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Founded | 1991 (as first tier) 2001 (as second tier) |
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Country | Iran |
Confederation | AFC |
Number of teams | 18 |
Level on pyramid | 2 |
Promotion to | Persian Gulf Pro League |
Relegation to | League 2 |
Domestic cup(s) | Hazfi Cup |
International cup(s) | AFC Champions league (through the Hazfi Cup) |
Current champions | Kheybar Khorramabad (1st title) (2023–24) |
Most championships | Persepolis (4 titles) |
TV partners | IRIB |
Website | league1football |
Current: 2024–25 Azadegan League |
The Azadegan League (Persian: ليگ آزادگان, Lig-e Âzâdegân), also known as League 1 (Persian: لیگ یک, Lig-e Yek), is the second highest division of professional football in Iran. It was the top-level football league in Iran from its foundation in 1991 until 2001, when the Persian Gulf Pro League was established.
Azadegan League operates on a system of promotion and relegation. Each year, the top finishing teams in the Azadegan League are promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League, and the lowest finishing teams are relegated to League 2.
Since 2016, the league comprises 18 teams. The winner and the runner-up of the Azadegan League are automatically promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League. The bottom three teams in the league are relegated to League 2. In the past, the format and number of teams were changed for various times.