Commonwealth League
This article is for the top flight of Haesanite association football. For the baseball league subdivision, see Haesanite National League.
| 국가 축구 리그 | |
| Abbreviation | HCL |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1883 |
| Founded at | Suyang, Haesan |
| Type | Association Football League |
| Headquarters | Suyang, Haesan |
| Website | hcl.hn |
The Commonwealth League (Korean: 국가 축구 리그) is the top flight of Haesanite association football, founded in 1883 and held continuously since 1969.
League Structure
The league is composed of 20 teams from across Haesan. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a drawn match, and zero for a loss. Each team in the league plays 38 matches across a season, at home and on the road against every other team in the league. The bottom two teams are relegated to the Hana League, and the 18th place team in the Commonwealth League plays the 3rd place team in the Hana League in a home-and-away promotion series at the conclusion of the season where the winner will play in the Commonwealth League and the loser will play in the Hana League the following season. Unlike other top-flight leagues, the Commonwealth League has a unique tiebreak system, where all teams with the same number of points are first compared on the basis of points earned in head-to-head matches against the other teams they are tied with, then on the basis of goal differential in those ties, and only then by goal difference overall. If teams remain tied, then tie break match(es) may be scheduled, or if the tie is inconsequential (i.e. qualification for Hesperidan competition, the league lead, or relegation is not at play) then the two teams can agree to waive the match and remain tied in the standings, although this has never occurred.
History
Origins
Teams
| Team | City | Team Nickname | Stadium | Capacity | First Season | Current Spell | Last Shield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anmi FC | Anmi, Namhae | Archers | Anmi Muncipal Stadium | 52,810 | 1883–1884 | 1987– | 2006–2007 |
| Byeolbam AC | Junyeol, Haebam | Starry Night | Byeolbam Stadium | 25,755 | 2016–2017 | 2021– | — |
| Cheonpung Sanri AC | Sanri, Maehwa | Miners | Cheonpung Athletics Center | 33,891 | 1997–1998 | 2017– | — |
| Club Cité d'Anfe | Anfa, Anfa | Burgundies | Stade Anfois | 82,730 | 1883–1884 | 1883– | 2022–2023 |
| Coastal FC | Munseong, Namhae | Seagulls | Haeyang Chukgujang | 40,491 | 1901–1902 | 2014– | 1938–1939 |
| Gwanli Yeocheon FC | Yeocheon, Namhae | Glassies | Gwanli Stadium | 32,744 | 1901–1902 | 2023– | 1956–1957 |
| Hansaeng Jeonyu FC | Jeonyu, Imyu | Silver Whales | Hansaeng Arena | 41,925 | 1946–1947 | 2004– | 1993–1994 |
| Hyangsan Athletic FC | Hyangsan, Sugang | Camellias | Camellia Park | 46,192 | 1883–1884 | 1978– | 2017–2018 |
| Hwagang Capitol FC | Hwagang, Hwagang CR | Nationals | Hwagang Capitol Stadium | 58,281 | 1980–1981 | 2015– | 1988–1989 |
| Jeongmi Hanyeong FC | Hanyeong, Sinhan | Cranes | Jeongmi Park | 38,075 | 1924–1925 | 2009– | 1974–1975 |
| Levesque CF | Levesque, Northlands | Guerriers du Lac | Parc du Nord | 47,483 | 1883–1884 | 1961– | 2001–2002 |
| CF Marchal | Anfa, Anfa | Les Riverains | Stade Rivière Marchal | 44,087 | 1924–1925 | 1988– | 2011–2012 |
| Narae Imae AC | Imae, Eungang | Silvers | Eungang Stadium | 36,293 | 1983–1984 | 2018– | — |
| AFC Seorin | Suyang, Suyang | Metropolitans | Suyang Stadium | 92,080 | 1901–1902 | 1997– | 2023–2024 |
| Seowon FC | Seowon, Sugang | Gardeners | Seowon Garden | 26,499 | 1996–1997 | 2001– | — |
| Sinju AC | Sinju, Sinhan | Ghosts | Sinju Park | 68,570 | 1883–1884 | 1943– | 2014–2015 |
| Sinju Gwanak FC | Gwanak, Sinhan | Spirits, Suburbans | Gwanak Arena | 28,861 | 2023–2024 | 2023– | — |
| Southerly FC | Altina, Southern Maritimes | Palms | Caye Stadium | 18,820 | 2020–2021 | 2023– | — |
| Suri Gyeongseong FC | Gyeongseong, Ryujang | Easterlies | Gyeongseong Park | 37,494 | 1924–1925 | 2022– | — |
| Suyang City FC | Suyang, Suyang | Tridents, Blues | Marsh Ground | 66,463 | 1883–1884 | 2005– | 2020–2021 |