Myanmar National League

Myanmar National League (Burmese: မြန်မာနေရှင်နယ်လိဂ်) often referred to as MNL, is the highest level of the Myanmar football league system. Contested by 12 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the MNL-2. Seasons typically run from August to May, with each team playing 22 games.^[1]

In the past, professional football competition in Myanmar has only existed in a limited form. Premier leagues have been made up of Yangon-based clubs, most of which were affiliated with government ministries. It was only after 1996 when the Premier League (Burmese: ပထမတန်း) was relaunched as the Myanmar Premier League that non-government clubs were invited. Still, the league was based only in Yangon.

The Myanmar Football Federation sought approval from the government to launch a nationwide league in February 2008, and finally received permission to set up private clubs in December of the same year. Each club was permitted to sign at most five foreign players and one foreign coach. The government granted tax exemptions for an initial three-year period, while each club owner must provide a minimum initial investment of Ks 200 million.^[2] The investment covered costs such as salaries, transportation, and equipment, but does not include the club stadiums, which are all nationalized.^[3]

In 2009, the league replaced the Myanmar Premier League with eight professional clubs representing different regions across the nation.^[2] On 16 May 2009, the league launched its inaugural two-month tournament, the Myanmar National League Cup 2009, in preparation for the first full season.^[4] Despite its national ambitions, the league held the MNL Cup 2009 matches in the country's two main stadiums in Yangon due to the lack of adequate facilities elsewhere. On 5 July 2009, Yadanabon FC defeated Yangon United FC in the MNL Cup final to become the first-ever MNL champion.

The league added three clubs for the 2010 season,^[5] and one more club joined for the 2011 season, bringing the total to twelve clubs.^[6] Two more clubs representing Chin and Shan states participated in the MNL season starting in January 2012.^[7][8]

Starting from the 2019 season, Shan United established themselves as the most powerful force in the Myanmar National League (MNL). In 2020, they secured their third league title, finishing ahead of Hantharwady United in a season affected by the global pandemic. This victory was the spark that started their long-running dynasty in Burmese football.

After a break in the league in 2021, Shan United returned for the 2022 season and pulled off a historic achievement: they finished the entire season undefeated. By winning 15 matches and drawing 3, they proved to be far ahead of their competition. Their defense was particularly strong during this run, giving up only 9 goals in 18 games.

In the 2023–24 season, the club continued to stay at the top, winning their fifth league title. Their home matches at Taunggyi Stadium became legendary for being nearly impossible for away teams to win. During this period, Shan United also became a regular name in Asian continental football, representing Myanmar in the AFC Cup and the AFC Challenge League.

By the end of the 2024-25 season, Shan United made history by winning their sixth league title. More importantly, they became the first club in the professional era of Myanmar football to win four consecutive league titles (2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024–25).

While other big clubs like Yangon United and rising teams like Thitsar Arman have tried to challenge them, Shan United’s financial backing and consistent squad building have kept them at the top of the pyramid throughout the mid-2020s.

There are 12 clubs in the Myanmar National League. During the course of a season (usually from January to September), each club plays the others twice (a double round-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 22 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss.

Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. If teams are still equal, the head-to-head record between the tied teams is used as the tie-breaker. If a tie persists for the championship or relegation, a play-off match may be organized by the Myanmar Football Federation to decide the final ranking.

A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Myanmar National League and the MNL-2 (Second Division). At the end of the season, the two lowest-placed teams in the MNL are relegated to MNL-2, while the top two teams from MNL-2 are promoted to the top flight for the following season.

The number of clubs in the league has fluctuated since its founding in 2009. While it began with 8 clubs, it expanded to 12 clubs for much of the 2010s. In recent years, particularly following the 2023 season, the league has worked to stabilize the number of participating clubs at 12 to ensure a competitive balance and sustainable club licensing standards.

(For Burmese champions before 2009, see Myanmar Premier League)

Undefeated champions:

• Shan United in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024-2025 and 2025-26

Twelve clubs are competing in the 2025–26 season – top tenth from the previous season and two promoted from the MNL-2.

There are 24 teams that have taken part in 16 Myanmar National League championships that were played from the 2009 season until the 2025–26 season. The teams in bold compete in the Myanmar National League currently. The year in parentheses represents the most recent year of participation at this level.

The number of teams from the Myanmar National League participating in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions is determined by Myanmar's position in the AFC Club Competitions Ranking. For the 2025–26 season, Myanmar is ranked 14th in the East Region, which grants the league two spots in the AFC Challenge League (Asia's third-tier continental competition). League Champions: The winner of the 2024–25 Myanmar National League qualifies automatically for the AFC Challenge League group stage. Cup Winners / League Runners-up: The winner of the MNL League Cup (or the league runners-up if the same team wins both) earns a spot in the AFC Challenge League qualifying play-offs.

The ranking below takes into account of each association's performance in Asian competitions over the past eight seasons, with the 2025–26 season underway. The final ranking at the end of the 2025–26 season will be used to determine the slot allocation for the 2027–28 AFC club competitions.

As of 20 February 2026, the ranking is as follows:^[10]

As of 31 May 2024

Figures for active players (in bold).

As of 16 August 2024

Figures for active players (in bold).

• Youngest player: Myat Kaung Khant (Yadanarbon) — 17 years, 6 months (15 January 2018, Yadanarbon 5–2 Ayeyawady United, 2018 Myanmar National League)
• Oldest player: Chit Myo Hteik (Mahar United) — 44 years (17 March 2026, Mahar United 2-1 Ayeyawady United, 2025-26 Myanmar National League)
• Youngest scorer: Myat Kaung Khant (Yadanarbon) — 17 years, 6 months (15 January 2018, Yadanarbon 5–2 Ayeyawady United, 2018 Myanmar National League)
• Oldest scorer: Chit Myo Hteik (Sagaing United) — 38 years (17 August 2019, Dagon 5—2 Sagaing United, 2019 Myanmar National League)
• Fastest scorer: Kaung Sithu (Yangon United) - 14 seconds (10 March 2026, Yadanarbon FC 2-3 Yangon United, 2025-26 Myanmar National League)
• Most consecutive matches scored: Yadanarbon - 21
• Longest clean sheet: 630 minutes — Kyaw Zin Htet
• Most goals in a season: 28 — Cezar Augusto (Yangon United, 2015)
• Most titles won: 8 — David Htan (Yangon United, Shan United)
• Most seasons appeared: 17 — David Htan (2009–2025)

• Champion: Ks. 100,000,000
• Runner-up: Ks. 70,000,000
• Third place: Ks. 50,000,000

• Official website
• League at fifa.com
• Soccer Myanmar
• RSSSF.com - Myanmar - List of champions