Philippines Football League
{{Short description|Top-division men's association football league in the Philippines}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{for|the national football championships (1998–1999) also known as the Philippine Football League|P-League (Philippines)}}
{{Infobox football league
|image = Philippines Football League logo.png
|pixels=175px
|country = Philippines
|organiser = Liga Futbol Inc.
|confed = AFC
|founded = {{Start date and age|2017}}
|teams = 10
|level = 1
|domest_cup = Copa Paulino Alcantara
|confed_cup = {{plainlist|
}}
|champions = Kaya–Iloilo (3rd title)
|season = 2024–25
|most successful club = United City (4 titles)
|most_appearances =
|top_goalscorer = {{nowrap|Bienvenido Marañón (71)}}
|tv = Premier Sports
Blast TV
Fiber TV (streaming)
matchday+ (remaining games on the 2025 season)
|website = {{URL|www.pfl.org.ph}}
|current = 2024–25 Philippines Football League}}
The Philippines Football League (PFL) is a men's professional football league in the Philippines. Sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and organized by Liga Futbol Inc., it is the country's primary football competition. In 2024, it was contested by 15 clubs from April 6 to July 14. The league does not have a system of promotion and relegation. All PFL clubs also take part in the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the annual domestic cup competition.
Founded in 2017, the PFL supplanted the Metro Manila-based United Football League (UFL), which was the de facto top-tier league in the country from 2009 to 2016.{{cite news|title=Ceres FC ready to apply for PFL license|url=http://visayandailystar.com/2016/October/15/sportnews1.htm|access-date=October 16, 2016|work=The Visayan Daily Star|date=October 15, 2016|archive-date=October 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018220951/http://visayandailystar.com/2016/October/15/sportnews1.htm|url-status=dead}} Since then, 11 clubs have competed in the PFL. United City (formerly Ceres–Negros) is the most successful club, with four consecutive titles. Aside from them, the only other club to have won the title is most recent champion Kaya–Iloilo.
The PFL's structure and organization has undergone several changes over the years. In 2018, the PFL was briefly dissolved due to financial and logistical issues, with the Philippine Premier League (PPL) supplanting it. However, with the folding of the PPL after just one matchday, the PFL was revived in May 2019.
History
=Origins=
Following the success of the Philippines national team in the 2010 AFF Championship, Philippines football experienced a renaissance. With no existing national football league, the United Football League (UFL) established itself as the de facto top-tier league in the Philippines. Under the guidance of the Football Alliance (FA) in partnership with United Football Clubs Association (UFCA), the UFL flourished. However, the PFF expressed the need to have a nationwide, community-based football league that is at par with the standards set by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).{{Cite news |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/337938/sports/football/philippine-football-federation-set-to-launch-national-league |title=Philippine Football Federation set to launch national league |last=Bautista |first=Roehl Niño |date=December 2, 2013 |work=GMA News |access-date=September 8, 2016 |archive-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924073012/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/337938/sports/football/philippine-football-federation-set-to-launch-national-league |url-status=live }} The UFL, which was under the National Capital Region Football Association, could not be considered as a national league.
=Foundations=
[[File:PFL Philippines Nielsen Study Cited Localities map.svg|250px|thumb|alt=Map showing the 13 localities (provinces, cities or municipalities) in red deemed viable home venues for prospect clubs of the Philippines Football League|13 localities deemed viable home venues by the Nielsen Company for prospect clubs in the PFL.
{{smalldiv|
{{unbulleted list|Luzon: Manila, Makati, Quezon City, Marikina, Bocaue (Bulacan), Laguna, Pampanga|Visayas: Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo|Mindanao: Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City}}}}
]]
With the goal of establishing a truly nationwide professional football league in the Philippines, the PFF launched National League Task Force on December 2, 2013.{{cite web|title=PFF to Establish National League in 2016|work=The Philippine Football Federation |url=http://pff.org.ph/2013/12/02/pff-to-establish-national-league-in-2016/|publisher=Philippine Football Federation|access-date=September 9, 2016|date=December 2, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921182904/http://pff.org.ph/2013/12/02/pff-to-establish-national-league-in-2016/|url-status=live |last1=Admin |first1=pff }} The task force was led by PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. and general secretary Edwin Gastanes, also composing of Filipino economist Bernie Villegas, UFL president Randy Roxas, AFC deputy general secretary and competition director Dato' Windsor John, Filipino FIFA official Domeka Garamendi, AFC kick-off program director Yogesh Desai, UFL commissioner Bonnie Ladrido, ABS-CBN's Dino Laurena, former PFF general secretary Cyril Dofitas and Gelix Mercader.{{Cite news |url=https://pff.org.ph/2016/09/06/pff-to-brief-interested-clubs-on-philippines-football-league/ |title=PFF To Brief Interested Clubs On Philippines Football League |date=September 6, 2016 |access-date=September 9, 2016 |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921182412/http://pff.org.ph/2016/09/06/pff-to-brief-interested-clubs-on-philippines-football-league/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/thepassionatefan/pff-announces-national-football-league-launch-2015-2016-094223380.html |title=PFF announces national football league to launch in 2015 or 2016 |last=Guerrero |first=Bob |date=December 2, 2013 |work=Passionate Fan |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |access-date=September 9, 2016 |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921122222/https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/thepassionatefan/pff-announces-national-football-league-launch-2015-2016-094223380.html |url-status=live }} The task force was tasked to do market research studies to determine the possible cities or regions where participating football clubs could be feasibly based, as well as assisting clubs in the Philippines to conform to the PFF club licensing regulations, of which the draft was initiated by Gastanes, with guidance from AFC. The PFF initially set a goal to launch the national league in two to three years from the inception of the task force.
