The CFA U21 League is an under-21 echelon competition organized by the Chinese Football Association (CFA). Established in 2014, it serves as a high-level competition platform for young Chinese players and a crucial talent pipeline for Chinese football. Starting from 2025, the league has been integrated into the China Football Youth Elite League as part of a broader restructuring of China's youth football competition system.[1][2][3][4][5]
Current season, competition or edition: 2025 season | |
| Classification | Youth development league |
|---|---|
| Sport | Association football |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Chinese Football Association |
| No. of teams | 19 (2025 season) |
| Country | China |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Most recent champion | Wuhan Three Towns (2024) |
| Level on pyramid | U21 Echelon |
History
editEarly years (2014–2020)
editThe U21 League was founded by the Chinese Football Association in 2014. Its primary objectives were to provide competitive playing opportunities for young players from professional clubs and to identify and develop talent for the national team. The initial scale of the competition was relatively small, primarily involving the U21 echelons of professional clubs.[2]
Reform and development (2021–2024)
editThe league was restarted in 2021 after a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant reforms were implemented for the 2022 season, leading to improvements in the competition structure. A major incentive was introduced in the 2023 season: the champion and runner-up of the U21 League earned direct promotion to the following season's China League Two (the third tier of Chinese football), which significantly enhanced the league's competitiveness and appeal.[2][4]
Integration and improvement (2025)
editOn April 30, 2025, the China Football Professional League Federation officially announced the integration of U21, U17, and U15 echelon events under the unified banner of the "China Football Youth Elite League". The U21 League became a core component of this new structure, marking a significant step in the further development of China's youth football competition system.[2][5]
Restructuring and reform (2026–present)
editIn 2026, the China Football Professional League Federation (CFL) announced the creation of a new U20 League, merging the previous under-19 and U21 competitions under the China Youth Football League. The CFL stated it would no longer require Chinese Super League clubs to enter teams, and the competition was opened to social institutions and school teams alongside professional club academies.[6] The inaugural U20 League season featured 28 teams, including 13 Chinese Super League academy sides, five from China League One, five from China League Two, two from the China Amateur Football League, two social academies, and one school team.[7]
The competition adopted a three-stage format. The first stage consisted of two ranking rounds held in Tangshan, Kunming, and Meizhou from 24 April to 21 May, using a snake arrangement to divide the 28 teams based on weighted results from the previous season's U21, U19, and U17 leagues.[8] Following the ranking stage, teams were divided into four tiers: Group A (1st–6th), Group B (7th–12th), Group C (13th–18th), and Group D (19th–24th).[9]
The second and third stages introduced a home-and-away double round-robin format for Groups A and B, comprising 10 rounds each, while Groups C and D continued with tournament-based single round-robin matches of five rounds.[10] A promotion and relegation mechanism was established between the tiers. The bottom teams in higher groups faced the top teams of lower groups in single-match playoffs, while the lowest team in Group C and the highest team in Group D exchanged positions automatically.[11]
The second stage commenced on 13 June 2026. Group A comprised Shanghai Shenhua, Zhejiang, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Shenzhen Xinpengcheng, Shaanxi Union, and Guangdong Guangzhou Leopard. Group B consisted of Henan, Beijing Guoan, Shandong Taishan, Shanghai Port, Ningbo, and Hubei Youth Star.[12] Matches were broadcast on Douyin, Football Channel APP, Leisu Sports, and Live Bar.[13]
Player eligibility rules were adjusted for the U20 League. Eligible players were required to be born on or after 1 January 2006, with each team permitted to register a maximum of six over-age players aged 21 to 23 (with no more than two aged 23), and no more than three over-age players allowed on the pitch simultaneously. Teams could also register up to 12 under-age players aged 16 to 17.[14]
The qualification pathway to professional football was modified. The U20 League champion earned the right to compete in a promotion playoff against the fourth-placed team of the China Amateur Football League (CMCL) for a single berth in the following season's China League Two, representing 0.5 of a promotion place.[15] This represented a reduction from the previous two direct promotion spots available to the U21 League.[16] Additionally, the 2026 season rules stipulated that clubs with B-teams already competing in China League Two were not required to enter the U20 League, and that B-teams relegated from China League Two would drop into the U20 League rather than the CMCL.[17]
The championship was determined through a potential playoff between the Group A leaders of the second and third stages; if the same team topped both stages, it was crowned champion automatically.[18]
On 10 April 2026, the CFL and the Premier League co-hosted a youth development exchange conference in Beijing, ahead of the U20 League launch. The event brought together 49 representatives from Chinese Super League, China League One, and China League Two clubs, including investors, general managers, youth development heads, technical directors, and coaches, to discuss youth development systems and player pathways with Premier League experts.[19][20] The CFL indicated that the U20 League structure could evolve toward a tiered system with separate super and first divisions in future seasons, with the top tier operating a full home-and-away schedule.[21]
Competition format
editThe tournament format combines knockout and double round-robin stages, culminating in a total of 312 matches per season.
