United Football League (Philippines)

United Football League
Organising bodyFootball Alliance
United Football Clubs Association
Founded2009
Folded2016
CountryPhilippines
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams12
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toUFL Division 2
Domestic cup(s)UFL Cup
League cup(s)UFL FA League Cup
UFL FA Charity Cup
International cup(s)AFC Cup
Last championsGlobal (3rd title)
(2016)
Most championshipsGlobal
(3 titles)
Preview warning: Page using Template:Infobox football league with unknown parameter "motto"

The United Football League, commonly known as the UFL, was an association football league, replaced by the Philippines Football League, based in the National Capital Region of the Philippines, governed by the Football Alliance (FA) in partnership with United Football Clubs Association (UFCA).[1][2] The UFL was the Philippines' primary football league. In its last season in 2016, it was contested by 12 clubs and operated without a system of promotion and relegation with UFL Division 2, which was discontinued. Games were often scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.[3] To avoid the country's rainy season, the league usually kicked off sometime between the months of January and February each year.[4]

The league started as a semi-professional tournament in 2009.[5] For its inaugural season, the first UFL Cup, sanctioned by both the Philippine Football Federation and National Capital Region Football Association, was held in 2009 to determine the clubs that would participate in the league. Since then, it has been described as a thriving football league, organized by former football players and aficionados.[6] A total of 20 clubs have competed in the UFL since its founding. It was organized by the Football Alliance, whose long-term goal is the continued development of football in the Philippines through a premier league.[7]

Four clubs have been crowned league champions: Global (3), Philippine Air Force (2), Stallion (1), and Ceres (1). The last champions were Global, which won their third title in the 2016 season.

  1. ^ "UFL Season 2013 kick off on February 8, 2013". UFLphilippines.com.ph. UFL Philippines. Archived from the original on 24 September 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  2. ^ Jamlang, Josue (22 January 2010). "Are you ready for UFL 2010?". PhilStar.com. The Philippine Star. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  3. ^ Joey Villar (30 May 2014). "UFL matches on Sports 5". Philstar Online. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  4. ^ Jack Biantan (18 February 2011). "Biantan: Time for SMC to help footie". Sun Star. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  5. ^ Henson, Joaquin (12 February 2011). "Another windfall in store for Phl XI". PhilStar.com. The Philippine Star. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  6. ^ Jack Biantan (2 January 2011). "Welcome 2011". Sun Star. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  7. ^ Biantan, Jack (14 February 2011). "Biantan: Do not rush". Sun Star. Sun Star Cebu. Retrieved 21 February 2011.