Overview The Ligue Haïtienne, founded in 1937 and governed by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, is Haiti’s top tier (level 1) in the national league pyramid. Contested by 18 clubs with promotion and relegation to Division 2, it is the country’s primary professional football competition.

Format & International Pathways Clubs compete domestically and can earn places in regional and continental competitions, including the CFU Club Shield, the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Historical Structure Since 2002 (except in 2012 and 2013), the league often used a two-stage season: Ouverture (O) and Fermeture/Clôture (F/C), producing separate champions each stage—similar to Apertura/Clausura formats in Latin America.

Champions & Records Racing CH leads the all-time table with 14 national titles. Real Hope FA won the 2024 championship. The league’s top historical goalscorer is Jean-Robert Menelas with 116 goals.

Special Seasons & Hiatus The competition has faced interruptions (e.g., civil unrest, COVID-19, and a multi-year hiatus). The current era includes a 2025 D1 Special Championship with three regional groups (14 teams) to adapt to conditions in the country.

Domestic Cups & Broadcast Clubs also contest the Coupe d’Haïti and the Trophée des Champions. The Haitian Football Federation has an exclusive broadcast agreement with Canal+ covering live matches and surrounding content.

Legacy From early champions like Racing CH and Violette AC to recent winners from Cap-Haïtien and Cayes, the Ligue Haïtienne remains a symbol of Haiti’s football identity, player development, and community pride.