 | |
| Organising bodies | Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2 March 2007; 18 years ago (2007-03-02) |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of clubs | 10 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| 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 | |
| Seasons |
|---|
TheBangladesh Football League (Bengali:বাংলাদেশ ফুটবল লিগ), simply known as theBFL, is the top tier of theBangladeshi football league system. It is run by theBangladesh Football Federation (BFF). TheDhaka derby betweenDhaka Abahani andMohammedan is one of the league's most popular matches.[1]
The BFL superseded theDhaka Premier Division League which had functioned as the top tier from 1948 to 2006.[2][3][4][5] The league name was changed fromBangladesh Premier League toBangladesh Football League in 2025[6] because the spelling clashed with thesimilarly-named cricket league.
Before the establishment of the professional football league, the semi-professionalDhaka Premier Division League functioned as Bangladesh’s top-tier competition from 1993 onward. Prior to that, the Dhaka First Division League (relegated tosecond-tier status in 1993) was the country's highest level of football from 1948, following thepartition of India and even before theBangladesh's independence. Historically, the Dhaka Football League consisted of three-tiers, with thePioneer Football League introduced in 1981 as a fourth tier. A separateFourth Division also briefly existed within the Dhaka League system between 1966 and 1969.
From 2000 to 2006, theBangladesh Football Federation (BFF) operated theNational 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.
Founded in 2007 as Bangladesh's first professional national football league, theBangladesh Football League (BFL) was initially launched as theB.League. It was renamed theBangladesh League in 2009, and rebranded as theBangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2012. In 2025, the competition adopted its current name.
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The first league match took place on 2 March 2007 betweenDhaka Abahani andMuktijoddha Sangsad KC at theNational Stadium inDhaka, 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 sideRahmatganj 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 the2015–16 season, Dhaka Abahani also became the first team to win the professional league title with an unbeaten record.[10]
The league was disrupted by theCOVID-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.[11]
There are 10 clubs in the BFL as of the2025–26 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:[12]
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.
A system of promotion and relegation has existed between the Bangladesh Football League and theBangladesh 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 ClubLicensing Regulations for the following season.[13]
Before 2012, the winners of theDhaka 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 the2009–10 season. In 2009, the inaugural and only edition of theBashundhara Club Cup Championship took place, with the champions and runners-up granted entry into the 2009–10 edition.[14]
Bold indicates that the club withdrew from participating in the second-tier the following season.
| Club | Winner | Runners–up | Winning seasons | Runners–up seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka Abahani | 6 | 5 | 2007,2008–09,2009–10,2011–12,2016,2017–18 | 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 | 2016 |
Italics indicate former champions of the Bangladesh Football League who are currently outside the competition.
Ten clubs are competing in the2025–26 season — eight from theprevious season and two promoted from theBangladesh Championship League.
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abahani Limited | Cumilla | Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium | 18,000 |
| Arambagh KS | Manikganj | Shaheed Miraj–Tapan Stadium | 5,000 |
| Bangladesh Police FC | Gazipur | Shaheed Barkat Stadium | 5,000 |
| Bashundhara Kings | Dhaka | Bashundhara Kings Arena | 14,000 |
| Brothers Union | Munshiganj | Munshiganj Stadium | 10,000 |
| Fakirerpool YMC | Manikganj | Shaheed Miraj–Tapan Stadium | 5,000 |
| Fortis FC | Dhaka | Bashundhara Kings Arena | 14,000 |
| Mohammedan SC | Cumilla | Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium | 18,000 |
| PWD Sports Club | Gazipur | Shaheed Barkat Stadium | 5,000 |
| Rahmatganj MFS | Munshiganj | Munshiganj Stadium | 10,000 |
The following clubs are not competing in the Bangladesh Football League during the2025–26 season but have done previously for at least one season.
