2026 China League One

China League One
Season2026
Dates14 March – 7 November[1]
← 2025
2027 →

The 2026 C'estbon Chinese Football League 1 (Chinese: 2026怡宝中国足球甲级联赛) will be the 23rd season of China League One, the second tier of the Chinese football league pyramid, since its establishment in 2004.[2]

Summary

in 2022, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials launched an anti-corruption probe resulting in eight footballing officials being investigated for "suspected of violations of discipline and law".[3] In August 2024, former CCP Committee Secretary of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), Du Zhaocai, pleaded guilty to accepting more than US$6.1 million in bribes.[4] On 10 September, CFA banned 38 players, including former nationals, Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu, and five officials for life over allegations of match-fixing and other forms of corruption.[5] Other players and officials were also given shorter five years bans.[5]

Four China League One clubs were also punished with fines and point deductions for the 2026 China League One.[6] Changchun Yatai was docked four points. Meizhou Hakka, Ningbo and Suzhou Dongwu were docked three points each.[7]

Clubs

Club changes

Stadiums and locations

2026 China League One teams in Jiangsu
Team Head coach City Stadium Capacity 2025 season
Meizhou Hakka R China Zhu Jiong Wuhua Huitang Stadium 27,000 CSL, 15th
Changchun Yatai R China Yan Feng Changchun Development Area Stadium 23,400 CSL, 16th
Guangdong GZ-Power China Feng Feng Guangzhou Yuexiushan Stadium 18,000 3rd
Yanbian Longding South Korea Lee Ki-hyung Yanji Yanji Stadium 30,000 4th
Shijiazhuang Gongfu Spain Jesús Tato Shijiazhuang Yutong International Sports Center 38,000 5th
Jiangxi Dingnan United China Mao Biao Dingnan Dingnan Youth Football Training Center 12,000 6th
Nantong Zhiyun South Korea Kim Dae-eui Rugao Rugao Olympic Sports Center 25,000 7th
Dalian K'un City China Yang Lin Dalian Jinzhou Stadium 30,776 8th
Shaanxi Union China Chen Tao Xi'an Xi'an International Football Center 60,235 9th
Suzhou Dongwu China Guo Hui Suzhou Suzhou Sports Center 35,000 10th
Nanjing City China Zhang Xiaofeng Nanjing Wutaishan Stadium 22,000 11th
Ningbo China Li Weifeng Ningbo Ningbo Cixi Stadium (Cixi) 16,000 12th
Foshan Nanshi China Li Yao Foshan Nanhai Sports Center 20,000 13th
Shenzhen Juniors Spain David Pirri Shenzhen Bao'an Stadium 44,050 14th
Guangxi Hengchen P China Liu Junwei Nanning Guangxi Sports Center 60,000 CL2, 1st
Qinzhou Sports Center (Qinzhou)
Wuxi Wugo P South Korea Kim Bong-gil Wuxi Jiangyin Sports Centre (Jiangyin) 30,161 CL2, 2nd
Yixing Sports Center (Yixing)

