Israeli football league system
Encyclopedia
The Israeli football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Israel
. The system has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between leagues at different levels, and allows even the smallest club to dream of rising to the very top of the system. There are five levels, containing a total of 14 divisions. It is run by the Israel Football Association (IFA)
.
is the second tier, These two divisions all operate at the national level.
Below Liga Leumit the divisions are split into regionalised leagues. Liga Alef
is the third tier, and is split into north and south divisions. Liga Bet
, the fourth tier, is divided into four regionalised leagues. Liga Gimel
, the bottom division of Israeli football, is split into six regionalised leagues, three in the north and three in the south.
decided to reform the league structure. At the start of the 2009–10 season, the Premier League and Liga Leumit
were expanded to 16 clubs and Liga Artzit
was abolished.
In the Premier League, playoff games were added. The teams will now play each other once, with the points gained in the regular league being cut in half.
.
The league was created in 1999 as the IFA
aimed to realign the leagues to improve competition. The league have sixteen clubs, at the end of each season the two or three relegated teams will be replaced by two or three Liga Leumit
teams.
is the second tier of Israeli football, a position it has held since 1999, having originally been the top division prior to the Premier League's creation. It has 16 member clubs, the top two or three teams are promoted to the Premier League, The bottom two or three teams are relegated to Liga Alef at the end of each season.
is the third tier of Israeli football, a position it has held since 2009. Between 1999 and 2009 it was the fourth tier after Liga Artzit, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the third tier after Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the second division. Liga Alef consists of two divisions and has 32 member clubs. The divisions are based on the clubs' geographical position in the country and are split into a north and south category. The top club from each division is promoted at the end of the season to Liga Leumit, the bottom two clubs (from each division) are relegated at the end of the season to Liga Bet.
is the fourth tier of Israeli football, a position it has held since 2009. Between 1999 and 2009 it was the fifth tier after Liga Alef, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the fourth tier after the creation of Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the third division. Liga Bet consists of four divisions and has 64 member clubs. The divisions are based on the clubs geographical position in the country and are split into two north categories and two south categories. The top club from each division is promoted at the end of the season to the Liga Alef and the bottom two clubs (from each division) are relegated at the end of the season to Liga Gimel (if there are enough clubs coming up to replace them).
is the fifth and bottom tier of Israeli football, a position it has held since 2009. Between 1999 and 2009 it was the sixth tier after Liga Bet, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the fifth tier after the creation of Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the fourth division. Liga Gimel consists of six divisions of varying size, three in the north and three in the south. At the start of the 2010–11 season there are a total of 89 member clubs. If they meet criteria laid down by the IFA, the top club from each division is promoted at the end of the season to the Liga Bet. As it is the lowest division, no clubs are relegated.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. The system has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between leagues at different levels, and allows even the smallest club to dream of rising to the very top of the system. There are five levels, containing a total of 14 divisions. It is run by the Israel Football Association (IFA)
Israel Football Association
The Israel Football Association , also known as IFA, is the governing body of football in Israel. It organizes the football leagues, Israeli Premier League, Israeli State Cup, Toto Cup and the Israeli national football team. The association is based in Ramat Gan...
.
Structure
The top division of Israeli football is the Premier League. Liga LeumitLiga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
is the second tier, These two divisions all operate at the national level.
Below Liga Leumit the divisions are split into regionalised leagues. Liga Alef
Liga Alef
-History:League football began in Israel in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga Alef...
is the third tier, and is split into north and south divisions. Liga Bet
Liga Bet
-History:League football started in Israel in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga...
, the fourth tier, is divided into four regionalised leagues. Liga Gimel
Liga Gimel
Liga Gimel is the fifth and bottom tier of Israeli football league system, a position it has held since 2009.-History:Between 1999 and 2009 it was the sixth tier after Liga Bet, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the fifth tier after the creation of Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the...
, the bottom division of Israeli football, is split into six regionalised leagues, three in the north and three in the south.
League restructuring
On June 23, 2008 the IFAIsrael Football Association
The Israel Football Association , also known as IFA, is the governing body of football in Israel. It organizes the football leagues, Israeli Premier League, Israeli State Cup, Toto Cup and the Israeli national football team. The association is based in Ramat Gan...
decided to reform the league structure. At the start of the 2009–10 season, the Premier League and Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
were expanded to 16 clubs and Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit was the third tier of Israeli football after the Premier League and Liga Leumit, and was run by the Israel Football Association.-Structure:...
was abolished.
In the Premier League, playoff games were added. The teams will now play each other once, with the points gained in the regular league being cut in half.
- The top six teams will go into the championship and UEFA Europa League playoffs. The top team will win the championship and a place in the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifiers, and the second and third place will win a place in UEFA Europa League qualifiers. - The four teams ranked between seventh and tenth will play ranking playoffs. The team ranked highest will receive the highest ranking grant. The second ranked team will receive the second highest grant etc.
- The last six teams will fight against relegation to Liga LeumitLiga LeumitLiga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
.
| Level | League/Division(s) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Israeli Premier League 16 clubs |
||||||||||||
| 2 | Liga Leumit Liga Leumit Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place... 16 clubs |
||||||||||||
| 3 | Liga Alef North 16 clubs |
Liga Alef South 16 clubs |
|||||||||||
| 4 | Liga Bet North A 16 clubs |
Liga Bet North B 16 clubs |
Liga Bet South A 16 clubs |
Liga Bet South B 16 clubs |
|||||||||
| 5 | Liga Gimel North Upper Galilee 12 clubs |
Liga Gimel North Jezreel 16 clubs |
Liga Gimel North Shomron 16 clubs |
Liga Gimel South Sharon 13 clubs |
Liga Gimel South Tel Aviv 16 clubs |
Liga Gimel South Central 16 clubs |
|||||||
Premier League
The Israeli Premier League , is the highest league in Israeli football and has 16 member clubs. Winning the Premier League is the top prize in Israeli football and guarantees a berth in the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
The league was created in 1999 as the IFA
Israel Football Association
The Israel Football Association , also known as IFA, is the governing body of football in Israel. It organizes the football leagues, Israeli Premier League, Israeli State Cup, Toto Cup and the Israeli national football team. The association is based in Ramat Gan...
aimed to realign the leagues to improve competition. The league have sixteen clubs, at the end of each season the two or three relegated teams will be replaced by two or three Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
teams.
