Azadegan League
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| Country | Iran |
|---|---|
| Confederation | AFC |
| Founded | 1991 officially 2001 with current format |
| Divisions | 1 |
| Number of teams | 18 (since 2016) |
| Level on pyramid | 2 (2001–) 1 (1991–2001) |
| Promotion to | Persian Gulf Pro League |
| Relegation to | League 2 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Hazfi Cup |
| Current champions |
Paykan (2015–16) |
| TV partners | IRIB |
| Website | www.lig1.ir |
 2016–17 Azadegan League
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The Azadegan League (Persian: ليگ آزادگان) (also called League 1) is one of two fully professional football leagues in Iran, and the second-highest professional league in the Iranian football league system after the Persian Gulf Pro League. The top two teams from the group automatically get promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League. The three worst teams are directly relegated to the 2nd Division.
In 1991 the league was founded as Iran's top division. But, after the creation of the Persian Gulf Pro League in 2001, the Azadegan League was declared as the second highest football league in the county.
Since the leagues inception as the official second division in 2001, no club has ever won the league title multiple times. Paykan has come the closest to achieving the feat, finishing as runners-up in the 2005–06 season and winning the league in the 2011–12 season.
In the summer of 2015 the format of the league was changed from a two group league to a one group and 20 team league. The format was again changed after the 2015–16 season as the number of teams was reduced to 18.
The first national league in Iran after the revolution was founded in 1989 with the name of Qods League. Esteghlal became winners of the first edition of the league.
In 1991, the national league was named to Azadegan League in honor of the Iranian prisoners of war who were released. The number of teams, playing in the league, varied from year to year. Pas and Saipa dominated the league in the first four years. Pas and Esteghlal both were also able to capture Asian Club Championships in the early 1990s. By the mid-90s Persepolis and Esteghlal regained their dominant form and the league champions in the period of 1995-2001 was either Esteghlal or Persepolis.
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