The Bangladesh Football League (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ ফুটবল লিগ), simply known as the BFL, is the top tier of the Bangladeshi football league system. It is run by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). The Dhaka derby between Dhaka Abahani and Mohammedan is one of the league's most popular matches.

The BFL superseded the Dhaka Premier Division League which had functioned as the top tier from 1948 to 2006. The league name was changed from Bangladesh Premier League to Bangladesh Football League in 2025 because the spelling clashed with the similarly-named cricket league.

History

Origins

Before the establishment of the professional football league, the semi-professional Dhaka Premier Division League functioned as Bangladesh’s top-tier competition from 1993 onward. Prior to that, the Dhaka First Division League (relegated to second-tier status in 1993) was the country's highest level of football from 1948, following the partition of India and even before the Bangladesh's independence. Historically, the Dhaka Football League consisted of three-tiers, with the Pioneer Football League introduced in 1981 as a fourth tier. A separate Fourth Division also briefly existed within the Dhaka League system between 1966 and 1969.

From 2000 to 2006, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) operated the National Football League, the first nationwide open competition. However, despite its national scope, it was considered less prestigious than the regional Dhaka Premier Division League, which remained officially recognized as the top tier until 2007.

Professional league

Founded in 2007 as Bangladesh's first professional national football league, the Bangladesh Football League (BFL) was initially launched as the B.League. It was renamed the Bangladesh League in 2009, and rebranded as the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2012. In 2025, the competition adopted its current name.

The first league match took place on 2 March 2007 between Dhaka Abahani and Muktijoddha Sangsad KC at the National Stadium in Dhaka, ending in a goalless draw. The next day in Khulna, Prashanta Dey scored the first goal in the history of professional football in the country as Khulna Abahani blanked the capital side Rahmatganj MFS 2–0. On 27 March 2007, Alfaz Ahmed netted the first hat-trick in B League history to give Muktijoddha a 4–1 win over Rahmatganj.

Dhaka Abahani have won the league a record six times since 2007. In the 2015–16 season, Dhaka Abahani also became the first team to win the professional league title with an unbeaten record. In the 2023–24 season, Bashundhara Kings became the first team to win five consecutive league titles.

The league was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a limited program of matches was in place through 2021. On 12 February 2022, it was announced that the league would return to its normal home-and-away format.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is the top professional football league in Bangladesh, showcasing the country's best football talent. Established in 2007, the league features a competitive format with multiple clubs vying for the championship title each season. Known for its passionate fan base and vibrant atmosphere, the BPL highlights the growing popularity of football in Bangladesh. The tournament serves as a platform for local players to demonstrate their skills and for international players to contribute to the development of Bangladeshi football. With intense matches, thrilling rivalries, and a commitment to elevating the sport, the Bangladesh Premier League remains a premier showcase of football excellence in the nation.