Qatar Stars League
The Qatar Stars League (QSL) is the top-tier professional football league in Qatar and one of the wealthiest football competitions in Asia.
Established in 1963, it is operated by the Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the
Qatar Stars League Management (QSLM).
The league has gained global attention due to major investments, world-class facilities, and star foreign players.
History and facts
The league began in 1963, initially with only local clubs, and rapidly expanded as Qatar modernized its sports infrastructure. Since the 2000s, strong financial backing has transformed QSL into a major Asian league.
Clubs like Al-Sadd, Al-Duhail, and Al-Rayyan are leading powerhouses, regularly producing stars for the Qatar national team and signing famous international players.
Qatar’s successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup helped elevate the quality and visibility of QSL.
League system
The Qatar Stars League features 12 clubs.
At the end of the season, the bottom team is relegated to the Qatari Second Division,
while the second-last team plays a playoff match for survival.
Table 1. Qatar football league pyramid
| League | Tier |
|---|---|
| Qatar Stars League | 1 |
| Qatari Second Division | 2 |
| Amateur League | 3 |
| Community Leagues | 4 |
Below the 3rd tier are community and corporate leagues.
Stats
Teams with most Qatar Stars League titles
Table 2. Most Qatar Stars League titles
| Club | Titles |
|---|---|
| Al-Sadd | 16 |
| Al-Rayyan | 8 |
| Al-Duhail | 7 |
| Al-Arabi | 7 |
| Al-Gharafa | 7 |
Al-Sadd is the most successful club in Qatar’s history.
Teams with most top-division participation
Table 3. Most seasons in Qatar's top division
| Club | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Al-Sadd | 50+ |
| Al-Rayyan | 50+ |
| Al-Arabi | 48+ |
| Al-Gharafa | 40+ |
| Qatar SC | 40+ |
Al-Sadd and Al-Rayyan have participated in nearly every season since the league's creation.
Audience
Major stadium capacities
Table 4. Major stadiums in the Qatar Stars League
| Stadium | Home Team | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Jassim bin Hamad Stadium | Al-Sadd | 15,000 |
| Khalifa International Stadium | Multiple Clubs | 45,416 |
| Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium | Al-Duhail | 10,000 |
| Thani bin Jassim Stadium | Al-Gharafa | 25,000 |
| Ahmed bin Ali Stadium | Al-Rayyan | 40,000 |
Players
Famous players in QSL history
- Xavi Hernández
- Santi Cazorla
- James Rodríguez
- Mario Mandžukić
- Yacine Brahimi
- Baghdad Bounedjah
- Rodrigo Tabata
- Hassan Al-Haydos
Qatar Stars League timeline
1963
Qatar’s first national league competition is launched.
2004
The league begins adopting professional club standards.
2008
Rebranded under the management of QSLM.
2015
Large foreign signings increase international exposure.
2022
Qatar hosts FIFA World Cup, boosting league visibility and infrastructure.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_Stars_League
https://www.qsl.qa
https://www.rsssf.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_Stars_League
https://www.qsl.qa
https://www.rsssf.org
