Istanbul Lig or originally Constantinople Football Association League was founded by James La Fontaine and Henry Pears and started with the 1904-05 season with only four teams as the "Istanbul Sunday League". The matches between the four teams, Moda FC, HMS Imogene FC, Elpis FC, and Cadi-Keuy FC were played on Sundays, leading to the name of the Istanbul Sunday League. Henry Pears, an Englishman, promised to give the shield forever to the club who had won the most championships in 10 years.
The Istanbul Friday League was founded in 1915, and replaced the Istanbul Sunday League in that year. Seven clubs took part in the league when it was first founded in 1915-16: Galatasaray SK, Fenerbahçe SK, Altınordu İdman Yurdu SK, Anadolu Üsküdar 1908 SK, Küçükçekmece SK and Anadolu Hisarı İdman Yurdu SK. From 1923-1924 till 1950-1951 the league was called İstanbul Lig. The name of the tournament later changed and became Istanbul Professional League in the 1951-52 season. The Istanbul Football League was the first league organization in the Ottoman Empire (later Turkey). This league lasted for 55 years (four of the seasons have not been completed).
Fenerbahçe is the most successful club, having won the leagues a record 16 times in total.
Cadikeuy Football Club 1905-06 Champion