Singaporean sports marketing agency, Red Card Group led by former Singaporean international, R. Sasikumar, assisted the PFF in the initial stages of planning the league.{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=Noah|title=Sasikumar a key player in new Philippines pro football league|url=http://www.todayonline.com/sports/sasikumar-key-player-new-philippines-pro-football-league|access-date=November 11, 2016|work=Today|publisher=Mediacorp Press Ltd.|date=November 11, 2016|archive-date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111062557/http://www.todayonline.com/sports/sasikumar-key-player-new-philippines-pro-football-league|url-status=live}}
==Nielsen study==
Nielsen was tasked by PFF, through funding from FIFA and AFC to conduct a study in 2015, where they identified 13 key localities throughout the Philippines as viable home venues for participating clubs in the PFL. Among the factors considered were existing infrastructures, accessibility, capacity of fans to pay, the existence of sponsors, and fan appreciation of the sport.
"Philippines Football League" was the most-preferred name for a prospective league according to a Nielsen survey which covered interviews of 5,000 people nationwide. Other choices included "P-League", "Maharlika League" (inspired by a feudal warrior class existing in the Luzon region during the pre-colonial era),{{Cite web|last=Morrow|first=Paul|date=January 16, 2009|title=Maharlika and the ancient class system|url=http://pilipino-express.com/history-a-culture/in-other-words/251-maharlika-and-the-ancient-class-system.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119200349/http://pilipino-express.com/history-a-culture/in-other-words/251-maharlika-and-the-ancient-class-system.html|archive-date=January 19, 2009|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Pilipino Express}} "Liga Pilipina", and "Philippine Premier League".{{cite news|last1=Ventura|first1=Sid|title=With PFF Backing, National Pro Football League Set to Debut in 2017|url=http://sports.tv5.com.ph/sports5/article/with-pff-backing-national-pro-football-league-set-to-debut-in-2017|access-date=September 8, 2016|work=Sports 5|publisher=TV5 Network Inc.|date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909070059/http://sports.tv5.com.ph/sports5/article/with-pff-backing-national-pro-football-league-set-to-debut-in-2017|archive-date=September 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}
==Launch==
File:Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila.jpg at Bonifacio Global City where the official launch of the PFL was hosted.]]
The Philippines Football League was officially announced on September 7, 2016, and would be replacing the UFL as the Philippines' top-tier football league.{{cite news|last1=Guerrero|title=PFF one step closer to launching nationwide pro football league|url=http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/145395-pff-one-step-closer-launching-nationwide-pro-football-league|access-date=September 8, 2016|work=Rappler|date=September 6, 2016|archive-date=September 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909113317/http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/145395-pff-one-step-closer-launching-nationwide-pro-football-league|url-status=live}}
At least six teams from all over the Philippines was planned to be part of the PFL, with clubs from the UFL invited to join. Clubs were given until December 2016 to formally apply to join the PFL.{{cite news|last1=Del Rosario|first1=Paolo|title=PFF bares plans for national football league|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/09/06/PFF-bares-plans-philippines-national-football-league.html|access-date=September 8, 2016|work=CNN Philippines|date=September 6, 2016|archive-date=September 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917224311/http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/09/06/PFF-bares-plans-philippines-national-football-league.html|url-status=dead}} The league competition was slated to begin in either the late March or early April in 2017.
By April 1, 2017, the PFF confirmed the participation of 8 clubs from - Ilocos United and Stallion Laguna from Luzon; JPV Marikina, Kaya–Makati (now Kaya–Iloilo) and Meralco Manila (now Loyola) from Metro Manila; Ceres–Negros (now United City) and Global Cebu (now Global FC) from the Visayas; Davao Aguilas from Mindanao.{{cite news|last1=Doble|first1=Henry|title=8 teams for PFL inaugural kickoff|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/sports/2017/04/01/8-teams-pfl-inaugural-kickoff-534259|access-date=April 1, 2017|work=Sun Star Bacolod|date=April 1, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019184013/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/134508/Entertainment/8-teams-for-PFL-inaugural-kickoff|url-status=live}}
The official launching of the PFL happened on April 21, 2017, at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig.{{cite news|last1=Jacinto|first1=Christian|title=Finally, a national league for the Philippines after launch of PFL|url=http://www.spin.ph/football/news/finally-a-national-league-for-the-philippines-after-launch-of|access-date=April 22, 2017|work=Sport Interactive Network Philippines|date=April 22, 2017|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123144127/https://www.spin.ph/football/finally-a-national-league-for-the-philippines-after-launch-of|url-status=live}} The program was started by economist and PFL Task Force Chairman, Bernardo Villegas and ended by PFF President Mariano Araneta.{{cite news|title=Inaugural PFL season draws 8 teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao|url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/en-ph/news/inaugural-pfl-season-draws-8-teams-luzon-visayas-mindanao/|access-date=April 22, 2017|work=Fox Sports Philippines|date=April 22, 2017|archive-date=April 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422214222/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/en-ph/news/inaugural-pfl-season-draws-8-teams-luzon-visayas-mindanao/|url-status=live}}
=2017 and 2018 seasons=
The inaugural season in 2017 was contested by eight clubs and had two stages; the regular season and a playoff competition. The regular season adopted a home-and-away, double round-robin format. The top four teams in the regular season advanced to the play-off round, dubbed as the "Final Series", to determine the champions of the league.{{cite news|title=PFF to brief interested clubs on Philippines Football League|url=http://pff.org.ph/2016/09/06/pff-to-brief-interested-clubs-on-philippines-football-league/|access-date=September 7, 2016|publisher=Philippine Football Federation|date=September 6, 2016|archive-date=November 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117122833/http://pff.org.ph/2016/09/06/pff-to-brief-interested-clubs-on-philippines-football-league/|url-status=live}} Ceres-Negros won the inaugural league title.
