Posted by Siseko Tapile
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The Chinese Super League may be just over two decades old, but its trophy cabinet already tells a story of shifting power, big‑money signings and surprising upsets. Since the league’s modern era began in 2004, forty clubs have taken part, yet only nine have ever walked away as champions. That blend of variety and occasional dominance makes the CSL a fascinating case study for anyone who follows Asian football.
At the top of the hierarchy sits Guangzhou Evergrande, a club that has rebranded several times but never lost its winning edge. With eight league crowns, the Guangzhou side defined the 2010s, snatching three straight titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and adding two league‑and‑cup doubles in 2012 and 2016. Their success was driven by heavy investment, foreign star power and a coaching staff that mastered the mix of tactics and physicality.
Trailing Guangzhou is Shandong Taishan, formerly known as Shandong Luneng. The Jinan‑based club has collected four championships, the latest in 2021, and boasts three league‑and‑cup doubles – more than any other team. Those doubles came in 1999, 2006 and 2021, confirming Shandong’s knack for performing when it matters most across both the league and the Chinese FA Cup.
Shanghai Port, previously Shanghai SIPG, represents the emerging elite. After a decade of steady improvement, the club clinched back‑to‑back titles in 2023 and 2024 and captured its first double in 2024. Their rise reflects a new generation of Chinese clubs that blend hometown talent with selective foreign imports.
Other notable name‑checkers include Dalian Shide (three titles and doubles in 2001 and 2005), Beijing Guoan (two crowns), and one‑off winners Changchun Yatai and Shenzhen Jianlibao. Each of these clubs left a mark, proving that the CSL has never been a monopoly of a single city or owner.
The past five seasons illustrate a league in transition. Wuhan Three Towns shocked everyone by winning their maiden title in 2022, showing that well‑run lower‑profile clubs can challenge the traditional big guns. Shanghai Port’s consecutive victories in 2023 and 2024 cemented their status as a new powerhouse, while Shandong Taishan’s 2021 triumph reminded fans that the old guard can still bite.
Guangzhou’s dominance appears to be winding down; their last league win came in the mid‑2010s. In recent years, the club has faced financial constraints and a reshuffling of its squad, making it less of a guaranteed winner. This opening has encouraged other clubs to invest smarter, hire innovative coaches and focus on youth academies, all of which has tightened the race for the top spot.
Overall, the CSL now boasts a more competitive balance than any period in its history. With nine different champions and nine league‑and‑cup doubles, the data suggest that success is spreading, not concentrating. Fans can expect surprise title runs, more dramatic finish‑line battles and a league that continues to elevate its profile on the Asian stage.
Beyond the statistics, the CSL’s story mirrors China’s broader sporting ambitions: a push for higher standards, international recognition and a sustainable football ecosystem. As clubs like Shanghai Port and Wuhan Three Towns prove that success can be built in different ways, the league’s future looks both unpredictable and exciting.