The Sepak Takraw League, often referred as STL, is a Malaysian men's professional league for sepak takraw, a sport native to Southeast Asia. The competition was established in 2014 by the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) and Astro Group's subsidiary, Asia Sports Ventures, to develop the sport and groom players for the Malaysia men's national team. Since 2016, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between a top division called STL Premier and a second division called STL Division 1. A cup competition called STL Champions Cup was introduced in 2017, featuring the top teams from STL Premier and STL Division 1 as well as invitational sides from around Asia. All competitions under the league use the official International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) rules and regulation.
Since 2018, it has been administered by PSM and Astro Group under a different subsidiary, Astro Arena.
History Origins Malaysian sepak takraw was on the decline due to a talent pool shortage in the 2010s, with only 29 players available for national team selection at one point. A professional sepak takraw league was mooted in 2013 after Astro and UFA Sports Asia launched Singapore-based Asia Sports Ventures to undertake the development and global commercialisation of sepak takraw. Numerous discussions were held involving stakeholders to form a league similar to the Takraw Thailand League (TTL), which has been running since 2002. STL was officially launched by then Malaysian Minister of Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin and PSM president Ahmad Ismail in Putrajaya on 7 November 2014.
Foundation year In its first season, 128 teams participated to qualify for the main competition. The best 16 teams were drawn into four groups, with the top two teams of each group progressing to the knockout stage. Hanelang A were the inaugural STL champions after beating PDRM D in the Grand Final on 18 January 2015, and took home a grand prize of RM20,000.
Professional era The competition entered its professional era the following season as teams were consolidated and the league was narrowed down to eight teams. The league underwent another major revamp by introducing promotion and relegation system. The new format was well-received, with the viewership of STL hitting a new record of 5.6 million viewers in the 2016 season, improving from 4.8 million viewers a year earlier. STL Champions Cup was created the following year to promote the league outside Malaysia.
In 2018, STL played a huge role in helping Malaysia win a gold medal in sepak takraw at the Asian Games for the first time in 24 years. as the five players involved were from the league - Farhan Adam, Zulkifli Abdul Razak, Syahir Rosdi, Azlan Alias and Norhafizi Abdul Razak. In 2019, the league was officially broadcast outside of Malaysia for the first time, when Indonesian broadcaster TVRI covered STL Champions Cup.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic Due to the 2020 movement control order, the league was affected and three teams (Sabah Mountaineers, Sarawak Hunter and Labuan Driller) did not participate. Plans to hold the league around the country were also shelved with all STL Premier and Division 1 matches taking place at Titiwangsa Stadium, with no crowd in attendance. The season began in September but was halted indefinitely a month later. The season resumed again in December and concluded with Kuala Lumpur Thunder winning their maiden STL Premier title. The Kuala Lumpur side became only the second team to do a double by lifting the STL Champions Cup.
10 year anniversary In 2024, the Grand Prix format was implemented in STL Premier. 10 teams from the previous season plus 2 promoted teams from STL Division 1 competed in a league and championship format in each GP accumulating points in an overall table that determined the winner of STL Premier 2024. KL Thunder created history by sweeping all 5 GP wins to emerge as the overall champion, suffering only 2 losses across a total of 25 games.
Competition format Regular season There are currently 12 clubs in STL Premier. During the course of a season, the clubs play each other twice (a double round-robin system) for 18 games. The teams receive two points for a win and zero points for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then set difference and then point difference. As of the 2020 season, the top six teams qualify for STL Champions Cup. The two lowest placed teams are relegated to STL Division 1, and the top two teams from STL Division 1 are promoted in their place.
The GP format was maintained in 2025 with an additional venue in Arena 9, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. However, qualification from the group stage of each GP was updated, with the group winners progressing to the semi finals, while runners-up played in a 5th to 8th classification round. Melaka Titans created history by emerging as champion of the first GP in 2025, held in Terengganu.
For STL Division 1, there are currently 10 clubs, playing each other once. Starting with the 2020 season, teams are divided into two groups, with the top two of each group progress to a promotion playoff stage. Teams that reach the promotion playoff final are promoted to STL Premier and qualify for STL Champions Cup.
STL Champions Cup Since its inception in 2017, the top teams from STL Premier and STL Division 1, as well as several foreign teams, compete in the post-season tournament. 2024 saw the return of foreign teams to the competition, pitted against the top 4 teams from STL Premier. The 8 teams were divided into 2 groups, with the top 2 moving on to the semi finals. In the 2025 season, the number of teams was expanded to the top 5 STL Premier teams and 5 foreign teams.
