2025–26 Thai League 3
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 13 September 2025 – TBD |
← 2024–25 2026–27 → | |
The 2025–26 Thai League 3 (known as the BYD Dolphin League III for sponsorship reasons) will be the ninth season of the Thai League 3, the third tier of professional football in Thailand.[1] A total of 68 clubs will participate, divided into six regional groups: Northern (12 clubs), Central (11 clubs), Northeastern (12 clubs), Eastern (12 clubs), Western (11 clubs), and Southern (10 clubs).
The season is scheduled to begin on 13 September 2025 with the opening matches of the Regional Stage. In this stage, clubs compete within their respective regions, with the champions and runners-up from each group advancing to the National Championship Stage. The final phase will feature 12 clubs and conclude with the national final in 2026 (date to be confirmed). The winners, the runners-up, and the winner of the third-place play-off will be promoted to the Thai League 2 for the 2026–27 season.
For sponsorship purposes, the three professional tiers in Thailand have been rebranded for the 2025–26 season as BYD SEALION 6 League I (Thai League 1), BYD SEAL 5 League II (Thai League 2), and BYD DOLPHIN League III (Thai League 3).
Seasonal Changes
The 2025–26 Thai League 3 season features a number of changes compared to the previous campaign. These include the promotion and relegation of clubs between divisions, several club renamings and rebrandings, and the introduction of a new title sponsor, BYD Auto, which rebranded the competition as the BYD Dolphin League III for sponsorship reasons.
Relegation from Thai League 2
Originally, three clubs were scheduled to be relegated from the 2024–25 Thai League 2 to the Thai League 3.
However, during the 2024–25 season, Samut Prakan City were expelled due to finanical problems and folded, with their record being expunged. At the end of the season, Lampang, who had finished fifth, also folded.
Accordingly, Pattaya United, who had originally finished in 16th out of the 17 remaining clubs, was reprieved from relegation.
Suphanburi, who finished last in the Thai League 2, were the only club relegated. They have been placed in the Western region of Thai League 3, in line with the location of their home ground in Western Thailand.
Promotions from Thailand Semi-pro League
Normally, the champions of each of the six regional groups of the 2025 Thailand Semi-pro League would be promoted to the Thai League 3.[2] However, in the Western region, the champions, The Wall, failed club licensing and were denied promotion. As a result, only five regional champions earned direct promotion, with several additional clubs promoted under special quotas due to licensing issues and adjustments to balance the number of teams in each group.
- Northern Region
- Phichit United – promoted as regional champions.
- Chiangrai TSC – promoted as runners-up under a special quota, increasing the Northern group from 11 to 12 clubs.
- Central Region
- Singburi Warriors – promoted as regional champions.
- Futera United – admitted as third-placed team, after both AUU Inter Bangkok and Dome (Thai League 3 survivors) failed licensing, and runners-up Ayutthaya PK also failed licensing.[3]
- Northeastern Region
- Udon Banjan United – promoted as regional champions.[4]
- EUMT – promoted as runners-up under a special quota, as the group expanded from 11 to 12 teams. In addition, relegated side Khon Kaen Mordindang were reprieved due to Rasisalai United's promotion to Thai League 2.
- Eastern Region
- Banbueng City – promoted as regional champions, later renamed Burapha United.
- Southern Region
- Samui United – promoted as regional champions.[5]
- Chumphon United – promoted as runners-up under a special quota, after Songkhla and Pattani were promoted to Thai League 2, and Phatthalung failed licensing, leaving three vacancies in the group.
Promotion to Thai League 2
The top three clubs from the 2024–25 Thai League 3 season have been promoted to Thai League 2: Rasisalai United (National champion), Songkhla (National runners-up), and Pattani (National third-place).
Clubs relegated due to club licensing failures
In addition to the regular relegations, four clubs were demoted from Thai League 3 after failing to obtain a club licensing certificate for the 2025–26 season.
- AUU Inter Bangkok (Central region) – failed licensing and were removed from the league.
- Dome (Central region) – withdrew from the league; as a consequence, Saraburi United, who finished bottom of the Central region table, retained their place in Thai League 3.
- Maraleina (Western region) – Withdrew from the league as the owner are part of Samui United.
- Phatthalung (Southern region) – failed licensing and were relegated.
As a result, these vacancies contributed to adjustments in the promotion and relegation process, ensuring each region maintained a balanced number of clubs for the 2025–26 season.
Clubs relegated due to finishing last in their regions
Alongside the licensing-related relegations, four clubs were demoted from Thai League 3 after finishing at the bottom of their respective regional leagues in the 2024–25 season.
