Friday, October 16, 2026

Chinese Super League Requires Women’s Club Teams For Entry

  • CSL clubs are now required to establish a women’s soccer team.
  • A similar rule was implemented in 2019.
The China Women's National Soccer team clap for fans after a match.
FIFA

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Chinese Super League clubs are now required by the Chinese Football Association to establish a women’s soccer team in order to participate in the upcoming season, start date to be determined.

“This women’s team should take part in the Chinese Women’s Super League or the second- and third-tier league,” Xinhua News Agency reported.

A similar requirement was implemented during the 2019 season, when the CSL had 16 teams. It now has 18, though four folded over the last four seasons.

In October, the General Administration of Sport — China’s national sports agency — announced ambitions to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2031.

China is the current AFC Women’s Asian Cup Champion, a title the country has won nine times since 1986. Its women’s team is ranked 14th in the world and will participate in the Women’s World Cup later this year.

Earlier this week, the CSL renewed its title sponsorship agreement with insurance company Ping An in a reported one-season, $14.7 million deal. Ping An has been the title sponsor of the league since 2014.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 6, 2023; Melbourne, AUS; United States forward Sophia Smith (11) battles for the ball against Sweden midfielder Elin Rubensson (23) in extra time of a Round of 16 match during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Trump Official Says U.S. Will Host 2031 Women’s World Cup

Government support could hinge on FIFA’s transgender athlete rules.
Oct 29, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; USA Head Coach Emma Hayes speaks with midfielder Lo’eau Labonta (11) during the second half of the match against New Zealand at CPKC Stadium.

FIFA Rules All Women’s Teams Must Have Female Coaches

One head or assistant coach must be a woman for FIFA competitions.
Oct 5, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; US Women's National Soccer Team Coach Jill Ellis speaks to the media during a press conference ahead of her final match as head coach of the US Women's National Soccer Team Coach at Soldier Field.

FIFA’s Ellis On Qatar As Potential Host City: U.S. Is Anti-Gay, Too

Qatar is reportedly interested in bidding for the January 2028 tournament.
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and Portland Trail Blazers logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Reopens Doors in China—and Eyes the WNBA Next

The Mavericks and Rockets are set to play games in Macao next year.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/15/26 – Blake Griffin on Clippers Fine, Buck-Aikman Booth Tension, Elle Duncan’s ‘Toxic’ WNBA Warning

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.

Small-Market Brewers Clinch First NL Pennant

Milwaukee is advancing to its first World Series since 1982.
October 15, 2026

Charley Hull: LPGA Needs to ‘Show More Personalities’

The Englishwoman has one of the sport’s largest social media followings.
October 15, 2026

WNBA Finals Ticket Prices Soar Above Last Year’s Levels

The get-in price for Game 1 in San Francisco is over $200.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
October 15, 2026

Jon Rahm’s LIV Settlement Forfeits All Remaining Payments

Rahm earned more than $106 million in prize and bonus money with LIV.
October 14, 2026

NBA Instagram Apparently Hacked, Briefly Promotes Memecoin

The post, part of an apparent hack, was taken down.
October 14, 2026

LIV Raises ‘Anti-Competitive Concerns’ Over DP World Tour Ban

LIV has not yet released a 2027 schedule.
October 14, 2026

Six Kings Slam Postponed to December Following Saudi Airport Attack

The tennis tournament was originally scheduled to start on Oct. 21.