What Is 2017 Taiwan Football Premier League

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Taiwan Football Premier League was the inaugural season of Taiwan's top-tier professional football league, launched on April 8, 2017, with six teams competing. Taiwan Steel won the championship in this first season.

Key Facts

The 2017 Taiwan Football Premier League began on April 8, 2017, marking the first season of Taiwan's new top-flight football division.
Six teams participated in the inaugural season: Taiwan Steel, Taipower, Tatung, AC Taipei, Ming Chuan University, and Hang Yuen.
Taiwan Steel won the 2017 championship with 27 points from 15 matches, finishing unbeaten in the regular season.
The league replaced the Intercity Football League as Taiwan's premier football competition under a new professional structure.
Each team played 15 matches in a single-round robin format, with the top two advancing to a championship playoff.

Overview

The 2017 Taiwan Football Premier League marked a historic turning point in Taiwanese football, launching as the nation's first officially recognized professional football league. Organized by the Chinese Taipei Football Association (CTFA), the league replaced the semi-professional Intercity Football League to elevate the sport's standard and visibility across the island.

This inaugural season aimed to strengthen domestic football development, improve player competitiveness, and align with international standards. With financial backing and structural reforms, the league sought to attract younger talent and increase fan engagement through consistent scheduling and media coverage.

Launch Date: The league officially kicked off on April 8, 2017, with the first match held between Taiwan Steel and Taipower at Chengcing Lake Stadium.
Participating Teams: Six clubs competed: Taiwan Steel, Taipower, Tatung, AC Taipei, Ming Chuan University, and Hang Yuen, representing corporate and academic institutions.
Champion:Taiwan Steel won the inaugural title after defeating Taipower in the final playoff match on July 15, 2017.
Format: The season followed a single-round robin format, with each team playing 15 matches, followed by a top-two playoff for the championship.
Attendance & Reach: Matches averaged 500–1,000 spectators, with select games broadcast on local sports networks to expand visibility.

How It Works

The 2017 Taiwan Football Premier League introduced a new competitive structure designed to professionalize the sport in Taiwan. The season was organized into a regular phase and a championship playoff, with strict eligibility rules for players and clubs.

Regular Season: Each of the six teams played 15 matches in a single-round robin format, earning three points for a win and one for a draw.
Championship Playoff: The top two teams after the regular season, Taiwan Steel and Taipower, advanced to a two-leg final to determine the champion.
Player Eligibility: Teams were allowed five foreign players per matchday squad, though only three could be on the field at any time.
Home Stadiums: Clubs played home games at regional venues such as Chengcing Lake Stadium, Taipei Municipal Stadium, and Kaohsiung Football Stadium.
Season Duration: The league ran from April 8 to July 15, 2017, with matches typically held on weekends to maximize attendance.
Refereeing & Oversight: All matches were officiated by CTFA-certified referees, with video reviews introduced for key decisions in playoff games.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Taiwan Football Premier League compared to its predecessor and regional counterparts:

League	Established	Teams (2017)	Champion (2017)	Format
Taiwan Football Premier League	2017	6	Taiwan Steel	Round robin + playoff
Intercity Football League (pre-2017)	1982	8	N/A (semi-pro)	Double round robin
Chinese Super League (China)	2004	16	Guangzhou Evergrande	Double round robin
J1 League (Japan)	1992	18	Kawasaki Frontale	Double round robin
K League 1 (South Korea)	1983	12	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Double round robin

The table highlights Taiwan's transition from a semi-professional setup to a structured league model. While smaller in scale than regional leagues, the 2017 season laid the foundation for future expansion, youth integration, and international participation.

Why It Matters

The launch of the 2017 Taiwan Football Premier League represented a pivotal step toward modernizing football in Taiwan, setting new benchmarks for professionalism and competition. It provided a formal platform for local athletes and raised the sport's profile domestically and internationally.

National Development: The league supports Taiwan's long-term goal of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup and improving FIFA rankings through competitive domestic play.
Youth Pathways: Clubs like Ming Chuan University integrated student-athletes, bridging college football with professional aspirations.
Corporate Investment: Sponsors such as Taiwan Steel Group and CPC Corporation committed funding, ensuring financial stability for participating teams.
International Exposure: The league enabled players to gain experience that supports call-ups to the Taiwan national team (Chinese Taipei).
Women's Football Growth: Success in the men's league inspired parallel development in the Taiwan Mulan Football League.
Regional Integration: The CTFA aims to eventually link the league with East Asian Football Federation competitions for cross-border matches.

The 2017 season was more than a competition—it was the foundation of a new football era in Taiwan, emphasizing structure, investment, and long-term vision.