- Phitsanulok Unity (Northern region) – relegated after finishing last in the Northern table.
- Samut Prakan (Eastern region) – relegated as the bottom-placed club in the Eastern region.
- Kanchanaburi City (Western region) – finished last in the Western region and were relegated.
- Yala City (Southern region) – relegated after finishing bottom in the Southern standings.
In the Central region, the lowest-placed side, Saraburi United, was spared relegation because AUU Inter Bangkok and Dome had already been demoted due to licensing failures. Meanwhile, in the Northeastern region, no club was relegated at all, as the bottom-placed side was allowed to remain for balance after Rasisalai United's promotion to Thai League 2.
Sponsorship and Broadcasting
In the 2025–26 season, Thai League 3 will operate under a title sponsorship arrangement for the first time: BYD Auto (through BYD Rêver Thailand) has become the main sponsor for all three professional tiers in Thailand, including Thai League 3, rebranding it as the BYD Dolphin League III.[6]
On the broadcasting side, a landmark media rights deal was struck, giving AIS Play (in partnership with Gulf and JAS)[7] exclusive rights to stream all matches from Thai Leagues 1, 2, and 3, plus domestic cups and youth competitions for the 2025–26 through 2028–29 seasons.[8] Under this agreement, Thai League 3 matches can be watched live for free via AIS Play, and fans will no longer rely solely on individual clubs' streaming efforts (e.g., via YouTube or Facebook), as they did in previous seasons.
Club name and logo changes
Several clubs have rebranded or changed their logos for the 2025–26 season:
- Chiangmai (Northern region), introduced a new logo for the 2025–26 season. The previous crest, which featured a half-body tiger with the Three Kings above, was replaced by a modern design showing the metallic head of a roaring steel tiger next to a football, with the traditional Three Kings motif removed.[9]
- Phichit United (Northern region), newly promoted from the Thailand Semi-pro League, introduced a minor update to their existing crocodile-themed emblem. The crest continues to depict a muscular crocodile from the chest upward, in a half-portrait style. For the 2025–26 season, the design was modified by adding the Thai letter "ธ" on the crocodile's chest and updating the founding year displayed at the bottom from "2021" to "2025".
- Uttaradit (Northern region), previously known as TPF Uttaradit, officially changed their club name to "Uttaradit". The club retained its existing crest design, but the lettering within the emblem was updated: the abbreviation "TPF" was replaced with "UTTFC". All other visual elements of the logo remain unchanged.
- Royal Thai Air Force (Central region), introduced a completely new crest. The previous emblem, which closely resembled the insignia of the Royal Thai Air Force with golden wings, a star, a tricolour shield, and a radiant crown, was replaced by a minimalist and modern design featuring geometric shapes representing wings and a star, with the club's name in Thai "ทหารอากาศ เอฟซี" displayed below.
- Singburi Warriors (Central region), a newly promoted club, unveiled a redesigned crest upon their promotion from the Thailand Semi-pro League. The previous emblem featured two red Singha lions facing each other with a football at the center, while the new design simplifies the imagery to a single silver Singha lion alongside a football, set against a two-tone maroon and gold shield with the club's name in a stylized font.
- Korat City (Northeastern region), formerly known as Suranaree Black Cat, underwent a rebranding before the 2025–26 Thai League 3 season. The change included both a new club name and a redesigned crest. The previous emblem, which featured a stylized black cat head in a minimalist design, was replaced with a modern shield-shaped logo that displays a grey cat head with a fierce expression under the banner Wonder Cat Korat City.
- Udon United (Northeastern region), introduced a new crest ahead of the 2025–26 season. The previous logo featured a wolf head design with white markings on the mouth and eyebrows on a bright yellow background. It was replaced with a simplified version that retains the wolf head motif but with darker tones and a deeper yellow background, while maintaining the inscription "Since 2018" at the bottom of the shield.
- Burapha United (Eastern region), formerly known as Banbueng City, changed their name and logo following promotion from the Thailand Semi-pro League to the 2025–26 Thai League 3 Eastern region. The club replaced its previous emblem, which featured a blue buffalo head, with a newly designed crest depicting a cheetah head accompanied by laurel leaves, a football, and the inscription Since 2025.[10]
- Customs United (Eastern region), formerly Toko Customs United, simplified their club identity by dropping the prefix "Toko" from both their name and emblem. The crest now displays only the wording "Customs United", while all other design elements remain the same.