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Shaanxi Union Curaçao Giovanni Franken Mutual consent 8 November 2025[11] Pre-season Netherlands Henk Fraser 1 January 2026[12]
Jiangxi Dingnan United China Liu Jianye Signed by Chongqing Tonglianglong 13 December 2025[13][14] China Mao Biao 14 December 2025[15]
Dalian K'un City China Zhao Faqing[16] Mutual consent 14 December 2025[16] China Zhang Yaokun 14 December 2025[16]
Shenzhen Juniors China Zhang Jun 22 December 2025[17] Spain Ramiro Amarelle 23 December 2025[18][19]
Changchun Yatai Portugal Ricardo Soares 31 December 2025[20] China Yan Feng 1 January 2026[21]
Suzhou Dongwu Spain Sergio Zarco Díaz 16 January 2026 China Yu Yuanwei 16 January 2026[21]
Ningbo Bulgaria Zoran Janković 26 January 2026 China Yang Lin 26 January 2026[22]
Meizhou Hakka China Qu Gang Signed by Changchun Yatai 1 January 2026[23] Switzerland Gino Lettieri 26 January 2026[24]
Foshan Nanshi China Zhang Xiaorui Signed by Meizhou Hakka 26 January 2026[24] China Zhang Chiming 11 March 2026[25]
Nanjing City China Zhang Xiaofeng Change of role 10 March 2026[26] Brazil Rodney Gonçalves 14 March 2026[27]
Ningbo China Yang Lin 6 April 2026[28] 14th China Li Weifeng 10 April 2026[29]
Shijiazhuang Gongfu China Niu Hongli Resigned 16 April 2026 12th China Xiao Zhanbo (interim) 16 April 2026
Meizhou Hakka Switzerland Gino Lettieri Resigned 26 April 2026 15th China Zhang Xiaorui (interim) 26 April 2026
Nanjing City Brazil Rodney Gonçalves Moved to technical director and assistant coach 27 April 2026 12th China Zhang Xiaofeng 27 April 2026
Shijiazhuang Gongfu China Xiao Zhanbo (interim) Returned to assistant coach role 30 April 2026 13th Spain Jesús Tato 30 April 2026
Meizhou Hakka China Zhang Xiaorui (interim) Returned to general manager 5 June 2026[30] 16th China Zhu Jiong 8 June 2026[31]
Suzhou Dongwu China Yu Yuanwei Mutual consent 3 July 2026[32] 15th China Guo Hui 4 July 2026[33]
Foshan Nanshi China Zhang Chiming Resigned 5 August 2026[34] 15th China Li Yao 7 August 2026[35]

