penh Crown.
  2. ^ Currently known as Nagaworld.
SeasonChampionsRunners-up
Metfone Cambodian League (2005–2021)
2005Khemera KeilaHello United[a]
2006Khemera KeilaNagacorp
2007Nagacorp[b]Khemera Keila
2008Phnom Penh Empire[c]National Defense
2009NagacorpKhemera Keila
2010Phnom Penh CrownPreah Khan Reach
2011Phnom Penh CrownNagacorp
2012Boeung Ket Rubber Field[d]Nagacorp
2013Svay Rieng[e]Boeung Ket Rubber Field
2014Phnom Penh CrownBoeung Ket Rubber Field
2015Phnom Penh CrownPhnom Penh Crown
2016Boeung Ket Angkor[f]National Defense Ministry
2017Boeung Ket AngkorPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2018NagaworldBoeung Ket
2019Preah Khan Reach Svay RiengVisakha
2020Boeung KetPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2021Phnom Penh CrownPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
Cambodian Premier League (2022–present)
2022Phnom Penh CrownVisakha
2023–24Preah Khan Reach Svay RiengPhnom Penh Crown
2024–25Preah Khan Reach Svay RiengPhnom Penh Crown

  1. ^ Currently known as Phnom Penh Crown.
  2. ^ Currently known as Nagaworld.
  3. ^ Currently known as Phnom Penh Crown.
  4. ^ Currently known as Boeung Ket.
  5. ^ Currently known as Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng.
  6. ^ Currently known as Boeung Ket.

Titles by club

ClubsChampions Winning seasonRunners-up Runners-up seasons
Phnom Penh Crown82002, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2021, 202232005, 2023–24, 2024–25
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng42013, 2019, 2023–24, 2024–2532010, 2020, 2021
Nagaworld42004, 2007, 2009, 201842006, 2011, 2012, 2015
Boeung Ket42012, 2016, 2017, 202032013, 2014, 2018
Tiffy Army31985, 1986, 199332008, 2016, 2017
Khemara Keila (defunct)22005, 200622007, 2009
MOI Kompong Dewa120000
Visakha022019, 2022

Source: rsssf.org[13]

Awards

Prize money

Champion50,000 USD
Runner-up26,000 USD
Third place18,000 USD
Fourth place15,500 USD

Source:[14]

Coach of the season

SeasonCoachClub
2024–25Spain Pep MuñozPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2023–24Spain Pep MuñozPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2022Ukraine Oleg StarynskyiPhnom Penh Crown
2021Ukraine Oleg StarynskyiPhnom Penh Crown
2020Cambodia Kim PheakdeyBoeung Ket
2019Republic of Ireland Conor NestorPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2018Cambodia Meas ChannaNagaworld
2017Cambodia Hao SocheatBoeung Ket
2016Cambodia Tep LongrachanaNational Defense Ministry
2015Cambodia Prak SovannaraBoeung Ket Angkor
2014Cambodia Ung KanyanithNational Police Commissary
2013Cambodia Sam VandetSvay Rieng
2012Cambodia Prak VuthyBoeung Ket Rubber Field

Top scorer of the season

SeasonScorerClubGoals
2024–25CambodiaColombia Andres NietoPhnom Penh Crown21
2023–24Canada Marcus HaberPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng31
2022Canada Marcus HaberPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng25
2021Brazil Márcio MarquesNagaworld22
2020Cameroon Privat MbargaPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng16
2019Cameroon Privat MbargaPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng36
2018Nigeria George BisanNagaworld28
2017Rwanda Atuheire KipsonNagaworld28
2016Cambodia Chan VathanakaBoeung Ket Angkor22
2015Cambodia Chan VathanakaBoeung Ket Angkor37
2014Nigeria Dzarma BataSvay Rieng23
2013Cambodia Khoun LaboravySvay Rieng20
2012Nigeria Friday NwakunaBoeung Ket Rubber Field20
2011Nigeria Julius OibohNagaworld28
2010Nigeria Julius Chukwuma OnoniwuKirivong25
2009Nigeria Justine Uche PrinceSpark21
2008Cambodia Khim BoreyNational Defense Ministry18
2005Cambodia Hok SochivornHello United22

Player of the season

SeasonPlayerClub
2024–25CambodiaColombia Andres NietoPhnom Penh Crown
2023–24Canada Marcus HaberPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2022Canada Marcus HaberPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2021Cameroon Privat MbargaPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2020Cambodia Mat NoronBoeung Ket
2019Cameroon Privat MbargaPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2018North Korea Choe Myong-hoVisakha
2017Cambodia Chrerng PolrothNational Defense Ministry
2016Cambodia Chan VathanakaBoeung Ket Angkor
2015Cambodia Chan VathanakaBoeung Ket Angkor
2014Cambodia Chan VathanakaBoeung Ket Rubber Field
2013Cambodia Khoun LaboravySvay Rieng
2012Cambodia Keo SokngonBoeung Ket Rubber Field