- Samut Sakhon City (Western region), updated their crest ahead of the 2025–26 season. The previous circular logo, which featured a photographic tiger head within a blue border, was replaced with a shield-shaped design that retains the tiger motif but incorporates additional maritime elements, including an anchor and a ship's wheel, along with the inscription Since 2022.[11]
- Samut Songkhram City (Western region), updated their crest ahead of the 2025–26 season. The previous version featured a red shield with a stylized stingray motif and the inscriptions "SSC 2021". The revised crest retained the red shield and stingray motif but adopted a more dimensional appearance and replaced the inscriptions with "Samut Songkhram City".
- Chumphon United (Southern region), a newly promoted club from the Thailand Semi-pro League, has updated its logo by adopting a more dimensional appearance.
Regional stage
The Regional Stage of the 2025–26 Thai League 3 includes 68 clubs divided into six regions: Northern (12 clubs), Central (11 clubs), Northeastern (12 clubs), Eastern (12 clubs), Western (11 clubs), and Southern (10 clubs). Each region operates in a round-robin format where clubs play each other in both home and away matches. The top two clubs from each region, the champion and the runner-up, qualify for the National Championship Stage. This stage serves to determine the regional winners and which clubs advance to the national competition.
Northern region
- League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiangmai | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 11 | +10 | 25 | Qualification to the National Championship stage |
| 2 | Uttaradit | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 7 | +13 | 21 | |
| 3 | Chiangrai TSC | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 12 | +3 | 16 | |
| 4 | Phitsanulok | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 16 | |
| 5 | Maejo United | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 15 | |
| 6 | Khelang United | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 17 | +2 | 15 | |
| 7 | Northern Nakhon Mae Sot United | 11 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 10 | +1 | 15 | |
| 8 | Chiangrai City | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 16 | −1 | 14 | |
| 9 | Phichit United | 11 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 18 | 16 | +2 | 12 | |
| 10 | Kamphaengphet | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 17 | −9 | 11 | |
| 11 | Nakhon Sawan See Khwae City | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 28 | −14 | 9 | |
| 12 | Chattrakan City | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16 | −10 | 6 | Relegation to the Thailand Semi-pro League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Central region
- League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PTU Pathum Thani | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 14 | +7 | 23 | Qualification to the National Championship stage |
| 2 | Prime Bangkok | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 8 | +8 | 22 | |
| 3 | North Bangkok University | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 7 | +11 | 20 | |
| 4 | Royal Thai Air Force | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 11 | +3 | 17 | |
| 5 | Angthong | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 13 | +5 | 16 | |
| 6 | Chamchuri United | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 15 | |
| 7 | Kasem Bundit University | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 12 | |
| 8 | Lopburi City | 10 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 19 | −1 | 8 | |
| 9 | Futera United | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 23 | −7 | 6 | |
| 10 | Saraburi United | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 23 | −13 | 5 | |
| 11 | Singburi Warriors | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 21 | −15 | 3 | Relegation to the Thailand Semi-pro League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Northeastern region
- League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Udon United | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 11 | +13 | 26 | Qualification to the National Championship stage |
| 2 | Khon Kaen | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 6 | +10 | 21 | |
| 3 | Muang Loei United | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 24 | 9 | +15 | 20 | |
| 4 | Udon Banjan United | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 12 | −1 | 19 | |
| 5 | EUMT | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 17 | |
| 6 | Yasothon | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 16 | |
| 7 | Surin City | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 14 | −1 | 16 | |
| 8 | Ubon Kruanapat | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 14 | −3 | 16 | |
| 9 | Roi Et PB United | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 11 | +6 | 14 | |
| 10 | Surin Khong Chee Mool | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 25 | −16 | 5 | |
| 11 | Korat City | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 34 | −21 | 5 | |
| 12 | Khon Kaen Mordindang | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 23 | −13 | 4 | Relegation to the Thailand Semi-pro League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Eastern region
