| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Thailand |
| Dates | 6 February 2016 – 15 October 2016 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Buriram United (5th title) Muangthong United (1st title) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Kaio Felipe Gonçalves (7 goals) |
The Thai League Cup is a knock-out football tournament played in Thai sport. Some games are played as a single match, others are played as two-legged contests. The 2016 Thai League Cup kicked off on 6 February 2016. The Thai League Cup has been readmitted back into Thai football after a 10-year absence. The Thai League Cup is sponsored by Toyota, thus naming it Toyota League Cup. The prize money for this prestigious award is said to be around 5 million baht, and the runners-up will be netting 1 million baht.[citation needed]
The prize money is not the only benefit of this cup, the team winning the fair play spot will get a Hilux Vigo. The MVP of the competition will get a Toyota Camry Hybrid Car. The winner of the cup will earn the right to participate in a cup competition in Japan.
This was the first edition of the competition and the qualifying round was played in regions featuring clubs from the Regional League Division 2.
Following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Football Association of Thailand cancelled the remaining league and cup season on 14 October 2016, stating that the League Cup winners would be determined by a lottery draw. This was when only the final was required to be played and would determine who would represent Thailand in the Mekong Club Championship.[1]
The following day, however (15 October), FAT appeared to do a U-turn and announced that further discussions with key stakeholders would determine whether the league campaign would continue. These discussions were required as teams that were in the relegation places at the time of the original announcement were voicing their concerns.[2]
On the 16 October, after a meeting of all top flight league clubs, it was announced that the original decision to cancel the remaining games would stay in place, therefore crowning Muangthong United and Buriram United as joint champions.[3]