Fiji Premier League

Last updated

Fiji Premier League
Founded1977;48 years ago (1977)
CountryFlag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Confederation OFC
Number of clubs10
Level on pyramid1
Relegation to Fiji Senior League
Domestic cup(s) FF Cup
Champion versus Champion
International cup(s) OFC Champions League
Current champions Rewa (2nd title)
(2024)
Most championships Ba (21 titles)
TV partners MAI TV
Sponsor(s) Extra Supermarket Vishnu Holdings Limited
Website fijifootball.com.fj
Current: 2025 Fiji Premier League

The Fiji Premier League or the FPL, also called Extra Supermarket Premier League for sponsorship reasons, [1] is the top division men's professional football league in Fiji. Contested by ten teams, it shares a promotion and relegation system with the Fiji Senior League (FSL). The League is controlled by the Fiji Football Association Extra Supermarket signed a sponsorship deal to sponsor the teams jersey and Medical kits with the Venue Fees And whereas Vishnu Holdings Limited Signed a sponsorship deal to pay for the teams Tour Fees.

Contents

The league was founded as the Fiji National League in 1977 by the Fiji Football Association which was won by Ba. The club that has the most championships is also Ba with 21 titles.

History

Foundation (1977)

In 1977, the Fiji National League (FNL) was founded. The first ever season was won by Ba.

Sponsorship deals

Since 2016, the league has been called the Vodafone Premier League after a sponsorship deal with Vodafone Fiji. [2] On March 3, 2021, Digicel Fiji signed a 3 year deal to sponsor the league, effectively renaming the competition to the Digicel Premier League. [3]

Competition format

Competition

There are 10 clubs in the Fiji Premier League. During the course of a season, each club plays the others twice (a double round-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponent's home. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank.

Promotion and relegation

A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Fiji Premier League and the Senior League. The last placed team in the Fiji Premier League are relegated to the Senior League, and the first placed team from the North and South zones of Senior League are promoted to the Fiji Premier League.

Format

From the inaugural 1977 season to the 2021 season, the Fiji Premier League had eight teams. However, since 2022, the league has had 10 teams.

Since 2016, the league has practiced promotion and relegation. Each season, the team that finishes last is relegated to the Senior League. The Senior League has two zones: the Vanua Levu Zone and the Viti Levu Zone. The highest-finishing clubs from each zone compete in a playoff match, the winner of which is promoted to the Premier League.

The season champion and runners-up both qualify for the OFC Champions League.

Clubs

Current clubs

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Ba
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Location of the 2024 Digicel Premier League season.

Champions

ClubWinsWinning yearsLongest Consecutive Wins
Ba 211977, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 20192001 - 2006 (6)
Nadi 91978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1998, 2000, 20151980 - 1983 (4)
Lautoka 71984, 1988, 2009, 2017, 2018, 2021, 20232017 - 2018 (2)
Suva 41996, 1997, 2014, 20201996 - 1997 (2)
Nadroga 31989, 1990, 19931989 - 1990 (2)
Labasa 21991, 2007
Rewa 22022, 2024

League Championship (for Districts)

Previous winners

National Club Championship

Club Franchise League

Top goalscorers

YearBest scorersTeamGoals
2001 Flag of Fiji.svg Lorima Batirerega Ba FC 7
2003 Flag of Fiji.svg Keni Doidoi Ba FC 8
2006 Flag of Fiji.svg Josaia Bukalidi Jr Ba FC 23
2007 Flag of Fiji.svg Maciu Dunadamu Labasa FC 17
2008 Flag of Fiji.svg Roy Krishna Labasa FC 31
2009 Flag of Fiji.svg Keni Doidoi Lautoka FC 12
2017 Flag of Fiji.svg Joel Shelvin Prasad Labasa FC 10
2018 Flag of Fiji.svg Rusiate Matarerega Nadi FC 8
2019 Flag of Fiji.svg Samuela Drudru Lautoka FC 12
2020 Flag of Fiji.svg Sairusi Nalaubu Suva 9
2021 Flag of Fiji.svg Sairusi Nalaubu Lautoka 9
2022 Flag of Fiji.svg Sairusi Nalaubu Lautoka 12
2023 Flag of Fiji.svg Sairusi Nalaubu Lautoka 19
2024 Flag of Fiji.svg Merrill Nand Suva 11
Most time goalscorers
Most goals by a player in a single season

Multiple hat-tricks

RankCountryPlayerHat-tricks
1 Flag of Fiji.svg Sairusi Nalaubu 2
2 Flag of Fiji.svg Brian Charitau1
Flag of Fiji.svg Simione Damuni
Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg Atkin Kaua
Flag of Fiji.svg Merrill Nand
Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg Junior Rocky
Flag of Fiji.svg Mohammed Shazil
Flag of Vanuatu.svg Azariah Soromon
Flag of Fiji.svg Avinesh Suwamy
Flag of Fiji.svg Saula Waqa
Flag of Fiji.svg Christopher Wasasala

References

  1. ↑ Matairakula, Talei (3 March 2021). "Fiji Football embarks on a new journey with Digicel". FCB News . Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  2. ↑ "Vodafone Fiji backs soccer league". Newswire. 13 February 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  3. ↑ "Fiji Football embarks on a new journey with Digicel – FBC News".
  4. ↑ Ba FC won the league and finished top of the points table, but second-placed Lautoka FC were awarded the title on Mar 11, 2011, after having a protest pertaining to their match on May 8, 2010 against Rewa (which finished 1–1) ruled in their favour. But the decision was overruled in July 2011, and Ba was declared the winner.
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