Current Premier League clubs (2011–12)
- Beitar Jerusalem
- Bnei Sakhnin
- Bnei Yehuda
- F.C. AshdodF.C. AshdodF.C. Ashdod is an Israeli football club, playing in the port city of Ashdod. The unorthodox name of the team is the result of the union of two city rivals, Hapoel Ashdod and Maccabi Ironi Ashdod...
- Hapoel AcreHapoel Acre F.C.Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:...
- Hapoel Be'er Sheva
- Hapoel Haifa
- Hapoel Petah Tikva
- Hapoel Tel Aviv
- Ironi Kiryat ShmonaHapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona F.C.Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Kiryat Shmona. The club are currently members of the Israeli Premier League and play at the Ironi Stadium...
- Ironi Ramat HaSharonIroni Nir Ramat HaSharon F.C.Hapoel Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon Football Club is an Israeli football based in Ramat HaSharon. They are currently plays in Israeli Premier League at the Winter Stadium, Ramat Gan.-History:...
- Ironi Rishon LeZion
- Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Haifa F.C.Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups...
- Maccabi Netanya
- Maccabi Petah Tikva
- Maccabi Tel Aviv
Liga Leumit
Liga LeumitLiga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
is the second tier of Israeli football, a position it has held since 1999, having originally been the top division prior to the Premier League's creation. It has 16 member clubs, the top two or three teams are promoted to the Premier League, The bottom two or three teams are relegated to Liga Alef at the end of each season.
Current Liga Leumit clubs (2011–12)
- Beitar Shimshon Tel Aviv
- Hakoah Amidar Ramat Gan
- Hapoel Ashkelon
- Hapoel Bnei Lod
- Hapoel HerzliyaHapoel Herzliya F.C.Hapoel Herzliya is an Israeli football club based in Herzliya. The club is currently in Liga Leumit and play their home matches at the Herzliya Municipal Stadium.-History:...
- Hapoel Jerusalem
- Hapoel Kfar Saba
- Hapoel Nazareth Illit
- Hapoel Ra'anana
- Hapoel Ramat Gan
- Ironi Bat YamMaccabi Ironi Bat Yam F.C.Maccabi Ironi Bat Yam is an Israeli football club based in Bat Yam. The club is currently in Liga Leumit and plays at the 3,100-capacity Bat Yam Municipal Stadium.-History:...
- Maccabi Ahi Nazareth
- Maccabi Be'er ShevaMaccabi Be'er Sheva F.C.Maccabi Be'er Sheva Football Club , is an Israeli football team based in Beersheba. While not nearly as popular as their city rivals, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the club made great strides in recent years including gaining promotion from Liga Bet to the Liga Leumit in just four seasons...
- Maccabi Herzliya
- Maccabi Umm al-FahmMaccabi Umm al-Fahm F.C.Maccabi Umm al-Fahm F.C. are a football club, from the north Israeli city of Umm al-Fahm. The club currently plays in Liga Leumit, the second tier of Israeli football. Home matches are played at the HaShalom Stadium.-Current Squad:...
- Sektzia Nes Tziona
Liga Alef
Liga AlefLiga Alef
-History:League football began in Israel in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga Alef...
is the third tier of Israeli football, a position it has held since 2009. Between 1999 and 2009 it was the fourth tier after Liga Artzit, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the third tier after Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the second division. Liga Alef consists of two divisions and has 32 member clubs. The divisions are based on the clubs' geographical position in the country and are split into a north and south category. The top club from each division is promoted at the end of the season to Liga Leumit, the bottom two clubs (from each division) are relegated at the end of the season to Liga Bet.
Liga Bet
Liga BetLiga Bet
-History:League football started in Israel in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga...
is the fourth tier of Israeli football, a position it has held since 2009. Between 1999 and 2009 it was the fifth tier after Liga Alef, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the fourth tier after the creation of Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the third division. Liga Bet consists of four divisions and has 64 member clubs. The divisions are based on the clubs geographical position in the country and are split into two north categories and two south categories. The top club from each division is promoted at the end of the season to the Liga Alef and the bottom two clubs (from each division) are relegated at the end of the season to Liga Gimel (if there are enough clubs coming up to replace them).
Liga Gimel
Liga GimelLiga Gimel
Liga Gimel is the fifth and bottom tier of Israeli football league system, a position it has held since 2009.-History:Between 1999 and 2009 it was the sixth tier after Liga Bet, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the fifth tier after the creation of Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the...
is the fifth and bottom tier of Israeli football, a position it has held since 2009. Between 1999 and 2009 it was the sixth tier after Liga Bet, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the fifth tier after the creation of Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the fourth division. Liga Gimel consists of six divisions of varying size, three in the north and three in the south. At the start of the 2010–11 season there are a total of 89 member clubs. If they meet criteria laid down by the IFA, the top club from each division is promoted at the end of the season to the Liga Bet. As it is the lowest division, no clubs are relegated.