Ligue Haïtienne (French pronunciation: [liɡ ajisjɛ̃n]; Haitian League), is a Haitian professional league, governed by the Haitian Football Federation, for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the Haitian football league system. Contested by 18 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Division 2.
 | |
| Founded | 1937 |
|---|---|
| Country | Haiti |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Number of teams | 18 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Division 2 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Coupe d'Haïti Trophée des Champions |
| International cup(s) | CONCACAF Champions Cup CONCACAF Caribbean Cup |
| Current champions | Real Hope FA (2nd title) (2024) |
| Most championships | Racing CH (14 titles) |
| Top goalscorer | Jean-Robert Menelas (116 goals) |
| TV partners | Canal+ |
| Current: 2024 Ligue Haïtienne | |
Clubs also compete against continental rivals in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
History
Foundation
It was created in 1937 and is headed by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the official governing body of football in the country. The champion and runner-up teams of the league's tournaments qualify to participate in the CONCACAF Champions League from the first round of the CFU Club Championship. 20 teams participate in this league and compete for the national title. Racing CH, with 14 national titles, is the most successful club in the league to date.[1]
Clubs
Members for 2020–21
The following 18 clubs compete in the 2020–21 season.
- America des Cayes
- Arcahaie FC
- AS Capoise
- AS Cavaly
- AS Mirebalais
- Baltimore SC
- Cosmopolites SC
- Don Bosco FC
- FC Juventus des Cayes
- FICA
- Ouanaminthe FC
- Racing Club Haïtien
- Racing Gonaïves FC
- Real Hope FA
- Tempête FC
- Triomphe Liancourt FC
- US Rivartibonitienne
- Violette AC
Previous winners
Since 2002 (with the exception of 2012 and 2013), the league has employed a two-stage season with separate champions for both stages, a system found in many Latin American countries. In French-speaking Haiti, "O" stands for Ouverture (opening), corresponding to the Spanish Apertura, and "F" stands for Fermeture or "C" stands for Clôture (closing), corresponding to the Spanish Clausura.[1][2]
Performance By Club
| Club | City | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racing CH | Port-au-Prince | 14 | 2009 F |
| FICA | Cap-Haïtien | 8 | 2016 C |
| Violette AC | Port-au-Prince | 7 | 2020–21 O |
| Tempête FC | Saint-Marc | 5 | 2011 C |
| Don Bosco FC | Pétion-Ville | 5 | 2018 C |
| Baltimore SC | Saint-Marc | 4 | 2011 O |
| Aigle Noir AC | Port-au-Prince | 4 | 2005–06 F |
| Etoile Haïtienne | Port-au-Prince | 3 | 1944 |
| Excelsior AC | Port-au-Prince | 3 | 1951 |
| Racing FC | Gonaïves | 3 | 2016 O |
| AS Capoise | Cap-Haïtien | 3 | 2018 O |
| AS Mirebalais | Mirebalais | 2 | 2013 |
| Hatüey Bacardi Club | Port-au-Prince | 2 | 1945 |
| Roulado FC | La Gonâve | 2 | 2003 F |
| America FC | Cayes | 1 | 2014 O |
| Arcahaie FC | Arcahaie | 1 | 2019 O |
| Arsenal FC | Port-au-Prince | 1 | 1943 |
| Cavaly AS | Léogâne | 1 | 2007 F |
| Jeunesse Pétion-Ville | Pétion-Ville | 1 | 1956 |
| Real Hope FA | Cap-Haïtien | 1 | 2017 O |
| Victory SC | Port-au-Prince | 1 | 2010 C |
| Valencia FC | Léogâne | 1 | 2012 |
| Aigle Rouge des Gonaïves | Gonaïves | 1 | 1988 |
Top goalscorers
| Year | Name | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 |  Golman Pierre | FICA | 19 |
| 2001 | Golman Pierre | FICA | 24 |
| 2002 | Jean-Robert Menelas | Roulado FC | 16 |
| 2005–06 | Roscaldo Jérémie | AS Mirebalais | 10 |
| 2008 | Ricardo Charles | Victory SC | 12 |
| 2019 | Elyvens Déjean | Don Bosco FC | 8 |
| 2020 | André Amy Elyvens Déjean | AS Cavaly Don Bosco FC | 4 |
| 2020-21 | Angelo Exilus | Real Hope FA | 15 |
Media coverage
The Haitian Football Federation has an exclusive broadcasting agreement with French premium pay TV channel, Canal+. The agreement was made official on 7 March 2016, a five-year deal to start at the end of April, 2016. However the financial details are not disclosed. The deal includes coverage and live broadcasts; 15 matches of its choice for the 2016 season as well as interviews before and after each match.[3][4][5]
Canal+ Haiti, a subsidiary, offers three packages to view games domestically.[4]
See also
References
External links
- League at FIFA
- Equipes et clubs de Football at Haiti-Référence (in French)
- Club mottos at Haiti-Tempo (in French)