Persian Gulf Pro League

The Persian Gulf Pro League (Persian: ‫)ﻟﯿﮓ ﺑﺮﺗﺮ ﺧﻠﯿﺞ ﻓﺎرس‬, formerly known as the Iran Pro League (Persian:
Persian Gulf Pro League
‫)ﻟﯿﮓ ﺑﺮﺗﺮ ﻓﻮﺗﺒﺎل اﯾﺮان‬, is the highest division of professional football in Iran. The league was also known as the
‫ﻟﯿﮓ ﺑﺮﺗﺮ ﺧﻠﯿﺞ ﻓﺎرس‬
Persian Gulf Cup (Persian: ‫ )ﺟﺎم ﺧﻠﯿﺞ ﻓﺎرس‬from 2006. It is the top-level football league in Iran since its
foundation in 2 November 2001. Each year, the top finishing team in the Persian Gulf Pro League becomes the
Iranian football champion, and the lowest finishing teams are relegated toAzadegan League.

Since 2013, the league comprises 16 teams. The winner and runner-up of the Persian Gulf Pro League and the
Hazfi Cup champion are automatically qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage. The third of the
Persian Gulf Pro League is qualified for the AFC Champions League Play-off round. The bottom two teams in the
league are relegated to Azadegan League. In the past, the format and number of teams were changed for various
times. Sepahan is the most successful club, with five titles, while Persepolis is the Iranian record champion, with Founded 1970
11 titles. (since 2001 as Pro
League)
Country Iran

Contents Confederation AFC

Number of teams 16
History
Persian Gulf Cup Level on pyramid 1
Persian Gulf Pro League
Relegation to Azadegan League
Format
Domestic cup(s) Hazfi Cup
Logo Iranian Super Cup
Ranking
International cup(s) AFC Champions
Current clubs
League
Champions
Current champions Persepolis (11th title)
All-time table
(2017–18)
Attendances
Average league attendances Most championships Persepolis (11 titles)
Highest attended season matches Most appearances Jalal Hosseini (449)
Records Top goalscorer Reza Enayati (149
All-time top scorers goals)
All-time top appearances
TV partners TV3
Broadcasting and sponsorship
Broadcasting Varzesh
Sponsorship Shoma
Ownership Jame Jam
See also IRIB Provincial
Channels
References
External links Website IranLeague.ir

2018–19 Persian Gulf Pro League

History
To the turn of the millennium the Iranian Football Federation decided to create a new professional football league. In 2001 the
Iran Pro League was founded as the new top-level football league in Iran.[1] With the foundation of the Iran Pro League also
professional football was finally established in Iran. After the Iran Pro League was established as the professional football
league of Iran, Azadegan League was declared as the second-highest league in the Iranian football league system.[1] The Iran
Pro League comprised 14 clubs until the2003–04 season.

The first winner of the Iran Pro League was Persepolis, who beat archrival Esteghlal by one point on the final match day.
Esteghlal was the leading team after 25 matchdays, but they lost their last match away against Malavan 0–1, while Persepolis
could beat Fajr Sepasi with the same score at home. Esteghlal Rasht and East Azerbaijan's famous club Tractor Sazi had been
relegated to the Azadegan League. Tractor Sazi needs eight years when they returned finally back to Iran's highest division. The
first top goal scorer of the Iran Pro League was Reza Enayati of Aboumoslem with 17 goals. The next season was won by
Sepahan, the most supported team of Isfahan. Sepahan was the first Iranian football champion based outside of the capital
Tehran. At the end of the season three traditional teams were relegated to Azadegan League: Aboumoslem, Malavan and Sanat
Naft Abadan.