For the second season, the Final Series was scrapped due to the introduction of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the cup competition for the league.{{cite news|title=PFL Season 2018 Begins March 3|url=http://philippinesfootballleague.com/2018/01/31/pfl-season-2018-begins-march-3/|access-date=January 31, 2018|work=Philippines Football League|date=January 31, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204173235/http://philippinesfootballleague.com/2018/01/31/pfl-season-2018-begins-march-3/|url-status=dead}} The number of clubs in the league was reduced from eight to six after the departure of Ilocos United (then converted to a grassroots association){{Cite web|last=Carmen|first=Lorenzo del|date=January 18, 2018|title=Ilocos United takes leave from PFL|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/ilocos-united-takes-leave-pfl/106111|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Tiebreaker Times|language=en-US|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203152706/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/ilocos-united-takes-leave-pfl/106111|url-status=live}} and FC Meralco Manila (that stayed active on a youth level ever since),{{Cite web|title=PH football club Meralco Manila ceases operations|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/football/fc-meralco-manila-cease-operations-ph-football|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Rappler|date=January 8, 2018|language=en|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025658/https://www.rappler.com/sports/football/fc-meralco-manila-cease-operations-ph-football|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Loyola FC to continue youth academy|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2018/01/16/sports/football-times/loyola-fc-continue-youth-academy/374705/|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=The Manila Times|date=January 16, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928015146/https://www.manilatimes.net/2018/01/16/sports/football-times/loyola-fc-continue-youth-academy/374705/|url-status=live}} both due to lack of investment and sponsorship, while Kaya-Makati F.C. relocated to Iloilo City and changed their name accordingly.{{Cite web|title=Kaya Futbol Club chooses Iloilo as its new home court|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024294|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=www.pna.gov.ph|language=en|archive-date=March 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323142345/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024294|url-status=live}} Ceres-Negros won their second title.{{cite news |title=Ceres captures back to back PFL titles |url=http://sports.inquirer.net/312569/ceres-captures-back-back-pfl-titles |access-date=July 25, 2018 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 25, 2018 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725184102/http://sports.inquirer.net/312569/ceres-captures-back-back-pfl-titles |url-status=live }}
=Replacement by the Philippine Premier League=
{{main|Philippine Premier League}}
In late-2018, Triple CH led by Thailand-based Filipino businessman Bernie Sumayao became involved in the league and has entered talks with PFF chairman Mariano Araneta.{{cite news |last1=Guerrero |first1=Bob |title=Bernie Sumayao looks to transform Philippine club football |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/218516-bernie-sumayao-transform-philippine-club-football |access-date=December 8, 2018 |work=Rappler |date=December 8, 2018 |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123527/https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/218516-bernie-sumayao-transform-philippine-club-football |url-status=live }} He was appointed as the league's new commissioner.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=New PPL chief saddened by Davao Aguilas pullout |url=http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1056814 |access-date=December 16, 2018 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=December 16, 2018 |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216210815/http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1056814 |url-status=live }} Sumayao pledged to institute financial and structural reforms in the league; including a rebrand of the league to the "Philippine Premier League" (PPL) starting the 2019 season, more favorable sponsorship policies, and the disestablishment of the franchise fee in favor of a less expensive registration fee for clubs.
At least eight teams were projected to play in the PPL's inaugural season. However, the end of the 2017 season also saw the departure of a third club in the league's history, Davao Aguilas{{Cite web|date=December 14, 2018|title=Davao Aguilas-Belmare FC quits PFL|url=https://pinoyfootball.com/2018/12/14/davao-aguilas-belmare-fc-quits-pfl/|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Pinoyfootball|language=en-US|archive-date=March 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331044741/https://pinoyfootball.com/2018/12/14/davao-aguilas-belmare-fc-quits-pfl/|url-status=live}} Despite this, the league has received applications from several new clubs aspiring to join the PFL.