| Club | Current league |
|---|---|
| Chittagong Abahani | Bangladesh Championship League (relegated from BPL in 2025) |
| Dhaka Wanderers | Bangladesh Championship League (relegated from BPL in 2025) |
| Muktijoddha Sangsad KC | Bangladesh Championship League (relegated from BPL in 2023) |
| AFC Uttara | Bangladesh Championship League (relegated from BPL in 2023) |
| NoFeL Sporting Club | Bangladesh Championship League (relegated from BPL in 2019) |
| Farashganj SC | Bangladesh Championship League (relegated from BPL in 2018) |
| Swadhinata KS | Dhaka Senior Division League |
| Uttar Baridhara Club | Dhaka Senior Division League |
| Saif Sporting Club | Inactive |
| Sheikh Jamal DC | Inactive |
| Sheikh Russel KC | Inactive |
| Beanibazar SC | Defunct |
| Chittagong Mohammedan SC | Defunct |
| Feni Soccer Club | Defunct |
| Khulna Abahani | Defunct |
| Narayanganj Suktara Sangsad | Defunct |
| Team BJMC | Defunct |
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 in2007. The table is accurate to the end of the2024–25 season. Teams inbold are part of the2025–26 season. Numbers inbold are the record (highest either positive or negative) numbers in each column.[30]
| 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 | 2010–11 | 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 | 2010–11 | 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 | 2016 | 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 WC | 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 the2025–26 season:
| 2025–26 Bangladesh Football League teams | |
| 2025–26 Bangladesh Championship League teams | |
| Dhaka Senior Division League teams | |
| Currently inactive | |
| Defunct clubs |
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 toCOVID-19 pandemic.Pakir Ali ofSri Lanka was the first foreign head coach to win the BFL while the second coach was Ali Akbar Pourmoslemi ofIran. SpaniardÓscar Bruzón has the most BFL championships at five and was the most recent foreign coach to win the title in the2023–24 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 andAlfaz Ahmed are the only other Bangladeshi coaches to have won the Bangladesh Football League.
The current head coaches in the Bangladesh Football League are:
| Team | Head coach |
|---|---|
| Arambagh KS | Sheikh Zahidur Rahman Milon |
| Bashundhara Kings |  Mario Gómez |
| Brothers Union |  Omar Sise |
| Dhaka Abahani | Maruful Haque |
| Fakirerpool YMC | Sawpan Kumar Das |
| Fortis FC | Masud Parvez Kaisar |
| Mohammedan SC | Alfaz Ahmed |
| Police FC | S. M. Asifuzzaman |
| PWD Sports Club | Md Anwar Hossain |
| Rahmatganj MFS | Kamal Babu |
| 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 |
| 2010–11 | 334 | 132 | 2.55 |
| 2012 | 295 | 110 | 2.68 |
| 2012–13 | 162 | 72 | 2.25 |
| 2013–14 | 382 | 135 | 2.82 |
| 2014–15 | 332 | 110 | 3.01 |
| 2016 | 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 |
Season after season, players in theBFL compete for the golden boot title, which is awarded at the end of each season to the top scorer throughout the entire season. The most recent winner of the golden boot isSamuel Boateng, who won the golden boot at the end of the2024–25 season after scoring 21 goals.Raphael Odovin Onwrebe is both currently the holders of the most golden boot titles with two golden boots. The five Nigerians make up the six golden boots won by Nigerians, the most of any nationality in the league. While to dateEnamul Haque remains the only local golden boot winner, claiming the award in2009–10.
| Season | Nationality | Player(s) | Club(s) | Goals | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | | Elijah Obagbemiro Junior | Brothers Union | 16 | [32] |
| 2008–09 | | Alamu Bukola Olalekan | Mohammedan SC | 18 | |
| 2009–10 | | Enamul Haque | Abahani Limited Dhaka | 21 | [33] |
| 2010–11 |  | James Moga | Muktijoddha Sangsad KC | 19 | |
| 2012 |  | Ismael Bangoura | Team BJMC | 17 | |
| 2012–13 |  | Osei Morrison | Mohammedan SC | 12 | [34] |
| 2013–14 |  | Wedson Anselme | Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi | 26 | [35] |