The vice champion of the 2002–03 season, PAS Tehran, became the Iranian football champion of the 2003–04 Iran Pro League.
League Trophy, being crafted to be It was the last Iranian championship for PAS Tehran as one of the most successful Iranian football clubs of all time. PAS
used in 2017 title and onward. Tehran's professional football team was dissolved in 2007. Ali Daei, who returned to Persepolis, became the top goal scorer
with 16 goals. The 2003–04 season was the last edition of the league with 14 teams.
In 2004 the number of teams were increased from 14 to 16 teams. Foolad of Ahvaz became the first
champion from Khuzestan Province after winning the 2004–05 Iran Pro League six points ahead of Persian Gulf Pro League champions
Zob Ahan. Reza Enayati of Esteghlal became the league's top goal scorer for the second time in his Season Champions Runners-up
career after scoring 20 goals in 24 matches. He repeated his success with 21 goals in the 2005–06
2001–02 Persepolis Esteghlal
Iran Pro League when Esteghlal celebrated their first championship since 2001. They defeated
2002–03 Sepahan PAS Tehran
Bargh Shiraz in front of over 100,000 fans at Azadi 4–1 and won the league one point ahead of PAS
Tehran. Shamoushak Noshahr and Shahid Ghandi (today known as Tarbiat Yazd) relegated to 2003–04 PAS Tehran Esteghlal
Azadegan League. 2004–05 Foolad Zob Ahan
2005–06 Esteghlal PAS Tehran
Persian Gulf Cup 2006–07 Saipa Esteghlal Ahvaz
On 12 August 2006, the Iranian Football Federation decided to give the league another name.[2] 2007–08 Persepolis Sepahan
Since then the league primarily had been known in Iran as Persian Gulf Cup. The Football
2008–09 Esteghlal Zob Ahan
Federation decided this to promote the Persian naming. The name of the Persian Gulf has been
disputed by some Arab countries since the 1960s due to political and ethnic dif
ferences between Iran 2009–10 Sepahan Zob Ahan
and Arab countries. The football Federation decided also to change the logo of the league. The 2010–11 Sepahan Esteghlal
finally logo was selected from over 130 designs and unveiled on 14 November 2006.[3] Under the 2011–12 Sepahan Tractor Sazi
leadership of Iranian football legend Ali Daei, Saipa won the 2006–07 Persian Gulf Cup two points
2012–13 Esteghlal Tractor Sazi
ahead of Esteghlal Ahvaz. Until 2007 six different teams won the league title successively. For the
first time in history a foreign player became the league's top goal scorer. Nigerian striker Daniel 2013–14 Foolad Persepolis
Olerum scored 17 goals in 27 matches for Aboumoslem. The winner of only two seasons before, 2014–15 Sepahan Tractor Sazi
Foolad, had to relegated to Azadegan League.
Esteghlal
2015–16 Persepolis
Khuzestan
Before the start of the 2007–08 season the number of teams were increased from 16 to 18 teams.
The professional football team of PAS Tehran was also dissolved before the start of the season. 2016–17 Persepolis Esteghlal
Instead of PAS Tehran a new club was founded in Hamadan and named PAS Hamedan. This was 2017–18 Persepolis Zob Ahan
part of the strategy by the Iranian Football Federation to locate more teams in cities outside of
Tehran. In 2008 also Saba Battery was moved from Tehran to Qom. Since then the club is known as Saba Qom. The
championship of the 2007–08 season was decided on the last macthday. Persepolis defeated Sepahan in front of an
incredible crowd of 110,000 fans at Azadi 2–1. Sepehr Heidari scored the decisive goal in a dramatic match in the
sixth minute of additional time. Sanat Naft and Shirin Faraz (today known as Rahian Kermanshah) relegated to
Azadegan League. The next season was dominated by Perspolis archrival Esteghlal and the two surprising teams
Zob Ahan and Mes Kerman. Zob Ahan was the leading team after 75 minutes on matchday 34 before they lost their
match against Foolad due to three conceded goals in the last 15 minutes with 1–4. In the meantime Esteghlal saved
their 1–0 lead against Payam Mashhad and won the league due to better goal difference. Last but not least Payam
Mashhad had to relegated alongsideBargh Shiraz and Damash.