Goalkeeper of the season

SeasonGoalkeeperClub
2024–25Cambodia Vireak DaraPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2023–24Cambodia Vireak DaraPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2022Cambodia Saveng SamnangPhnom Penh Crown
2021Cambodia Saveng SamnangPhnom Penh Crown
2020Cambodia Hul KimhuyBoeung Ket
2019Cambodia Aim SovannarathPreah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
2018Cambodia Samrith SeihaNagaworld
2017Cambodia Sou YatyBoeung Ket
2016Cambodia Um SereyrothNational Defense Ministry
2015Cambodia Keo SokselaPhnom Penh Crown
2014Cambodia Sou YatyPhnom Penh Crown
2013Cambodia Aim SovannarathSvay Rieng
2012Cambodia Peng BunchayBoeung Ket Rubber Field

Records

All-time hat-tricks

RankCountryPlayerHat-tricks
1CameroonPrivat Mbarga6
2CanadaMarcus Haber5
BrazilMarcio Marques
CambodiaChan Vathanaka
5NigeriaGeorge Bisan4
6South AfricaShane Booysen3
JapanTakumu Nishihara
CambodiaMat Noron
NigeriaTimothy Okereke

All-time clean sheets

RankCountryPlayerClean sheets
1CambodiaSou Yaty37
2CambodiaKeo Soksela23
CambodiaUm Vichet
3CambodiaUm Sereyroth20

AFC ranking

As of 18 May 2025[15]
RankingMember association
(L: League, C: Cup, LC: League cup)		Club pointsTotal2026–27 Competition
2024–252023–24MvmtRegion2016
(×0.3)		2017
(×0.4)		2018
(×0.5)		2019
(×0.6)		2021
(×0.7)		2022
(×0.8)		2023–24
(×0.9)		2024–25
(×1.0)		ACL EliteACL TwoChallenge
2020Same position —W 11Turkmenistan Turkmenistan (L, C)2.0004.4837.5835.2673.1252.6403.4637.45024.21100+11+0
2123Rise +2W 12Kuwait Kuwait (L, C)0.0000.0000.0003.4337.0704.1603.1658.07521.26000+11+0
2221Fall –1W 13Lebanon Lebanon (L, C)6.3330.8333.9336.9332.6701.5254.8404.50020.304001+0
2330Rise +7E 10Cambodia Cambodia (L, C)0.0001.6832.2501.0000.0002.0705.62011.00020.11201+10
2416Fall –8W 14Tajikistan Tajikistan (L, C)0.33312.9004.4333.0004.9702.4932.2303.27620.033000+1
2528Rise +3E 11Indonesia Indonesia (L, C)0.0000.0004.1005.0450.0003.9603.5607.20418.65300+10+1
2627Rise +1W 15Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan (L)0.0001.4000.1502.4330.8350.56511.8304.60018.378000+1
2725Fall –2E 12Philippines Philippines (L, C)4.6678.1205.8434.7822.6000.3000.6003.66716.70600+10+1

References

  1. ^ "New company formed to develop the C- League". October 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "New Cambodian Premier League set to revolutionise football in the country". January 27, 2022. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  3. ^ "New C-League season details revealed". March 7, 2019.
  4. ^ "Phnom Penh Crown wins 2021 Metfone Cambodian League title". November 22, 2021.
  5. ^ "New Cambodian Premier League set to revolutionise football in the country". January 22, 2022. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  6. ^ "Phnom Penh Crown beaten at home in the Cambodian Classic Match". March 16, 2019. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "Last-minute goal lifts Boeung Ket to Cambodian League title - Khmer Times". October 25, 2020.
  8. ^ "Cambodian League to resume this weekend - Khmer Times". July 2021.
  9. ^ "Boeung Ket size up Naga | Phnom Penh Post". Archived from the original on 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  10. ^ "Metfone Extends Sponsorship for Cambodia's top flight football league". 24 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  11. ^ "CPL CEO: 'We will turn Cambodia into a regional football powerhouse' - Khmer Times". 16 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Cambodian Premier League welcomes new teams to playing field | Phnom Penh Post".
  13. ^ "Cambodia - List of Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-02-05. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  14. ^ "CPL Rules and Regulations 2024-25" (PDF). Cambodian Premier League. 7 July 2025.
  15. ^ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking 2025". FootyRankings. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
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