Laos Premier League
The Laos Premier League is the top tier of Laotian football, where leading clubs battle for the national title and spots in Asian competitions. It brings together teams from Vientiane to provincial hubs, mirroring the sport's rising popularity in this Southeast Asian nation.
History and foundation
Founded in the 1990s from an intermittent national championship dating back to the 1960s, the league stabilized in 2000 under the Laos Football Federation. A highlight: in 2010, Young Elephants FC (now Master 7 FC) dominated with a 20-point lead. Despite political upheavals and COVID disruptions, the 2023 season featured 10 teams. Young Elephants holds the record with 8 titles.
Tournament format
Running from October to May, it features 10–12 teams in a double round-robin format (18–22 matches). The champion earns AFC Champions League Two qualification, runner-up enters AFC Cup preliminaries. Bottom two face relegation to the First Division. No playoffs; standings by points.
Interesting facts
Matches average 2.5–3 goals, favoring counterattacks due to basic facilities. Top scorers include Souvanna Phatmany (over 50 league goals) and Bungak Kitiyapong of Master 7. Standouts: former Vietnamese imports like Nguyen Van Dinh, and locals like Sotirath Phathawong. The league feeds Laos' national team, which stunned Mongolia in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.