Stars League (Qatar) 2026/27

The Stars League stands as the premier division of football in Qatar. It is organized by the Qatar Football Association and has operated under its current name since 2009, following a period when it was known simply as the Q-League. The competition began its official history in the 1972–73 season, though unofficial matches were played earlier.

The structure of the season runs from September to April. Clubs participate in a double round-robin format, meaning every team plays each opponent twice, once at home and once away. There are no post-season playoffs to determine the winner. Instead, the team finishing with the highest number of points is crowned champion. This system places significant emphasis on consistency over the course of the long campaign.

The league currently comprises twelve clubs. Among the participants are Al Ahli Doha, Al Sailiya SC, Al Shahaniya SC, Al Shamal SC, Al Wakrah, and Al-Arabi SC. Al-Sadd SC holds the record for the most titles in the league’s history with nineteen championships. Al-Duhail SC and Al-Rayyan SC follow with eight titles each. The champion of the Stars League secures a direct spot in the AFC Champions League Elite, highlighting the competition's regional significance.

Positioning within the table dictates movement between tiers. The club finishing in twelfth place faces automatic relegation to the Qatari Second Division. The eleventh-placed team must enter a play-off against the runner-up of the second tier to avoid dropping down. The winner of the second division earns promotion directly. These rules ensure that the top flight remains competitive and that the hierarchy of Qatari football is maintained annually.