You know, if you only look at the final Chinese Super League standings from last year, you’re missing the actual story. Football in China is weird right now. It’s chaotic. It’s expensive, then suddenly cheap, and then somehow deeply compelling again.
Shanghai Port just pulled off a three-peat. They secured their third straight title in November 2025, but it wasn't some runaway victory. It was a dogfight. Kevin Muscat, the Australian coach who seems to win trophies wherever he lands, managed to squeeze a 1-0 win out of Dalian Yingbo on the final day. Gabrielzinho scored in the fourth minute, and that was basically it. Total nerves.
Meanwhile, Shanghai Shenhua—the "blue" half of the city—finished second again. Imagine being that good and still being the bridesmaid for two years straight. They beat Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 3-1 on that final day, hoping for a miracle that never came.
The 2025 Chinese Super League Standings Breakdown
When you dig into the points, the gap at the top was razor-thin. Port finished with 66 points. Shenhua had 64. That’s one bad afternoon at the office for Port, and the trophy changes hands.
Chengdu Rongcheng took third with 60 points. If you haven't seen a match at Phoenix Hill, you're missing out. The atmosphere is arguably the best in Asia right now. They were followed by Beijing Guoan (57 points) and Shandong Taishan (53 points).
The drop-off after the top five is pretty steep.
Tianjin finished 6th, but they actually had a negative goal difference. It’s a strange league where you can be in the top half of the table while conceding more than you score.
Why the Middle of the Table is a Mess
The mid-section of the CSL is where logic goes to die. Look at Yunnan Yukun. They were the "new kids" last season and managed 8th place with 42 points. That’s impressive for a promoted side. On the flip side, you have Wuhan Three Towns. Remember when they won the league in 2022? Last year they finished 13th with only 25 points. They were lucky to stay up.
Here is how the bottom half shook out:
- Henan FC: 10th place (37 points).
- Dalian Yingbo: 11th place (36 points).
- Shenzhen Peng City: 12th place (27 points).
- Wuhan Three Towns: 13th place (25 points).
- Qingdao Hainiu: 14th place (25 points).
Then you have the heartbreak. Meizhou Hakka and Changchun Yatai. They’re gone. Relegated.
The New Faces for the 2026 Season
The league is currently in its pre-season lull, but the 2026 Chinese Super League standings are already being shaped by some massive changes. The 2026 season kicks off on March 6th and will run until November 8th.
And get this: the CFA decided to keep the league running during the 2026 World Cup. Most leagues pause. Not China. They figure the time difference with North America means fans can watch World Cup games in the morning and CSL games in the evening. It’s a bold—or maybe crazy—bet on fan stamina.
We also have two new teams coming up from League One: Liaoning Tieren and Chongqing Tonglianglong.
The Managerial Merry-Go-Round
Honestly, the coaching changes this winter have been wild. Roughly half the clubs in the league have new bosses. There’s this huge trend toward hiring domestic coaches.
Zheng Zhi, the legendary former captain, is finally taking a full-time head coaching gig at Qingdao West Coast. He’s replacing Shao Jiayi, who left to take over the national team. It feels like a changing of the guard.
Then you have the "Aussie Wave." John Aloisi is taking over at Chengdu Rongcheng. His brother, Ross Aloisi, is at Zhejiang. It’s becoming a small A-League colony in the Far East.
What to Watch for in 2026
If you're tracking the Chinese Super League standings this year, keep an eye on the "New Dalian." Dalian Yingbo finished 11th last year, but they have a massive stadium and a huge fan base. They’re the kind of "sleeping giant" that could suddenly jump into the top six if they get their recruitment right.
Also, watch Shanghai Shenhua. They’ve just signed a massive partnership with Onvo (Nio’s sub-brand). They have the money. They have the squad. They just need to stop finishing second.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are following the league this year, here is the "real talk" on how to read the table:
- Don't trust early-season leads: The CSL is notorious for teams starting hot and then running out of money or steam by June. Wait until the summer transfer window opens in July to see who is actually a contender.
- Watch the "Home" factor: Travel in China is brutal. Teams like Chengdu and Yunnan have massive home-field advantages because of the altitude or the travel distance for opponents.
- The "5+1" Rule: Teams can now register five foreign players. The clubs that use these spots on solid defenders rather than aging strikers usually end up higher in the standings.
- Domestic Coach Success: With the shift toward local coaches like Zheng Zhi and Chen Tao, look for teams that have better locker room chemistry. The era of the "Superstar Foreign Manager" who doesn't speak the language is fading.
The 2026 season is going to be a fascinating experiment in sustainability. No more billion-dollar transfers. No more Carlos Tevez-style wages. Just a lot of young local talent mixed with smart, mid-range foreign imports.
Keep an eye on the results starting in March. The battle at the bottom is likely to be just as fierce as the fight at the top, especially with the CFA threatening further relegations for clubs that can't get their finances in order. It's not just about winning on the pitch anymore; it's about surviving off it.
Next Steps for 2026 Monitoring
To stay ahead of the curve, you should track the pre-season friendlies happening this month in Haikou and Dubai. Most CSL rosters for the 2026 season will be finalized by late February. You can find official squad lists on the Chinese Football Association website or through regional sports outlets like Titan Sports. Pay close attention to the injury reports for Shanghai Port, as an aging squad is their biggest threat to a four-peat.