=Revival and continued organization=
The PPL effectively folded after the PFF announced that it has revoked its sanction of the league on May 3, 2019, due to its non compliance to the agreement with PFF.{{cite news |title=PFF Terminates Agreement With League Operator |url=https://pff.org.ph/2019/05/04/pff-terminates-agreement-with-league-operator/ |access-date=May 3, 2019 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=May 4, 2019 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512165648/http://pff.org.ph/2019/05/04/pff-terminates-agreement-with-league-operator/ |url-status=live }} The PFL was consequently revived, with a third season planned to commence within the year.{{cite news |last1=Del Carmen |first1=Lorenzo |title=PFF sinks PPL, promises to revive PFL |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pff-sinks-ppl-promises-revive-pfl/148524 |access-date=May 4, 2019 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=May 4, 2019 |archive-date=May 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504135859/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pff-sinks-ppl-promises-revive-pfl/148524 |url-status=live }} The new format proceeded as planned, with Ceres–Negros claiming their third consecutive league title despite internal managerial struggles.{{Cite web|last=Tupas|first=Cedelf P.|date=May 11, 2020|title=Ceres completes big year despite ownership troubles|url=https://sports.inquirer.net/393944/ceres-completes-big-year-despite-ownership-troubles|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Inquirer.net|language=en|archive-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821061338/https://sports.inquirer.net/393944/ceres-completes-big-year-despite-ownership-troubles|url-status=live}}
The PFL secured a three-year sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways on January 26, 2020, with the Qatari firm becoming the Airline partner and Title Sponsor of the PFL.{{cite news |last1=Cabanlong |first1=Xy-Zha |title=PFF-Qatar Airways seals deal for PFL Sponsorship |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2020/01/pff-qatar-airways-seals-deal-for-pfl.html |access-date=January 29, 2020 |work=Dugout Philippines |date=January 29, 2020 }} Negotiations for deal occurred as early as November 2019.{{cite web |title=Qatar Airways to Sponsor the Philippines Football League |url=https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-releases/2019/November/PFL.html |publisher=Qatar Airways |access-date=December 2, 2019 |date=November 26, 2019 |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212195743/https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-releases/2019/November/PFL.html |url-status=live }} The league was formally renamed as "The Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways" as a result of the sponsorship.{{cite news |title=Nonong Araneta remains as PFF president |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/nonong-araneta-remains-as-pff-president/171858 |access-date=December 2, 2019 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=November 29, 2019 |quote=Qatar Airways, upon Araneta’s request, has agreed to a three-year deal as title sponsor of the PFL starting next year. |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406205156/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/nonong-araneta-remains-as-pff-president/171858 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Philippines Football League Embarks On Path To Return Of Competition |url=http://pff.org.ph/2020/07/13/philippines-football-league-embarks-on-path-to-return-of-competition/ |access-date=July 13, 2020 |publisher=Philippine Football Federation |date=July 13, 2020 |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713070450/http://pff.org.ph/2020/07/13/philippines-football-league-embarks-on-path-to-return-of-competition/ |url-status=live }}
The 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was later held in a bio-secure bubble in Carmona, Cavite from October 28 to November 9, 2020, while the edition of the Copa Paulino Alcantara was cancelled, due to the time constraints caused by the original postponement.{{Cite web|last=Saladjeno|first=Ivan Stewart|date=May 28, 2020|title=PFF to submit protocols to GAB for possible PFL return|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104136|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=www.pna.gov.ph|language=en|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116160556/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104136|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Cabanlong|first=Xy-Zha|date=May 27, 2020|title=PFF prexy Nonong Araneta hopeful on football's return in PH|url=https://www.dugout.ph/2020/05/pff-president-nonong-araneta-hopeful-on.html|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Dugout Philippines}}{{Cite web|title=PFL set for compact season on October 25 with strict protocols|url=https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/pfl-set-for-compact-season-on-october-25-with-strict-protocols-a795-20201014|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Spin.ph|language=en|archive-date=March 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323142352/https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/pfl-set-for-compact-season-on-october-25-with-strict-protocols-a795-20201014|url-status=live}} Ceres-Negros, which had just sustained an ownership change and got renamed as "United City F.C.",{{Cite web|date=July 8, 2020|title=End of an Era: Ceres-Negros set for name, ownership change|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/end-era-ceres-negros-sell-club/186434|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Tiebreaker Times|language=en-US|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918030220/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/end-era-ceres-negros-sell-club/186434|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2020|title=Ownership transfer official: Ceres Negros to rebrand to United City FC|url=https://tv5.espn.com/story/_/id/29521611/ceres-negros-rebrand-united-city-fc-ownership-transfer|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=ESPN.com|language=en|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117135808/https://tv5.espn.com/story/_/id/29521611/ceres-negros-rebrand-united-city-fc-ownership-transfer|url-status=live}} then proceeded to win their fourth title in a row, with Kaya F.C.-Iloilo finishing second despite remaining unbeaten and thus becoming the first club in PFL's history to do so.{{Cite web|last=Carmen|first=Lorenzo del|date=November 6, 2020|title=United City remains as king of PFL|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/united-city-remains-as-king-of-pfl/194917|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Tiebreaker Times|language=en-US|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129201758/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/united-city-remains-as-king-of-pfl/194917|url-status=live}}
The same year saw the official entry in the competition of newly founded Azkals Development Team, directly controlled by the national football federation, as a guest team that would host mainly "homegrown" young talents, as well as some overage players, in order to expand the resources of the national team.{{Cite web|last=Del Rosario|first=Paolo|date=March 7, 2020|title=Future of Philippine football is bright with Azkals Development Team|url=https://www.espn.com/story/_/id/28855632/future-philippine-football-bright-azkals-development-team|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914052635/https://www.espn.com/story/_/id/28855632/future-philippine-football-bright-azkals-development-team|archive-date=September 14, 2020|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=ESPN}}{{Cite web|last=Rabelas|first=John Maverick|date=February 2, 2020|title=Paradigm Shift: The ADT Program launches|url=http://huddleph.com/2020/02/02/paradigm-shift-the-adt-program-launches/|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=The Huddle PH|language=en-US|archive-date=February 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216230010/http://huddleph.com/2020/02/02/paradigm-shift-the-adt-program-launches/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=March 11, 2020|title=ADT is the sure way forward – Palami|url=https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/adt-is-the-sure-way-forward-palami/|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=AFF - The Official Website Of The Asean Football Federation|language=en-US|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123045827/https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/adt-is-the-sure-way-forward-palami/|url-status=live}}