- League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burapha United | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 25 | 9 | +16 | 21 | Qualification to the National Championship stage |
| 2 | Navy | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 8 | +9 | 21 | |
| 3 | Customs United | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 12 | +4 | 21 | |
| 4 | Fleet | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 20 | |
| 5 | Bankhai United | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 13 | +2 | 18 | |
| 6 | BFB Pattaya City | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 17 | +1 | 18 | |
| 7 | Saimit Kabin United | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 14 | |
| 8 | Pluakdaeng United | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 13 | −2 | 14 | |
| 9 | Padriew City | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | −3 | 12 | |
| 10 | ACDC | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 17 | −9 | 8 | |
| 11 | Chachoengsao Hi-Tek | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 12 | −5 | 7 | |
| 12 | Marines | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 20 | −15 | 5 | Relegation to the Thailand Semi-pro League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Western region
- League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samut Sakhon City | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 9 | +13 | 25 | Qualification to the National Championship stage |
| 2 | Samut Songkhram City | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 12 | +5 | 23 | |
| 3 | Thonburi United | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 9 | +12 | 20 | |
| 4 | Assumption United | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 19 | |
| 5 | VRN Muangnont | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 13 | |
| 6 | Thap Luang United | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 13 | |
| 7 | Suphanburi | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 12 | −2 | 13 | |
| 8 | Hua Hin City | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 18 | −9 | 10 | |
| 9 | Rajpracha | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 18 | −7 | 8 | |
| 10 | Royal Thai Army | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 13 | −8 | 7 | |
| 11 | Nonthaburi United | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 17 | −10 | 3 | Relegation to the Thailand Semi-pro League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Southern region
- League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nara United | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 3 | +16 | 21 | Qualification to the National Championship stage |
| 2 | Yala | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 18 | |
| 3 | Satun | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 16 | |
| 4 | Samui United | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 16 | |
| 5 | Phuket Andaman | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 11 | +4 | 14 | |
| 6 | Muang Trang United | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 14 | |
| 7 | PSU Surat Thani City | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 11 | +1 | 13 | |
| 8 | Chumphon United | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 13 | −8 | 6 | |
| 9 | Ranong United | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 17 | −13 | 4 | |
| 10 | Krabi | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 23 | −22 | 0 | Relegation to the Thailand Semi-pro League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
See also
- 2025–26 Thai League 1
- 2025–26 Thai League 2
- 2025–26 Thai League 3 Northern Region
- 2025–26 Thai League 3 Central Region
- 2025–26 Thai League 3 Northeastern Region
- 2025–26 Thai League 3 Eastern Region
- 2025–26 Thai League 3 Western Region
- 2025–26 Thai League 3 Southern Region
- 2025–26 Thai League 3 National Championship
- 2025–26 Thai League 3 Cup
- 2025–26 Thai FA Cup
- 2025–26 Thai League Cup
- 2025 Thai League Charity Match
- 2025 Thai U21 League
References
- ^ "BYD ไทยลีก เปิดศักราชความเดือด ซีซั่น 2025/26 มาดามแป้งการันตีเงินสนับสนุนเพิ่ม (in Thai)". mgronline.com. 6 August 2025.
- ^ "สรุปรายชื่อ 6 ทีมจากไทยแลนด์เซมิโปรลีก เลื่อนชั้นสู่ไทยลีก 3 ซีซั่น 2025/26 (in Thai)". ballthai.com. 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Futera United Earn Promotion to Thai League 3". futeraunited.com. 8 August 2025.
- ^ "อุดร บ้านจั่น ยูไนเต็ด แชมป์เซมิโปรลีก โซนอีสาน 2024-25 (in Thai)". supersubthailand.com. 3 May 2025.
- ^ "สมุย ยูไนเต็ด ตั้ง มิก้า ชูนวลศรี นั่งรองประธานสโมสร (in Thai)". ballthai.com. 7 July 2025.
- ^ "BYD หนุนบอลไทยเต็มสูบ! เปิดตัวสปอนเซอร์ทีมชาติ-ไทยลีก ครบ 3 ลีก (in Thai)". siamsport.co.th. 18 July 2025.
- ^ "GULF, AIS, and JAS Secure Exclusive Thai League Broadcast Rights to Elevate Thai Football Globally". gulf.co.th. 10 June 2025.
- ^ "Historic deal to broadcast all Thai football matches live". bangkokpost.com. 11 June 2025.
- ^ "เชียงใหม่ เอฟซี ประกาศเปิดตัวโลโก้ใหม่ทางการ เริ่มใช้ฤดูกาล 2025/26 (in Thai)". siamsport.co.th. 14 July 2025.
- ^ "บูรพา ยูไนเต็ด วางเป้ามุ่งหน้าสู่ T2 ในปีเดียว (in Thai)". mono29.com. 3 August 2025.
- ^ "พรีวิว สมุทรสาคร ซิตี้ 2025/26 คลื่นแห่งการเปลี่ยนแปลงครั้งสำคัญ เพื่อเป้าหมายเลื่อนชั้น (in Thai)". sakhononline.com. 15 September 2025.