The league is structured in four main phases:
- Group Stage: Held in mid-to-late April, played in a home-and-away format.
- Preliminary Stage: Takes place in mid-to-early May, mid-to-early July, and mid-August.
- Promotion Stage: Held in mid-to-late September.
- Final Stage: Scheduled from late November to early December.[22]
Eligibility and registration
edit- Participation is mandatory for Chinese Super League clubs. Chinese League one and Chinese League Two clubs are eligible to enter teams.
- A club's B team that has already qualified for China League Two may voluntarily choose to register.
- Each team must register a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 30 players at the start of the season, including at least two goalkeepers.
- The core playing squad consists of players born between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005.
- A maximum of 2 overage players (over U21) and a maximum of 15 younger players (under U21) can be registered.
- Foreign players, non-Chinese naturalized players, and players from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are not permitted to register.
- During matches, no more than 3 overage players are allowed on the field simultaneously.[1][23][24]
Promotion policy
editIn the 2024 season the champion and runner-up of the U21 League obtain qualification to compete in the following season's China League Two, providing a direct pathway for young players to enter the professional league pyramid.[25][26]
Past champions
edit| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Third Place | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | Beijing Guoan | — | — | Won the championship with an undefeated record[27] |
| 2023 | Shandong Taishan | Shanghai Seaport | — | Champion and runner-up promoted to China League Two[28][29] |
| 2024 | Wuhan Three Towns | Chengdu Rongcheng | Shanghai Shenhua | Champion and runner-up promoted |
| 2025 | Dalian Yingbo | Zhejiang | Shanghai Shenhua | Champion promoted to 2026 China League Two after playoff victory[30][31] |
| 2026 | ||||
Development and impact
editTalent production
editThe league has become a vital talent pool for China's national youth teams. In the past two selection cycles, 14 players from the U21 League have been called up to the Chinese U19 national team, including notable prospects such as Liu Chengyu, Wang Yifan, and Wang Yudong.[32]
Future reforms
editAccording to reports, the professional echelon competition system is set for a major overhaul in the 2026 season. Plans are underway to merge the U21 League with the men's U19 group of the China Youth Championship to create a premier youth elite competition. This new structure is expected to adopt a weekend/weekly home-and-away match format to enhance game quality and player development.[33]
Recent events
edit- November 12, 2025: The draw for the 2025 Chinese Champions League-U21 League play-offs was held in Beijing. The winners of these play-offs will secure the final spot for the 2026 China League Two season.[34]
- November 2025: Promising young player Wang Yudong is reportedly scheduled to join the Zhejiang U21 team for the final stage of the U21 League to aid their push for a high finish.[35][32]
- The 2024 season highlighted a significant competitive gap, with lopsided results such as Shanghai Shenhua U21's 6–0 victory over Cangzhou Lions U21, while the bottom-placed team remained on single-digit points, sparking debate about competitive balance.[36][37]
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 "中足联官方发布U21联赛报名通知：中超俱乐部强制参加|北京国安|天津津门虎|上海申花|山东泰山|长春亚泰|河南|浙江|上海海港|青岛海牛|梅州客家|上海嘉定汇龙|南通支云|定南赣联|辽宁铁人|苏州东吴|深圳新鹏城|成都蓉城|武汉三镇|青岛红狮|广西平果|南京城市|青岛西海岸|佛山南狮|延边龙鼎|石家庄功夫|云南玉昆|大连英博|重庆铜梁龙|大连鲲城|广东广州豹|陕西联合|深圳青年人|中足联|懂球帝". m.dongqiudi.com. Retrieved 2025-11-12.[dead link]
