Myanmar National League

Myanmar National League (Burmese: မြန်မာနေရှင်နယ်လိဂ်) often referred to as MNL, is the highest level of the Myanmar football league system. Contested by 12 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the MNL-2. Seasons typically run from August to May, with each team playing 22 games.^[1]

In the past, professional football competition in Myanmar has only existed in a limited form. Premier leagues have been made up of Yangon-based clubs, most of which were affiliated with government ministries. It was only after 1996 when the Premier League (Burmese: ပထမတန်း) was relaunched as the Myanmar Premier League that non-government clubs were invited. Still, the league was based only in Yangon.

The Myanmar Football Federation sought approval from the government to launch a nationwide league in February 2008, and finally received permission to set up private clubs in December of the same year. Each club was permitted to sign at most five foreign players and one foreign coach. The government granted tax exemptions for an initial three-year period, while each club owner must provide a minimum initial investment of Ks 200 million.^[2] The investment covered costs such as salaries, transportation, and equipment, but does not include the club stadiums, which are all nationalized.^[3]

In 2009, the league replaced the Myanmar Premier League with eight professional clubs representing different regions across the nation.^[2] On 16 May 2009, the league launched its inaugural two-month tournament, the Myanmar National League Cup 2009, in preparation for the first full season.^[4] Despite its national ambitions, the league held the MNL Cup 2009 matches in the country's two main stadiums in Yangon due to the lack of adequate facilities elsewhere. On 5 July 2009, Yadanabon FC defeated Yangon United FC in the MNL Cup final to become the first-ever MNL champion.

The league added three clubs for the 2010 season,^[5] and one more club joined for the 2011 season, bringing the total to twelve clubs.^[6] Two more clubs representing Chin and Shan states participated in the MNL season starting in January 2012.^[7][8]

(For Burmese champions before 2009, see Myanmar Premier League)

Undefeated champions:

• Shan United in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024-2025

• Shan United
• Yangon United
• Hantharwady United
• Dagon Star
• Mahar United
• Yadanarbon
• ISPE
• ThitSar Arman FC
• Ayeyawady United
• Dagon Port
• Rakhine United
• Yarmanya United

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

As of 31 May 2024

Figures for active players (in bold).

As of 16 August 2024

Figures for active players (in bold).

• Youngest player: Myat Kaung Khant (Yadanarbon) — 17 years, 6 months (15 January 2018, Yadanarbon 5–2 Ayeyawady United, 2018 Myanmar National League)
• Oldest player: Chit Myo Hteik (Mahar United) — 41 years (14 December 2023, Mahar United 3—1 GFA, 2023 Myanmar National League)
• Youngest scorer: Myat Kaung Khant (Yadanarbon) — 17 years, 6 months (15 January 2018, Yadanarbon 5–2 Ayeyawady United, 2018 Myanmar National League)
• Oldest scorer: Chit Myo Hteik (Sagaing United) — 38 years (17 August 2019, Dagon 5—2 Sagaing United, 2019 Myanmar National League)
• Fastest scorer: Myat Kaung Khant (Shan United) - 32 seconds (3 August 2023, Shan United FC 5-1 Ayeyawady United FC)
• Most consecutive matches scored: Yadanarbon - 21
• Longest clean sheet: 630 minutes — Kyaw Zin Htet
• Most goals in a season: 28 — Cezar Augusto (Yangon United, 2015)
• Most titles won: 8 — David Htan (Yangon United, Shan United
• Most seasons appeared: 15 — David Htan (2009–2023)

• Champion: Ks. 100,000,000
• Runner-up: Ks. 75,000,000
• Third place: Ks. 50,000,000

As of March 2023^[11]

• Official website
• League at fifa.com
• Soccer Myanmar
• RSSSF.com - Myanmar - List of champions