Sapling Cup (Hongkong) 2024/25

The Sapling Cup was a football tournament in Hong Kong, organized by the local association. It ran from 2015 until the end of the 2024–25 season. Southern District FC won the final edition. The event served as a youth development tool for clubs in the top tier. Teams had to field at least two Under-22 players. This rule distinguished it from senior competitions. Foreign player quotas were also stricter. The format changed often. Early years used group stages and semi-finals. Some seasons featured a single-elimination knockout. Later, double round-robin groups led to the final matches. Top clubs like Kitchee and Southern District claimed the trophy twice. Other winners included Rangers FC, Tai Po FC, Lee Man FC, Eastern SC, and Sun Pegasus. The tournament appeared under different sponsor names: JC Sapling Cup, Henderson Sapling Cup, and R&F Properties Sapling Cup. It was not the most prestigious cup in Hong Kong. The Senior Shield and the HKFA Cup are older and focus on senior players without age restrictions. The Sapling Cup operated mainly as a pre-season activity in October and November.

The Sapling Cup (Chinese: 菁英盃) was a domestic football competition in Hong Kong. Founded in 2015, it ended after the 2024–25 season. The tournament was discontinued in favor of the revived HKFA League Cup. The competition focused on youth development. Teams participating in the Hong Kong Premier League were required to field a minimum number of Under-22 players. This regulation set the event apart from senior knockout competitions. The format varied over time, using group stages, knockouts, or round-robin groups. The most successful teams were Kitchee SC and Southern District FC, each winning two titles. Rangers FC also claimed a victory. The tournament was often sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. It was considered less prestigious than the historic Senior Shield or the HKFA Cup. The final champions were Southern District FC.