In 2021, following the rise of Philippines in the AFC rankings and the expansion of the AFC Champions League's group stage from 32 to 40 teams,{{Cite web|title=AFC Club Competitions Ranking {{!}} AFC|url=https://www.the-afc.com/afc-ranking/|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=the-AFC|language=en-GB|archive-date=July 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706123249/https://www.the-afc.com/afc-ranking/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=AFC to invest in new era of national team and club competitions {{!}} Football {{!}} News {{!}}|url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/afc-to-invest-in-new-era-of-national-team-and-club-competitions|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=the-AFC|language=en-GB|archive-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205072528/https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/afc-to-invest-in-new-era-of-national-team-and-club-competitions|url-status=live}} United City became the first Filipino team to qualify for the group stage of the competition, as winners of the 2020 edition of the PFL. Plus, the 2021 season saw both the return of the league cup, set to be organized in April,{{Cite web|title=PFL eyes 2021 opening in April with Copa Paulino Alcantara|url=https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/pfl-eyes-2021-opening-in-april-with-copa-paulino-alcantara-a795-20210116|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Spin.ph|language=en|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122051516/https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/pfl-eyes-2021-opening-in-april-with-copa-paulino-alcantara-a795-20210116|url-status=live}} and a slight expansion of the league,{{Cite web|last=Leyba|first=Olmin|title=Expanded cast expected in next PFL tourney|url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2021/01/02/2067585/expanded-cast-expected-next-pfl-tourney|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Philstar.com|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107005141/https://www.philstar.com/sports/2021/01/02/2067585/expanded-cast-expected-next-pfl-tourney|url-status=live}} with PFL commissioner Coco Torre announcing in February that Loyola F.C. (returning to the league after competing for the last time in 2018) and former UFL team Laos F.C. (on his official debut) had submitted their respective requests to join the competition.{{Cite web|last=Suyu|first=Ian|date=February 11, 2021|title=2 teams to join PFL|url=https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/02/12/2-teams-to-join-pfl/|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Daily Tribune|language=en-US|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212035501/https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/02/12/2-teams-to-join-pfl/|url-status=live}}
The 2024–25 season saw the reintroduction of the Finals Series, albeit as a distinct competition.{{cite news |title=Cebu FC gets back at Stallion, bolsters Finals Series chances |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-sports/2025/04/09/2434639/cebu-fc-gets-back-stallion-bolsters-finals-series-chances |access-date=13 April 2025 |work=The Freeman |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=9 April 2025 |quote=The Top 4, on the other hand, will see action in the Finals Series, an entirely different competition from the regular season wherein a ticket to the 2025-26 ASEAN Club Championship is up for grabs.}}
Competition format
The PFL followed a traditional home-and-away double round-robin format during the 2018, 2019, and 2022-23 seasons, although some clubs did not have their home stadiums.
The 2018 season saw 7 teams playing each other 4 times. In the 2019 season with 6 teams competing, the format was made into a quadruple round-robin format, this time playing each other 5 times whole season.
In the 2020 season, all matches are held in a bio-secure bubble single venue with 5 matches played by each team in a span of 12 days starting from October 28 to November 12.{{Cite web|url = https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/loyola-laos-look-to-make-return-with-pfl/201460|title = Loyola, Laos look to make return with PFL|date = February 13, 2021|access-date = February 14, 2021|archive-date = February 15, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210215025731/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/loyola-laos-look-to-make-return-with-pfl/201460|url-status = live}} The last match was postponed due to Typhoon Vamco (Ulysses), although the match was never played, instead documented as a goalless draw against Mendiola and Stallion.
The 2022–23 season saw a switch from an intra-year format to an inter-year format due to the Asian Football Confederation changing its system of scheduling into an inter-year format. About 22 games we're to be played by each team during this season, excluding United City, which withdrew mid-season.
The success of the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara, the league saw an expansion from 7 teams to 15, an all time high for the league. With this the league schedule was again switched to a intra-year format for the 2024 season, and the format changed from a double round-robin, to a single round-robin tournament with 14 matches played by each team. This season will also see most of its games played in centralized venues, with almost all games played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
An interview from the PFL commissioner Coco Torre revealed that there are talks for the next season to be reverted back into an inter-year format.
It is only during the 2017 season, that the league had two phases, the regular season, and the Finals Series, a play-off round where the top four teams played to determine the champions. The Finals Series was reintroduced for 2024–25 but as a distinct competition of its own.
There was a proposal to convert the former UFL to a second division tournament or a reserve league to the PFL.{{cite news|last1=Valderrama|first1=Aeron Paul|title=Formation of Philippines Football League officially underway|url=http://tiebreakertimes.com/tbt/formation-philippines-football-league-officially-underway/65483|access-date=September 7, 2016|work=Tiebreaker Times|date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909003108/http://tiebreakertimes.com/tbt/formation-philippines-football-league-officially-underway/65483|archive-date=September 9, 2016|url-status=dead}} But such plans never materialized.
=Qualification for Asian competitions=
- AFC Champions League
- 2017–2020: The league's champions qualify for the preliminary round of the play-offs, and they have to renounce to their slot in the AFC Cup in case of advancement to the group stage.
- 2021–2023: The league's champions qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament; the winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara (or the league's second placers, only for the 2020 season) qualify for the preliminary round of the play-offs, and they have to renounce to their slot in the AFC Cup in case of advancement to the group stage.