| 2014–15 | | Emeka Darlington | Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi | 19 | [36] |
| 2016 | | Sunday Chizoba | Abahani Limited Dhaka | 19 | [37] |
| 2017–18 | | Solomon King Kanform | Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi | 15 | |
| Raphael Odovin Onwrebe | ||||
| 2018–19 | | Raphael Odovin Onwrebe | Sheikh Russel KC | 22 | |
| 2019–20 | / | Eleta Kingsley | Arambagh KS | 5 | |
| Sunday Chizoba | Abahani Limited Dhaka | |||
| 2020–21 |  | Robson Robinho | Bashundhara Kings | 21 | |
| 2021–22 |  | Souleymane Diabate | Mohammedan SC | 21 | |
| 2022–23 | | Dorielton Gomes | Bashundhara Kings | 20 | |
| 2023–24 |  | Cornelius Stewart | Abahani Limited Dhaka | 19 | |
| 2024–25 | | Samuel Boateng | Rahmatganj MFS | 21 | [38] |
| Rank | Player | Goals | Apps | Ratio | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday Chizoba | 132 | 111+ | 2010–2022 | |
| 2 | Ismael Bangoura | 90 | 50+ | 2010–2020 | |
| 3 | Zahid Hasan Ameli | 78 | 173+ | 2007–2019 | |
| 4 | Nkwocha Kingsley Chigozie | 75 | 2009–2020 | ||
| 5 | Mithun Chowdhury | 67 | 143 | 0.39 | 2008–2019 |
| 6 | Souleymane Diabate | 60 | 79 | 0.76 | 2018– |
| 7 | Shakhawat Hossain Rony | 58 | 94+ | 2008– | |
| 8 | Wedson Anselme | 54 | 53+ | 2013–2018 | |
| 9 |  Siyo Zunapio | 54 | 100 | 0.54 | 2011–2021 |
| 10 | Enamul Haque | 54 | 92+ | 2007–2019 | |
| 11 | Eleta Kingsley | 51 | 94 | 0.54 | 2011– |
| 12 | Alamu Bukola Olalekan | 51 | 2008–2018 | ||
| 13 | Emeka Darlington | 49 | 2013–2016 | ||
| 14 | Robson Robinho | 47 | 61 | 0.77 | 2020– |
| 15 | Tawhidul Alam Sabuz | 46 | 80+ | 2009– | |
| 16 | Solomon King Kanform | 45 | 88 | 0.51 | 2017–2022 |
| 17 | Nabib Newaj Jibon | 42 | 122 | 0.34 | 2013– |
| 18 | Raphael Odovin Onwrebe | 39 | 44 | 0.89 | 2017–2019 |
| 19 | Zahid Hossain | 39 | 120+ | 2008–2022 | |
| 20 | Dorielton Gomes | 38 | 35 | 1.09 | 2021– |
| 21 | Landing Darboe | 37 | 36+ | 2013–2021 | |
| 22 |  Daniel Colindres | 37 | 69 | 0.54 | 2018–2023 |
| 23 | Jewel Rana | 37 | 109+ | 2013– |
| Season | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Zahid Hasan Ameli[39] | Dhaka Abahani |
| 2018–19 | Daniel Colindres | Bashundhara Kings |
| 2020–21 | Robson Robinho | Bashundhara Kings |
| 2024–25 | Souleymane Diabate | Mohammedan SC |
| Season | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Mitul Marma | Dhaka Abahani |
| Season | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Robiul Hasan | Arambagh KS |
| 2020–21 | Nihat Jaman Ucchash[40] | Arambagh KS |
| Season | Coach | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Alfaz Ahmed | Mohammedan SC |
| Period | Sponsor | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–10 | Citycell | Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) signed a three-year partnership deal with Citycell. Citycell was the co-sponsor for the Federation Cup, the B. League and the School football tournament across the country. | [41] |
| 2010–13 | Grameenphone | ||
| 2013–14 | Nitol-Tata | Nitol-Tata Group sponsored the Bangladesh Premier League after 35 matches into the ongoing league. | [3][42] |
| 2014–15 | Manyavar | Besides Manyavar, KFC, Pragati Insurance, Amber Group and Treasurer had joined the country's professional football league as co-sponsors. | [43][44][45] |
| 2015–16 | JB Group | JB group had bought the title rights for Tk 4 crores. | [46][47][48][49] |
| 2016–18 | Saif Power Battery | Saif Power Battery bought the title rights for Tk 1.5 crores. | [46] |
| 2018–22 | TVS | BFF inked a one-year deal with TVS after finishing first leg of season. | [50][51][52][53] |
| 2023–25 | Bashundhara Group |
132 matches of season 2015–2016 were broadcast live atBTV World andBoishakhi TV, also live commentary was produced byRadio Next FM.[54] Every match of this league has been streaming live onBFF's pageArchived 30 May 2019 at theWayback Machine ofMycujoo platform from 2018 to 2019 season.Bangla TV started broadcasting selected matches of the BPL 2018–19 matches live from 9 May 2019.[51] The first sports channel of BangladeshT sports started to broadcast the matches of BPL 2020–21 from 13 January 2021.
