Championnat National (Benin) 2026/27

The Championnat National du Bénin occupies the highest position within the national football pyramid. The competition sits above the Division 1 (Second Division) and various regional championships. It operates under the administration of the Ligue de Football Professionnel du Bénin (LFP). The league is distinct from the Benin Cup (Coupe du Bénin), which serves as the primary knockout tournament.

The current structure differs significantly from historical formats. For the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 seasons, the competition features approximately 36 teams split into two main groups, designated as Group A and Group B. Each group contains around 18 teams. Teams engage in a double round-robin format within their respective groups. Progression depends on performance: the top teams from each group advance to a championship final stage, while the lower-ranked sides enter a relegation round.

Relegation and promotion rules dictate movement between tiers. In recent seasons, typically two teams are relegated from the Championnat National to the second tier. Conversely, two teams are promoted from Division 1 to the top flight. Structural reforms have shaped the league over time. A notable change occurred in the 2019–2020 season with the introduction of stricter infrastructure requirements. This period also saw a shift to the current multi-group format to accommodate a larger number of participating clubs.

The competition has undergone several name changes, often incorporating sponsor names such as Vitalor Ligue 1 and currently Celtiis Ligue Pro. The most successful club in the league's history is AS Dragons de l'Ouémé, with 12 titles. Other historically successful clubs include Buffles du Borgou FC (5 titles), Mogas 90 FC (3 titles), Requins de l'Atlantique (3 titles), and Coton FC (3 titles, including a recent three-peat from 2021–22 to 2023–24). The current champion (2024–25) is Dadjé FC.