The Nepalese football league hierarchy features a comprehensive system encompassing two professional leagues, two semi-professional leagues, and various amateur leagues catering to football clubs across the nation.
At the top tier stands the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League, inaugurated in 1954. Below it are the semi-professional leagues, including the Martyr's Memorial B-Division League, established in 2003, serving as the second division, and the Martyr's Memorial C-Division League and Martyr's Memorial C-Division League Qualifier, also known as the D-Division, was founded in 2003 and represents the third and fourth divisions, respectively.
Since 2021, a private sector-owned and ANFA-supported professional franchise football league called the Nepal Super League has been organized. Though the league is professional, it is still not included in the league tier system.
For women's football, the premier competition is the ANFA Women's League, previously referred to as the National Women's League of Nepal, which began in 1998.
This structure ensures a pathway for clubs to progress and develop within the Nepalese football ecosystem. Criticism Due to poor planning, influence of Political Parties and Corruption after 2015 there is not happening the league and Matches in Nepal. Men's A-Divisioin League, B-Divisioin League, C-Divisioin League and C-Divisioin League Qualifiers are the top 3 tier Football leagues organized by ANFA and other province leagues organized by the respective province football Association. Pyramid
Level Franchise/Division leaguesFranchise LeagueNepal Super League 7 clubs – ↓ No relegation Tier 1 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League 14 clubs – ↓ 2 relegationTier 2 Martyr's Memorial B-Division League 14 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 2 relegations Tier 3Martyr's Memorial C-Division League 14 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 2 relegations Tier 4Martyr's Memorial C-Division League Qualifiers all clubs can participate in the qualification process – 2 promotions ↑
National League Level National leagues Tier 1 Nepal National League Top 6 Clubs from A- Division League & Top 4 Clubs From ANFA President LeagueTier 2 ANFA President League Top (4 Clubs) ↑ Province leaguesKoshiMadheshBagmatiGandakiLumbiniKarnaliSudurpashchimTier 3Koshi Province Premier League Winner & Runner-up (2 Clubs) ↑Madhesh Province Football League Winner (1 Club) ↑Bagmati Province Football League Winner & Runner-up (2 Clubs) ↑Gandaki Province Football League Winner (1 Club) ↑Lumbini Province Football League Winner (1 Club) ↑Karnali Province Football League Winner (1 Club) ↑Sudurpashchim Province Football League Winner (1 Club) ↑ National Playoff winner (1 Club)↑Tier 4 District Leagues
League system
Status evolution Professional leagues Semi-professional leaguesAmateur leagues Year Franchise top tier Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 and below1954 – 2003Martyr's Memorial A-Division LeagueDifferent state cups (without top divisions) 2003–2021Martyr's Memorial A-Division LeagueMartyr's Memorial B-Division LeagueMartyr's Memorial C-Division League C Division QualifiersDifferent state cups (without top divisions)2021 – Nepal Super LeagueMartyr's Memorial A-Division LeagueMartyr's Memorial B-Division LeagueMartyr's Memorial C-Division League C Division QualifiersDifferent province leagues (without top divisions)
Women's LevelLeagues1ANFA Women's League2ANFA Women's League Qualifiers
Youth LevelCompetitionAge categoryMen's NationalANFA U-18 Youth LeagueUnder-18ANFA U-16 Youth LeagueUnder-16Women's NationalANFA Junior Girl's National Football ChampionshipUnder-17
Cup competitions Major cups The following tournaments were sanctioned by the All Nepal Football Association for 2019. TournamentCityDistrictProvinceShahid Bhim Narayan Gold CupDhankutaDhankutaKoshi ProvinceMai Valley Gold CupIlamIlamJhapa Gold CupBirtamodJhapaDamak Gold CupDamakDhailadubba Gold CupKankaiMechinagar Gold CupMechinagarBirat Gold CupBiratnagarMorangFalgunanda Gold CupPhidimPanchtharBudha Subba Gold CupDharanSunsariManmohan Duhabi Gold CupDuhabiMadan Bhandari Invitational Itahari Gold CupItahariUdayapur Gold CupGaighatUdayapurTaplejung Gold CupPhunglingTaplejungSimara Gold CupJitpur SimaraBaraMadhesh ProvinceBishal Memorial Gold CupBirgunjParsaRajashree Janak Gold CupLalbandiSarlahiBikash Shield Football TournamentBharatpurChitwanBagmati ProvinceHetauda Gold CupHetaudaMakawanpurKavre Gold CupDhulikhelKavrepalanchokNuwakot Gold CupBidurNuwakotSindhu CupLamosanguSindhupalchowkAaha Rara Gold CupPokharaKaskiGandaki ProvincePokhara CupPokhara International Football TournamentNepalgunj Gold CupNepalgunjBankeKarnali ProvinceTilottama Gold CupButwalRupandehiSuduspaschim Khaptad Gold CupDhangadhiKailaliSudurpashchim Province
Other cups ANFA Cup (1980–2009) San Miguel Itahari Gold Cup (2007) Mahendra Gold Cup (1982–2004) Khukuri Gold Cup (1998–2004) Birendra Memorial Cup (2002) Birthday Cup* (1982–2005) Devi Maya Memorial Shield (1953) Tribhuvan Challenge Shield** (1948–1986) National League Cup (1985–1999) Ram Janaki Football Tournament KP Oli Cup Pokhara Cup
*Founded in 1974 to commemorate the 29th birthday of King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah. **Founded in 1948 by King Tribhuvan.
References