Foreign players

  • Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
  • Players name in italics indicates the player is out of squad or left their respective clubs during the mid-season transfer window.
Team Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan players1 Naturalised players Reserves players Former players
Changchun Yatai Austria Constantin Reiner Colombia Juan Camilo Salazar Norway Ohi Omoijuanfo Hong Kong Clement Benhaddouche United States→China Lü Kaiwen2
Dalian K'un City Burkina Faso Cyrille Bayala Norway Kristoffer Normann Hansen Zimbabwe Nyasha Mushekwi Chinese Taipei Wu Yen-shu
Foshan Nanshi Netherlands Rodney Antwi Senegal Mame Mor Ndiaye Serbia Miloš Deletić Hong Kong Nicholas Benavides Brazil Gabriel Bispo
Guangdong GZ-Power Brazil João Carlos Brazil Nikão Guinea Ousmane Camara Chinese Taipei Wang Chien-ming Romania Alexandru Tudorie
Guangxi Hengchen Democratic Republic of the Congo Noel Mbo Georgia (country) Rati Ardazishvili Madagascar Loïc Lapoussin Chinese Taipei Yu Yao-hsing
Jiangxi Dingnan United Brazil Daciel Brazil Erikys Colombia Manuel Palacios Chinese Taipei Chen Po-liang Slovenia→China Marcel Petrov2
Meizhou Hakka Cameroon Vinni Triboulet France Théo Pellenard Morocco Hamza Sakhi Hong Kong Yu Wai Lim Romania Patrick Popescu
Nantong Zhiyun Brazil Lucas Kal Colombia Jasond González Democratic Republic of the Congo Aldo Kalulu Hong Kong Remi Dujardin South Korea→China Xu Hui2 Bulgaria Aleksandar Kolev
Nanjing City Brazil Robertinho Brazil Zé Vitor Cameroon Jerome Ngom Mbekeli Hong Kong Wong Wai
Ningbo Brazil Léo Cittadini Brazil Leonardo Serbia Stefan Tomović Chinese Taipei Chen Hao-wei Nigeria Viv Solomon-Otabor
Shaanxi Union Kosovo Astrit Selmani Netherlands Rayan El Azrak Syria Daleho Irandust Hong Kong Ma Hei Wai
Shenzhen Juniors Brazil Rodrigo Henrique England Joel Nouble Serbia Rade Dugalić Hong Kong Leung Nok Hang Cameroon Paul Garita
Shijiazhuang Gongfu Brazil Dominic Vinicius Brazil Higor Vidal Suriname Tyrone Conraad
Suzhou Dongwu Angola Estrela Brazil Farley Rosa Lebanon Omar Bugiel
Wuxi Wugo Bosnia and Herzegovina Tarik Isić Netherlands Nino Noordanus Uruguay Nicolás Albarracín
Yanbian Longding Brazil Giovanny Costa Rica Felicio Brown Forbes Portugal Joaquim Domingos Hong Kong Vas Nuñez
  • ^1 For Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwanese players, if they are non-naturalised and were registered as professional footballers in Hong Kong's, Macau's, or Chinese Taipei's football association for the first time, they are recognised as native players. Otherwise they are recognised as foreign players.
  • ^2 Naturalised players whose parents or grandparents were born in mainland China, thus are regarded as local players.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Guangdong GZ-Power 20 14 4 2 41 17 +24 46 Promotion to Super League
2 Shenzhen Juniors 20 10 6 4 31 22 +9 36
3 Yanbian Longding 20 9 8 3 30 18 +12 35
4 Nantong Zhiyun 19 9 8 2 25 14 +11 35
5 Guangxi Hengchen 19 9 6 4 34 24 +10 33
6 Shaanxi Union 19 7 5 7 28 21 +7 26
7 Ningbo 19 8 4 7 25 25 0 25[a]
8 Wuxi Wugo 18 6 5 7 29 23 +6 23
9 Changchun Yatai 19 8 2 9 33 34 −1 22[b]
10 Jiangxi Dingnan United 20 4 10 6 30 38 −8 22
11 Dalian K'un City 19 5 6 8 25 30 −5 21
12 Nanjing City 20 5 6 9 19 24 −5 21
13 Shijiazhuang Gongfu 20 5 6 9 16 24 −8 21
14 Suzhou Dongwu 20 4 7 9 17 26 −9 16[c] Qualification for Relegation play-offs
15 Meizhou Hakka 20 6 2 12 20 40 −20 11[d] Relegation to League Two
16 Foshan Nanshi 20 2 5 13 20 43 −23 11
Updated to match(es) played on 23 August 2026. Source:
Rules for classification:
  • During season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Rankings in the previous season. (Rules 2 to 4 are only applied when teams concerned have finished both/all the matches against others.)
  • After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card = 3 points); 8) Drawing of lots.
    Notes:
  1. ↑ Ningbo had 3 points deducted for violation of sports ethics and loss of sportsmanship, engaging in improper transactions to seek illegitimate benefits.[36]
  2. ↑ Changchun Yatai had 4 points deducted for violation of sports ethics and loss of sportsmanship, engaging in improper transactions to seek illegitimate benefits.[36]
  3. ↑ Suzhou Dongwu had 3 points deducted for violation of sports ethics and loss of sportsmanship, engaging in improper transactions to seek illegitimate benefits.[36]
  4. ↑ Meizhou Hakka had 9 points deducted for violation of sports ethics and loss of sportsmanship, engaging in improper transactions to seek illegitimate benefits.[36]