- 1 2 3 4 网易 (2023-11-06). "2023赛季U21联赛总结：U系列联赛，中国足协青训之关键". www.163.com. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ↑ "2023中国足球协会U-21联赛（决赛第一阶段）在呼和浩特开幕_国家体育总局". www.sport.gov.cn. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- 1 2 "中国足球协会关于做好2024年职业俱乐部各级梯队联赛参赛工作的通知-中国足球协会官方网站". www.thecfa.cn. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- 1 2 腾讯网 (2025-04-30). "中足联官方：现将梯队赛事统一调整为中国足球青少年精英联赛_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ↑ "新的U20联赛不强求中超球队报名参赛分三阶段". 7M足球新闻 (in Chinese). 31 March 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "中青赛U20组参赛名单：28支参赛球队，包括13支中超U20梯队". 腾讯新闻 (in Chinese). 23 April 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "中青赛U20组赛程：4月24日开战，赛制共分为三个阶段". 凤凰网 (in Chinese). 23 April 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "U20联赛积分榜数据列表". 懂球帝 (in Chinese). 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "中青赛U20第二阶段赛程：采取主客场赛制". 直播吧 (in Chinese). 11 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "王赟带队周日开启U20第二阶段！全新赛制容错率极低！". 搜狐体育 (in Chinese). 11 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "U20联赛第二阶段A、B组赛程：主客场制，6月13日开战". 网易体育 (in Chinese). 11 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "2026第五届中国青少年足球联赛（男子U20组）第二阶段第1轮转播计划表". 网易体育 (in Chinese). 11 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "2026赛季推出的主客场制U20联赛会给年轻球员带来哪些机遇？". 新浪体育 (in Chinese). 8 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "中足联通知2026年联赛升降级政策：设置甲乙附加赛". 腾讯新闻 (in Chinese). 4 February 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "北青：U21联赛有望推出升降级制度，也将控制梯队踢中乙的比例". 凤凰网 (in Chinese). 8 December 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "【政策】2026赛季联赛体系规则发布". 什么值得买 (in Chinese). 6 February 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "2026中国青少年足球联赛U20组第二阶段明日开赛！". 腾讯新闻 (in Chinese). 12 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "中国足球少年遇上英超小将". 人民网 (in Chinese). 15 April 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "持续提质青训，U20联赛即将开启". 腾讯新闻 (in Chinese). 13 April 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "持续提质青训，U20联赛即将开启". 腾讯新闻 (in Chinese). 13 April 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ 国内足球综合 (2025-04-08). "U21联赛11日打响！开启主客场 各机制执行更严格". sports.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ↑ 腾讯网 (2025-03-20). "中足联发布U21联赛报名通知，中超俱乐部必须报名参加_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ↑ "足协公布梯队联赛竞赛办法：中超俱乐部必须参加U21". www.peopleapp.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ↑ "中超B队打中乙，青训新希望？ - 电子报详情页". paper.xinmin.cn. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ↑ 国内足球综合 (2024-07-08). "U21联赛进行多项改革 中乙资格继续激励诸强". 手机新浪网 (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ↑ "U-21联赛收官，北京国安夺冠-中国足球协会官方网站". www.thecfa.cn. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ↑ "U21联赛综述：上海海港获得亚军，与冠军山东泰山携手冲乙|北京国安|天津津门虎|上海申花|山东泰山|长春亚泰|河南|浙江|上海海港|大连人|沧州雄狮|成都蓉城|刘国宝(U21)|张嘉伟(U21)|卢致远(U21)|樊超(U21)|阿布力克木-阿布都沙拉木(U21)|山东泰山B队|成都蓉城U21|上海申花U21|沧州雄狮U21|北京国安U21|上海海港B队|长春亚泰U21|李锦荣(U21)|大连人U21|河南U21|浙江U21|天津津门虎U21|汤郡豪(U21)|朱富豪(U21)|江尔晗(U21)|懂球帝". m.dongqiudi.com. Retrieved 2025-11-12.[dead link]
- ↑ 腾讯网 (2023-11-08). "海港U21获联赛亚军。明年中乙见！_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ↑ "收藏｜大连英博B队2026中乙预赛阶段赛程". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ↑ "【赛事速递】升乙附加赛大连英博U21战胜大连涵瑀 获2026赛季中乙准入资格（成为第5支参加中乙联赛的中超B队）". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- 1 2 腾讯网 (2025-11-11). "博主：王钰栋月底大概率去U21联赛支援，目标是冲乙_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ↑ "足球报：U系列联赛明年改制，U21和U19联赛合并踢周末赛制". www.dongqiudi.com. Retrieved 2025-11-12.[dead link]
- ↑ 腾讯网 (2025-11-12). "官方：2025中冠-U21联赛附加赛抽签仪式将于12日14:30进行_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ↑ 腾讯网 (2025-11-12). "身心俱疲无缘熊猫杯，今年已出战44场的王钰栋，为何还要参加U21联赛？_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ↑ "U21联赛为何强弱差距如此之大". m.gmw.cn. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ↑ 腾讯网 (2024-08-26). "北青：U21联赛强弱分化过于明显不利品质提升 给赛事敲响警钟_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2026-01-15.