League One (China) 2026/27

China League One operates as the second tier of professional football in China, positioned directly below the Chinese Super League and above China League Two. Governed by the Chinese Football Association and operated by the Chinese Professional Football League, the competition was established in 2004 during a major restructuring of the domestic system. This reorganisation rebranded the previous Jia-B League into its current format.

The season follows a double round-robin system where each club plays every other participant twice, resulting in 30 matches per side. There are no play-offs for the league title, with the champion determined solely by final standings. Promotion and relegation are strict: the top two teams advance automatically to the Chinese Super League, while the bottom two sides drop to China League Two. This structure contrasts with the third tier, which utilises regional groups and promotion play-offs.

Liaoning Tieren entered the record books as the 2025 champions, securing their first title and promotion alongside Chongqing Tonglianglong. Historical success is shared among several clubs, with Dalian Professional, Guangzhou, and Henan each claiming the title twice. Previous winners include Wuhan Huanghelou in 2004 and Xiamen Blue Lions in 2005, marking the early years of the modern era.

Sponsorship has seen shifts over time, with 58.com taking the title spot in 2016 and China Resources Beverage leading the league in 2025. Financial constraints distinguish this level from the top flight, featuring stricter salary caps for clubs and a different foreign player quota structure, all within the framework of Chinese Football Association regulations aimed at controlling expenditure.