- AFC Cup
- 2017: The league's second placers qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament, with third placers eligible to replace them whether they were unable to play in the competition; if the league's champions failed to advance to the group stage of AFC Champions League, they would still benefit from a free slot in the tournament.
- 2018–2020: The winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament; if the league's champions failed to advance to the group stage of AFC Champions League, they would still benefit from a free slot in the tournament.
- 2021–2023: The winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara (or the league's second placers, only for the 2020 season) qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament.
- AFC Champions League Two
- 2024–present: The winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara will qualify for the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two qualifying play-offs, with the league winners being given direct qualification for the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two group stage
Clubs (2024–25)
Twenty-one clubs have played in the PFL since its inception in 2017, up to and including the 2024–25 season.{{cite web |title=Handa na ba kayo, mga ka-liga? 🔥 Ito ang mga teams na maglalaban-laban sa PFL 2024-25 season |url=https://www.facebook.com/reel/1611388459591223 |website=Facebook |publisher=Philippines Football League |access-date=12 September 2024 |date=11 September 2024}}{{better source needed|date=September 2024}}
=Timeline=
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:1200px height:auto barincrement:20
Period = from:2017 till:2025
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = right:100 left:0 bottom:50 top:5 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#
Colors = id:barcolor
id:line value:pink
id:bg value:white
id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) # Use this color to denote a team that is a current league member
id:Former value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.67) # Use this color to denote a team that is a former league member
id:Guest value:rgb(0.5,0.7,0.95) # Use this color to denote a team that plays/played as a guest
PlotData=
width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s
bar:1 color:Full from:2017 till:2020 text:Ceres–Negros (2017–2020)
bar:1 color:Full from:2020 till:2022 text:United City (2020–2022)
bar:1 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:United City (2024–present)
bar:2 color:Full from:2017 till:2018 text:Kaya–Makati (2017)
bar:2 color:Full from:2018 till:2024 text:Kaya–Iloilo (2018–present)
bar:3 color:Full from:2017 till:2024 text:Stallion Laguna (2017–present)
bar:4 color:Former from:2017 till:2019 text:Global Cebu (2017–2019)
bar:4 color:Former from:2019 till:2019 text:Global Makati (2019)
bar:5 color:Full from:2017 till:2018 text:Davao Aguilas (2017–2018)
bar:5 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:Davao Aguilas (2024–present)
bar:6 color:Former from:2017 till:2018 text:JPV Marikina (2017–2018)
bar:7 color:Former from:2017 till:2017 text:Ilocos United (2017)
bar:8 color:Full from:2017 till:2017 text:Meralco Manila (2017)
bar:8 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:Loyola (2024–present)
bar:9 color:Full from:2019 till:2024 text:Mendiola 1991 (2019–present)
bar:10 color:Former from:2019 till:2019 text:Green Archers United (2019)
bar:11 color:Full from:2019 till:2019 text:Philippine Air Force (2019)
bar:11 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:Philippine Air Force (2024–present)
bar:12 color:Guest from:2020 till:2023 text:Azkals Development Team (2020–2023)
bar:13 color:Full from:2020 till:2024 text:Maharlika Manila (2020–present)
bar:14 color:Full from:2021 till:2024 text:Dynamic Herb Cebu (2021–present)
bar:15 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:Don Bosco Garelli (2024–present)
bar:16 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:Manila Digger (2024–present)
bar:17 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:Manila Montet (2024–present)
bar:18 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:One Taguig (2024–present)
bar:19 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:Philippine Army (2024–present)
bar:20 color:Full from:2024 till:2024 text:Tuloy (2024–present)
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:2017
TextData =
fontsize:L
textcolor:black
pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center)
text:
{{Font color||{{RGB|190|186|218}}|League member}} {{Font color||{{RGB|102|205|170}}|Former member}} {{Font color||{{RGB|127|179|244}}|Guest team}}
Champions
{{Main|List of Filipino football champions}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Champions
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Season
! Champion ! Runners-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| align=center|2017{{efn|Season had a regular season and a Finals Series; the winning team in the Finals Series playoffs is the league champion. Meralco Manila was the top team in the regular season.}} | |Ceres–Negros{{efn|name=Ceres|United City were known as Ceres–Negros until 2020.}} | | Global Cebu |
| align=center|2018 | |Ceres–Negros{{efn|name=Ceres}} | | Kaya–Iloilo |
| align=center|2019 | |Ceres–Negros{{efn|name=Ceres}} | |Kaya–Iloilo |
| align=center|2020 | | United City | | Kaya–Iloilo |
| align=center|2021 | colspan=2| not held due to COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines | |
| align=center|2022–23 | |Kaya–Iloilo | | Dynamic Herb Cebu |
| align=center|2024 | |Kaya–Iloilo | | Dynamic Herb Cebu |
| align=center|2024–25{{efn|Season had a regular season and a Finals Series; the top team in the regular season is the league champion.}} | |Kaya–Iloilo | |Manila Digger |
{{notelist}}
;Performance by club
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Club
! Winners ! Runners-up ! Winning seasons ! Runners-up seasons |
|---|
| United City
| align=center| 4 | align=center| 0 | align=center| – |
| Kaya–Iloilo
| align=center| 3 | align=center| 3 |
| Dynamic Herb Cebu
| align=center| 0 | align=center| 2 | align=center| – |
| Manila Digger