Sponsorship
SeasonTitle sponsorOfficial sponsors/partners2016Budi Group, Dashing, Ekspres Perdana, iBookCourt, Marathon, Minamax Construction, National Education Savings Scheme, Sinar, Sports Arena Sentosa, Spritzer, Subang Jaya City Council2017Cactus, FBT, Innate Energy, iSooka, Sinar2018Era, FBT, Gegar, Sinar FM, Twitter2019Gegar, Gem In Mall, Jazz Hotel, Li-Ning, M Roof Hotel & Residences, Nokia, Sinar Harian, Syok, Zayan2020Idemitsu, Li-Ning, Sinar Harian2021/ 2022Kedai Emas Anuar Utusan Malaysia, BP Healthcare, Li-Ning, Idemitsu, Zayan, Sinar FM2022/ 2023Li-Ning, Idemitsu, Zayan, Sinar FM2024Li-Ning, Flash Sukan, Zayan, Sinar FM, Gegar2025CelcomDigiVida, Gajahmas, FBT-UFL, POS Malaysia, First Pride, Tickethotline, Zayan, Sinar FM, Gegar
Champions
STL (amateur era) SeasonChampionsRunners-up2014Hanelang APDRM D
STL Premier SeasonChampionsRunners-up2015ATM GuardiansPenang Black Panthers2016Penang Black PanthersKuala Lumpur Thunder2017Penang Black PanthersKuala Lumpur Thunder2018Penang Black PanthersATM Guardians2019Perak BisonATM Guardians2020Kuala Lumpur ThunderATM Guardians2021/22ATM GuardiansKuala Lumpur Thunder2022/23Perak BisonKuala Lumpur Thunder2024Kuala Lumpur ThunderPerak Bison2025Perak BisonKuala Lumpur Thunder
Grand Prix Format GPSelangorTerengganuPerakPenangJohorKuala LumpurNegeri Sembilan2024KL ThunderKL ThunderKL ThunderKL ThunderKL Thunder - -2025 -Melaka TitansPerak BisonMelaka TitansNegeri Sembilan AntlersMelaka Titans Negeri Sembilan Antlers
STL Division 1 SeasonChampionsRunners-up2016Perak BisonPSM Mavericks*2017Melaka TitansPDRM Defenders2018Negeri Sembilan AntlersSabah Mountaineers2019Selangor PistonsPahang Mammoth2020Bomba FightersPutrajaya Cyborg2021/22Melaka TitansKPT-Masum Knights2022/23PDRM DefendersTerengganu Turtles2024Kelantan WarriorsSelangor Pistons2025Melaka TitansBomba Fighters *Selangor Pistons were promoted instead of PSM Mavericks (then known as PSM A)
STL Champions Cup SeasonChampionsRunners-up2017Penang Black PanthersPerak Bison2018Penang Black PanthersATM Guardians2019Johor TigrisPenang Black Panthers2020Kuala Lumpur ThunderPenang Black Panthers2021/22Kuala Lumpur ThunderJohor Tigris2022/23Negeri Sembilan AntlersPerak Bison2024Negeri Sembilan AntlersKuala Lumpur Thunder2025Negeri Sembilan AntlersKuala Lumpur Thunder
Clubs
Current ClubCurrent divisionin 2025First season inSTL PremierTotal seasons inSTL PremierBest result inSTL PremierSTL Champions Cup appearances ATM Guardians Premier 2015 6 Champions (2015, 2021/22) 4 (2018, 2019, 2020 2021/22) Bomba Fighters Premier 2021 1 - 1 (2020) Johor Tigris Premier 2015 6 3rd (2019, 2020) 4 (2018, 2019, 2020, 2025) Kedah Eagles Division 1 2015 2 7th (2016) - Kelantan Warriors Premier 2015 6 4th (2015, 2017) 4 (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) KPT MASUM/ Malaysian University Knights Division 1 - - - - Kuala Lumpur Thunder Premier 2015 6 Champions (2020, 2024) 7 (2017, 2018, 2020, 2021/22,2022/23, 2024, 2025) Melaka Titans Premier 2015 3 3rd (2025) 2 (2017, 2025) Negeri Sembilan Antlers Premier 2019 2 4th (2020, 2025) 5 (2018, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025) Pahang Mammoth Division 1 2020 1 9th (2020) - PDRM Defenders Premier 2018 3 7th (2018) 1 (2017) Penang Black Panthers Premier 2015 6 Champions (2016, 2017, 2018) 4 (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) Penjara EnforcersDivision 1 - - - - Perak Bison Premier 2017 4 Champions (2019, 2023, 2025) 5 (2017, 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025) Perlis Vipers Division 1 - - - - PSM Mavericks Division 1 - - - - Putrajaya Cyborg Division 1 2021 1 - 1 (2020) Sabah MountaineersDivision 1 - - - - Sarawak HunterDivision 1 - - - - Selangor Pistons Premier 2017 3 6th (2025) 1 (2024) Terengganu Turtles Premier 2015 5 2nd (2016) -*updated as of the 2025 season
Former ClubFirst seasonFinal seasonNote PSM Drillers 2016 2019 Did not compete in the 2018 season. Labuan Drillers 2016 2018 Did not compete in the 2019 season. Pulled out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19.
Name changes ClubFormer nameATM GuardiansATMJohor TigrisSouthern TigrisKedah EaglesNorthern RangersKelantan WarriorsGomo WarriorsKuala Lumpur ThunderCity FlyersMelaka TitansGreen TitansPenang Black PanthersBlack PanthersPerak BisonPerak The Bos GaurusPDRM DefendersPDRMPSM MavericksPSM APSM DrillersPSM BTerengganu TurtlesEast Coast Surfers
International clubs ClubCountrySeasonBest performance inSTL Champions CupManang City VoyagersThailand20173rdAndalas IslandersIndonesia2017Group stageKorea HaechiSouth Korea20194thChina Great WallChina2019Group stageIndonesia GarudaIndonesia2019Group stageSingapore LionsSingapore2019Group stageMGPC SingaporeSingapore2024Group stageGaruda SepaktakrawIndonesia2024Group stageRoyal Thai Air Force Sepaktakraw ClubThailand 2024Group stageSTFI India FightersIndia2024, 2025Group stageRatchaburi Takraw ClubThailand20254thGoyang City Hall South Korea2025Group StageJapan Sepak TakrawJapan2025Group Stage
Awards
STL Premier