Results

Home \ Away CCY DKC FSN GZP GXH JDU MZH NJC NTZ NIB SXU SZJ SJZ SZD WXW YBL
Changchun Yatai — 2–1 6–0 1–2 1–2 – – 2–1 – – 2–1 0–4 2–2 1–0 1–5 –
Dalian K'un City – — 2–2 1–1 – 1–1 – 2–0 – – 2–2 5–4 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–2
Foshan Nanshi 1–3 – — 2–3 – 1–1 0–1 – 1–2 – 0–5 – 1–2 1–1 0–2 0–2
Guangdong GZ-Power – – 1–1 — 2–0 – 3–0 – 3–1 2–0 2–1 0–0 2–0 – 1–0 3–4
Guangxi Hengchen – 3–1 3–3 1–0 — 4–4 1–0 1–0 0–0 2–1 3–0 – – 3–3 – –
Jiangxi Dingnan United 2–3 2–1 – 1–3 2–1 — – 1–1 1–1 0–1 1–1 – 1–2 – 3–3 –
Meizhou Hakka 1–3 2–0 3–2 1–5 2–1 2–2 — – – 0–3 – 1–4 – 1–2 – 0–3
Nanjing City 2–1 – 3–1 0–1 – 1–1 2–0 — 1–1 1–2 – 1–3 – 1–0 – 0–0
Nantong Zhiyun – 1–0 – – – 5–1 1–3 1–0 — – 4–1 – 2–1 1–0 1–0 2–0
Ningbo 3–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 2–4 – – – 1–1 — – 0–3 2–1 – 2–3 2–3
Shaanxi Union 2–1 – – – – – 4–0 0–1 0–0 1–1 — 3–0 1–0 – 2–1 –
Shenzhen Juniors – – 0–3 – 1–1 3–3 – 3–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 — 2–0 – 1–0 1–0
Shijiazhuang Gongfu 1–0 – 0–1 – 0–3 1–2 0–1 2–1 1–1 – 2–1 – — 1–1 – 0–0
Suzhou Dongwu 2–1 1–2 – 2–2 1–0 0–1 1–0 – 0–0 1–2 0–3 0–0 – — 1–3 –
Wuxi Wugo – 2–3 2–0 0–3 – – 1–1 1–1 – – – 4–0 0–0 – — –
Yanbian Longding 2–2 3–1 – – 1–1 3–0 2–1 1–1 – 0–0 0–0 0–1 – 3–1 1–1 —
Updated to match(es) played on 23 August 2026. Source:
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Positions by round

To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
Guangdong GZ-Power22331111221111111111111
Shenzhen Juniors810542422112222255222
Yanbian Longding13756677456553524533
Nantong Zhiyun75213233333334332354
Guangxi Hengchen98478754565445443445
Shaanxi Union11121010111111129991097888866
Ningbo1414161616161313121210866666677
Wuxi Wugo31124566744689777788
Changchun Yatai16161514910121013131112111212111011119
Jiangxi Dingnan United54665345677710101010129910
Dalian K'un City47897889101012111211111211121211
Nanjing City6698101298888978999101012
Shijiazhuang Gongfu109111213131415151414141414131313131313
Suzhou Dongwu1311121512141514141515151515161514141414
Meizhou Hakka1515131115151616161616161616151616151515
Foshan Nanshi121314131491011111113131313141415161616
Leader and promotion to Super League
Promotion to Super League
Qualification to Relegation play-offs
Relegation to League Two
Updated to match(es) played on 23 August 2026. Source:

Results by match played

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
Changchun YataiLLWWWLLWLDWLWLWDLLW
Dalian K'un CityWDLWLDDLDLWLWLDDLLW
Foshan NanshiLLLWLWDDDDLLLLLLDLLL
Guangdong GZ-PowerWWLWWWWDLDWWDWWWDWWW
Guangxi HengchenLWWLLWWDDDDWWWDWLWD
Jiangxi Dingnan UnitedWDDDWWDLDDLDLDLDLWDL
Meizhou HakkaLLWWLLLLWDDWLLWLLWLL
Nanjing CityWDLDLLWWDWLLWLLLDDDL
Nantong ZhiyunWDWWDWLWDDWLDWDWDDW
NingboLLLLDWWDWDWWWWWLLDL
Shaanxi UnionLWLDDDDWLWLWWLWDLWL
Shenzhen JuniorsWLWWWLWWWDDLDDDLWWDW
Shijiazhuang GongfuLWLLLDLLLDDWLLDDDWWW
Suzhou DongwuLWLLWLLDLLDLDLDDWWDD
Wuxi WugoWWWLLDDLDWDDLWWLLL
Yanbian LongdingWDLWDDDDWDLWWWDWDLWW
Updated to match(es) played on 23 August 2026. Source:
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