| align=center| 0 | align=center| 1 | align=center| – | 2024–25 |
| Global Cebu
| align=center| 0 | align=center| 1 | align=center| – | 2017 |
{{Col-end}}
{{notelist}}
Records
{{Main|Philippines Football League records and statistics}}
Organization
The Philippines Football League, along with the Copa Paulino Alcantara, is managed by the Pasig-based Liga Futbol Inc.{{cite web|title=Philippines Football League (PFL) Partners Sporttadar for Multiyear Data, OTT and Integrity Services|url=https://www.sponsors.de/sites/default/files/philippines_football_league_pfl_partners_sportradar_for_multiyear_data_ott_and_integrity_services.pdf|accessdate=1 May 2018|date=22 February 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Saldajeno|first1=Ivan Stewart|title=PFL 2nd season returns on March 3|agency=Philippine News Agency|url=http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2018/02/01/pfl-2nd-season-returns-on-march-3/|publisher=Philippine Canadian Inquirer|accessdate=1 May 2018}}{{cite news|title=Philippines Football League (PFL) partners Sportradar for multiyear data, OTT and integrity services|url=https://calvinayre.com/2018/02/22/press-releases/philippines-football-league-pfl-partners-sportradar-multiyear-data-ott-integrity-services/|access-date=February 22, 2018|work=CalvinAyre.com|date=February 22, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222165453/https://calvinayre.com/2018/02/22/press-releases/philippines-football-league-pfl-partners-sportradar-multiyear-data-ott-integrity-services/|url-status=live}}
Singapore-based Red Card Global, a sports marketing agency has exclusive commercial rights to the PFL.{{cite news|last1=Osman|first1=Shamir|title={{sic|Phillip|pines|nolink=y}} reiterates opposition to ASL after launch of new pro league|url=https://tnp.straitstimes.com/sports/football/{{sic|phillip|pines|hide=y}}-reiterates-opposition-asl-after-launch-new-pro-league|access-date=April 22, 2017|work=The New Paper|date=April 13, 2017|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204083541/https://tnp.straitstimes.com/sports/football/{{sic|phillip|pines|hide=y}}-reiterates-opposition-asl-after-launch-new-pro-league|url-status=live}} Each club had to pay a franchise fee to participate in the league. Reportedly in April 2017, the franchise fee was pegged at $500,000 by the PFF which can be paid by member clubs within a period of five years.{{cite news|last1=Biantan|first1=Jack|title=Biantan: Aguilas FC lucky to have Jefferson Cheng|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/2017/04/10/biantan-aguilas-fc-lucky-have-jefferson-cheng-535895|access-date=April 12, 2017|work=Sun Star Cagayan de Oro|date=April 10, 2017|archive-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413153153/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/2017/04/10/biantan-aguilas-fc-lucky-have-jefferson-cheng-535895|url-status=live}}
The league is professional in nature, clubs are intended to have a share of the league's broadcast revenues and sponsorship. Each club is allowed to be assisted by the league in securing their own sponsors.
The professional status of the league is recognized by the Games and Amusements Board, the regulatory body for professional sports in the Philippines.{{cite news|title=GAB grants PFL professional license|url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/en-ph/news/gab-grants-pfl-professional-license/|access-date=May 6, 2017|work=Fox Sports Philippines|date=May 3, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
In October 2018, the Philippines Football Federation was awarded the League Development award by the Asian Football Confederation for its organization of the PFL.{{cite web |title=Philippine FF receives League Development Award |url=http://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/philippine-ff-receives-league-development-award |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=November 1, 2018 |date=October 31, 2018 |archive-date=October 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031171907/http://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/philippine-ff-receives-league-development-award |url-status=live }}
=Club identity=
=Players and salaries=
Participating clubs were allowed to have between 25 and 30 players. Reportedly in September 2016, four foreign players were to be allowed per club, with at least one coming from an AFC country. On January 17, 2017, it was reported that this foreign player limit rule was yet to be finalized by the PFF.{{cite news|last1=Biantan|first1=Jack|title=Stallions FC Laguna prepares for Philippine Football League|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/2017/01/17/stallions-fc-laguna-prepares-philippine-football-league-520527|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=Sun Star|date=January 17, 2017|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052332/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/2017/01/17/stallions-fc-laguna-prepares-philippine-football-league-520527|url-status=live}}
The PFL reportedly planned to have a salary cap and a salary floor.
=Youth development=
All participating clubs in the PFL were required to commit to the organization and development of at least two youth teams, one under 18 and another under 15. The clubs' youth teams were required to participate in competitions organized by the Philippine Football Federation.{{cite web|title=Club Licensing Regulations for Philippines Football League|url=http://pff.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/PFL-Club-Licesing-2016.pdf|publisher=Philippine Football Federation|access-date=September 7, 2016|location=Pasig|date=March 23, 2015|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921182317/http://pff.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/PFL-Club-Licesing-2016.pdf|url-status=live}}
=Stadiums=
The clubs of the PFL were required to have a certified home stadium either through ownership of the stadium or having an active contract with the owners of the stadium. Likewise, all clubs were required to have access to or own a training field and facility, although some clubs have been allowed to provisionally participate even without a designated home stadium.