| 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 |
| | |
Bangladesh Football League teams can qualify for the Asian club competitions – theAFC Challenge League qualifying play-offs – through their performance in the league. Before the2012–13 season Bangladeshi clubs were only allowed entry to the now defunctAFC President's Cup, which was a competition targeted for emerging football nations. Since the2021–22 season the league winners are allowed entry to the qualifying play-offs of theAFC Champions League.[55]
Abahani Limited Dhaka was the first Bangladesh Football League club to club to play in Asian competition when they participated in the2008 AFC President's Cup. The club qualified for the competition, after winning the first edition of the league in2007. The first six seasons of the league Bangladeshi clubs only participated in the AFC President's Cup, untilSheikh Russel KC the winners of the2012–13 league season were given entry2015 AFC Cup qualifying play-off. The winners of the2013–14 season of the leagueSheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, were the first Football League club to be given direct entry into the AFC Cup, during the2016 AFC Cup.[citation needed]
In July 2022, it was confirmed thatBashundhara Kings, the winners of the2021–22 league season will partake in theAFC Champions League Play-off round, while holding an automatic place in theAFC 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 theFederation 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.[56]
On 23 December 2022, it was announced that theAFC competition structure would change from the established formats from the 2024–25 season. A new third-tier tournament called theAFC Challenge League would be introduced.[57][58] 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 theirclub competitions ranking[59] and the champions of2023–24 season BFL,Bashundhara Kings, competed for2024–25 AFC Challenge League. The league's runner's up team along with theFederation Cup champions, will remain standby for the AFC Challenge League Play-off round if the league winners doesn't have a AFC Club Licence.
| Ranking | Member association | Club points | ACLE 2025–26 (GS+PO) | ACL2 2025–26 (GS+PO) | ACGL 2025–26 (GS+PO) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24[60] | 2022[61] | Mvmt | Region | Region Mvmt | 2015[62] | 2016[63] | 2017[64] | 2018[65] | 2019[66] | 2021[67] | 2022[68] | 2023-24[69] | 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 Season | AFC President's Cup | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Dhaka Abahani | Group Stage |
| 2008–09 | Dhaka Abahani | Group Stage |
| 2009–10 | Dhaka Abahani | Group Stage |
| 2010–11 | Sheikh Jamal DC | Withdrew |
| 2012 | Dhaka Abahani | Group Stage |
| 2012–13 | Sheikh Russel KC | Group Winners |
| BFL Season | AFC Cup | Position | AFC Champions League | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | Sheikh Russel KC | Preliminary Round(2015) | — | — |
| 2013–14 | Sheikh Jamal DC | Group Stage(2016) | — | — |
| 2014–15 | No corresponding season | — | — | |
| 2016 | Dhaka Abahani | Group Stage(2017) | — | — |
| 2017–18 | Dhaka Abahani | Group Stage(2018) | — | — |
| Saif SC | Preliminary Round(2018) | |||
| 2018 Fed. Cup | Dhaka Abahani | Inter-zone semi-finals(2019) | — | — |
| 2018–19 | Bashundhara Kings | Cancelled(2020) | — | — |
| Dhaka Abahani | ||||
| 2019–20 | Bashundhara Kings | Group Stage(2021) | — | — |
| Dhaka Abahani | Withdrew | |||
| 2020–21 | Bashundhara Kings | Group Stage(2022) | — | — |
| Dhaka Abahani | Play-off Round(2022) | |||
| 2021–22 | Bashundhara Kings | Group Stage(2023–24) | Bashundhara Kings | Preliminary Round(2023–24) |
| Dhaka Abahani | Play-off Round(2023–24) | |||
| BFL Season | ACGL | Position | ACL2 | Position | ACLE | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Bashundhara Kings | Group Stage(2024–25) | — | — | — | — |
| 2024–25 | Dhaka Abahani | Preliminary Stage(2025–26) | — | — | — | — |
| Bashundhara Kings[c] |
| National teams |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League competitions |
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| Cup competitions |
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| Defunct competitions |
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| Rivalries | |||||||||||