References

  1. ↑ "中国足协公布2026赛季竞赛日历". www.thecfa.cn (in Chinese). 20 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  2. ↑ "官方：华润饮料冠名新赛季中国三级联赛" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 22 February 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "Prominent Sports Official Named In Xi Jinping's Chinese Football Corruption Investigation". 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "Report outlines Xi's push for fair competition, more 'just' global sports order". South China Morning Post. 2024-08-28. Archived from the original on 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  5. 1 2 "China's Football Association bans 43 people for life after corruption investigation". AP News. 2024-09-10. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  6. ↑ "China bans 73 people from soccer for life in latest anti-corruption controversy". AP News. 2026-01-29. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  7. ↑ "中国足球协会关于对有关涉案俱乐部及人员行业处罚情况的通报" (in Chinese). Chinese Football Association. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "广西恒宸4-1大胜长春喜都，提前5轮升入中甲，任康康梅开二度" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 14 September 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "中国足球职业联赛联合会关于对上海嘉定汇龙足球俱乐部变更注册会员协会进行公示的通知". www.csl-china.com (in Chinese). 22 December 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  10. ↑ "宁波足球俱乐部公布队徽：以"NB"为符号，暗含"出色、强劲"精神". news.zhibo8.com (in Chinese). 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "陕西联合官方：主帅乔瓦尼离任；本赛季率队获得中甲第9" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "官方：荷兰教练弗拉泽执教陕西联合；曾是张玉宁在荷甲的教练" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 1 January 2026. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "官方：刘建业不再担任定南赣联主教练；据悉将执教重庆铜梁龙" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 13 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "官方：前国脚刘建业出任重庆铜梁龙主帅，新赛季将带队征战中超" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 14 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "官方：39岁毛彪出任中甲定南赣联主教练" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 14 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 "大连鲲城官方：张耀坤出任总经理兼主帅，免去曲晓辉一切职务" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 14 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  17. ↑ "深圳青年人官方：张军将不再担任俱乐部一线队主教练一职" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  18. ↑ "国安官方祝福拉米罗：感谢，祝未来的工作和生活一切顺利" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 24 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  19. ↑ "官方：原北京国安代理主帅拉米罗出任深圳青年人新帅" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 23 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  20. ↑ "官方：苏亚雷斯不再担任亚泰主帅；25赛季他未能带队完成保级" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  21. 1 2 "官方：前重庆铜梁龙主教练于远伟出任苏州东吴新任主帅" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  22. ↑ "官方：经友好协商，杨林担任宁波俱乐部一线队主教练" (in Chinese). Hupu. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  23. ↑ "长春亚泰足球队官宣换帅！" (in Chinese). Tencent. 2 January 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  24. 1 2 "官方：张效瑞出任梅州客家总经理，莱蒂耶里担任主教练" (in Chinese). toutiao. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  25. ↑ "官方：37岁前国脚张池明执教佛山南狮" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 11 March 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  26. ↑ "南京城市总经理：2026年力争达成中甲联赛前六的赛季目标" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 10 March 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  27. ↑ "赛前｜2026全新征程共同捍卫我们的主场中甲首轮南京城市主场迎战长春亚泰" (in Chinese). Nanjing City F.C. via Dongqiudi. 14 March 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  28. ↑ "官方：中甲宁波队主教练杨林提出辞职，转任技术总监" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 6 April 2026. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  29. ↑ "官方：李玮锋出任中甲宁波队主教练，此前球队主帅杨林辞职" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 10 April 2026. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  30. ↑ "致谢与告别——俱乐部人员变动公告" (in Chinese). Meizhou Hakka F.C. 5 June 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  31. ↑ "官方：朱炯担任梅州客家主教练，刘寅涛任领队" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 8 June 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  32. ↑ "官方：于远伟不再担任苏州东吴主帅；目前球队排名中甲第15位" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 3 July 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  33. ↑ "足球报：于远伟下课后，苏州东吴俱乐部总经理郭辉兼任主教练" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 6 July 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  34. ↑ "官方：佛山南狮主帅张池明辞职；目前球队排名中甲第15名" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 5 August 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  35. ↑ "官方：前国脚李尧出任佛山南狮新任主帅" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 7 August 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "中国足球协会关于对有关涉案俱乐部及人员行业处罚情况的通报" (in Chinese). Chinese Football Association. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
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