Sponsorship
Title sponsor
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Company !Period !Ref. |
| Qatar Airways
|2020–2023 |
Media coverage
File:Ceres vs Kaya PFL prematch con May 11 2018.jpg
The Philippine Football Federation had an agreement with the People's Television Network to broadcast matches of the league which was signed in April 2017{{cite AV media | date=April 12, 2017 | title=PTV Network at PFF, pumirma ng kasunduan | trans-title=PTV Network and the PFF signed an agreement | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bibJhoaZEA | medium=Television production | publisher=People's Television Network | access-date=April 12, 2017 | archive-date=April 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412231501/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bibJhoaZEA | url-status=live }} though the network coverage of the league didn't last at least half a season.{{cite news|last1=Limpag|first1=Mike|title=Here's hoping to a better PFL in 2018|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2017/12/29/limpag-heres-hoping-better-pfl-2018-581596|access-date=January 2, 2018|work=Sun Star Cebu|date=December 28, 2017|archive-date=January 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101221803/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2017/12/29/limpag-heres-hoping-better-pfl-2018-581596|url-status=live}} Matches since then were live streamed through the MyCujoo online platform.{{cite news|last1=del Carmen|first1=Lorenzo|title=Smart Sports' Best of 2017: Banner year for Filipinas, Ceres-Negros|url=http://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/smart-sports-best-2017-football-banner-year-filipinas-ceres-negros/104879|access-date=January 2, 2018|work=Tiebreaker Times|date=January 1, 2018|archive-date=January 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102191434/http://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/smart-sports-best-2017-football-banner-year-filipinas-ceres-negros/104879|url-status=live}}
On February 22, 2018, the league had signed an agreement with Sportradar which would enable it livestream matches through Sportradar's Over-The-Top (OTT) platform.{{cite news|last1=del Carmen|first1=Lorenzo|title=PFL, Sportradar sign deal for online broadcast platform|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pfl-sportradar-sign-deal-online-broadcast-platform/109846|access-date=February 22, 2018|work=Tiebreaker Times|date=February 22, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222165418/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pfl-sportradar-sign-deal-online-broadcast-platform/109846|url-status=live}} In April 2018, Liga Futbol Inc. approved a budget to secure a broadcasting partner for the 2018 season.{{cite news|last1=Doble|first1=Henry|title=PFL soon to air live coverage|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/sports/2018/04/04/pfl-soon-air-live-coverage-596718|access-date=April 4, 2018|work=Sun Star Bacolod|date=April 4, 2018|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405024136/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/sports/2018/04/04/pfl-soon-air-live-coverage-596718|url-status=live}}
For the 2019 season, all matches were streamed on Facebook and the league's official website.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=Qatar Airways formalizes partnership with PFL |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092372 |access-date=January 31, 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=January 29, 2020 |quote=The PFL did not enjoy having televised matches all season long last year from the league season to the Copa Paulino Alcantara, although all of the matches were streamed live in the PFL website and in its Facebook page. |archive-date=January 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130002159/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1092372 |url-status=live }}
The Qatar Airways sponsorship deal signed with the league in January 2020 included provisions to broadcast selected matches live on television.{{cite news |title=PFF Inks Three-Year Partnership With Qatar Airways For The PFL |url=http://pff.org.ph/2020/01/29/pff-inks-three-year-partnership-with-qatar-airways-for-the-pfl/ |access-date=January 29, 2020 |publisher=Philippine Football Federation |date=January 29, 2020 |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129092638/http://pff.org.ph/2020/01/29/pff-inks-three-year-partnership-with-qatar-airways-for-the-pfl/ |url-status=live }} On October 15, during the virtual conference of the official launch of the 2020 PFL season, PFF President Mariano Araneta announced the partnership with One Play Sports as digital content partner.{{cite news |title=Qatar Airways-backed Season Kickoff Set October 25 |url=https://pfl.org.ph/qatar-airways-backed-season-kickoff-set-october-25/ |access-date=October 15, 2020 |publisher=Philippine Football League |date=October 15, 2020 |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017141236/https://pfl.org.ph/qatar-airways-backed-season-kickoff-set-october-25/ |url-status=live }} Matches were also broadcast on cable television through EXPTV on Cignal and on the PFL's social media.{{cite news |title=5 things to look forward to in the upcoming PFL season |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/10/21/2051246/5-things-look-forward-upcoming-pfl-season |access-date=October 21, 2020 |publisher=Phil Star |date=October 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031225349/https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/10/21/2051246/5-things-look-forward-upcoming-pfl-season |url-status=live }}
On April 4, 2024, the league announced that they will have a tv coverage through Premier Sports on Cignal and Sky Cable and livestream via Blast TV, Fiber TV and the PFL website.{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=950145940020080&id=100050740473225&mibextid=WC7FNe&rdid=lbv4gAUeYf9LyR6W |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.facebook.com}} In the same month, Matchday Media was announced to be the content and business development partner of the PFL, providing pitchside reporters for the league's coverage.{{cite news |last1=Fenix |first1=Ryan |title=Opinion: PFL expands to record 15 teams — but lopsided scores a necessary prelude to 'better league' |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/football/904652/opinion-pfl-expands-to-record-15-teams-but-lopsided-scores-a-necessary-prelude-to-better-league/story/ |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=GMA News |date=24 April 2024 |language=en}}
On January 8, 2025, all remaining games of the first and second round will be streamed live on matchday+.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2025 |title= |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/15am4GAHPD/? |access-date=January 15, 2025 |website=Facebook}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Philippines Football League}}
{{Football in the Philippines}}
{{Sports leagues in the Philippines}}
{{Metro Manila Sports}}
{{AFC leagues}}
Category:Sports leagues established in 2017
Category:Football leagues in the Philippines