The 2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup was dominated by the two Isfahan based clubs Sepahan and Zob Ahan. Ultimately
Sepahan won the league six points before Zob Ahan. Sepahan Iraqi striker Emad Mohammed became the second Persepolis fans during the dramatic league final
foreign player, who won the league's top goal scorer award. He scored 19 goals, one more as teammate Ibrahima against Sepahan in 2008
Touré. Sepahan repeated their success by winning the 2010–11 and 2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup. For the first time in
history of Iranian football a team became the Iranian champion three times in a row. Esteghlal broke Sepahan's
success finally in 2013. Esteghlal won the 2012–13 Persian Gulf Cup and became for the eight time in their history
the Iranian champion. During an exciting championship battle between Esteghlal and Sepahan, they faced each other
in Tehran's Azadi Stadium on week 32. Moharram Navidkia scored the opening goal for Sepahan, however
Esteghlal equalized in the 94th minute due to an own goal by Sepahan defender Mohsen Irannejad. On week 33
Sepahan lost their away game against Damash 1–2 while Esteghlal could beat Foolad in Ahvaz with 1–0 and
became the 2013 champion.

The League was scaled down from 18 to 16 teams before the beginning of the next season. Foolad won the 2013–14
Persian Gulf Cup after an exciting, though a very defensive season at the same time. At the end Foolad ranged just
Esteghlal celebrate the championship in 2013.
36 goals for the title. On the last matchday four other teams,Esteghlal, Naft Tehran, Persepolis and Sepahan, had the
chance to win the championship alongside Foolad. While Esteghlal were defeated by Tractor Sazi at home with 1–3
and lost their AFC Champions League spot, Persepolis won their away game against Esteghlal Khuzestan with 1–0. Sepahan and Naft Tehran faced each other directly. Also
Sepahan lost their AFC Champions League spot although they won the match with 1–0. Both teams had the same goal difference but Naft Tehran scored more goals in the
season. Finally Foolad saved their championship after they defeatedGostaresh Foulad away by a goal of Mehrdad Jama'ati.

Persian Gulf Pro League

The league changed its name from Persian Gulf Cup to Persian Gulf Pro League in 2014. The Iranian Football Federation decided also to change the logos of the Persian Gulf
Pro League and of the Azadegan League. The 2014–15 Persian Gulf Pro League was embossed by an exciting championship battle between Sepahan, Tractor Sazi and Naft
Tehran. Tractor Sazi was ahead of their opponents Naft Tehran on goal difference, and a point of Sepahan. Tractor Sazi and Naft Tehran faced each other at Sahand, while
Sepahan had to play Saipa at home. Tractor Sazi were in front 3–1 after an hour thanks to goals from Brazilian striker Edinho, Andranik Teymourian and Farid Karimi. But then
the game started to turn worse for Tractor Sazi. A very controversial red card for national team captain Andranik Teymourian and two goals by the visitors destroyed Tractor
Sazi dreams. Furthermore, there were strange events in the stadium, including a lot of misinformation and disturbed telecommunication. Although Sepahan secured their title
.[4][5]
with a 2–0 victory over Saipa, thousands of Tractor Sazi supporters celebrated on the pitch, believing that they won the league for the first time in club's history
Also the 2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League was not decided until the last matchday. Thanks to two goals from
Rahim Zahivi at the last matchday against Zob Ahan, the Ahvaz based team Esteghlal Khuzestan won the league
sensational in front of Persepolis and Esteghlal.[6] Persepolis missed their big opportunity winning the league after
eight years. They were shocked on matchday 28 as they lost their match against Naft Tehran 0–2 at a packed Azadi.
However Persepolis dominated the next season and won the 2016–17 Persian Gulf Pro League clear before
Esteghlal and Tractor Sazi.[7]

Format
In the past, the number of teams were changed for various times. Since 2013, the league comprises 16 teams. Over Esteghlal Khuzestan celebrate their
the course of a season, which runs annually from July to the following May
, each team plays twice against the others championship in 2016.

in the league, once at home and once away, resulting in each team competing in 30 games in total. Three points are
awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the league table by points gained,
then goal difference, then goals scored and then their head-to-head record for that season.

At the end of the season, the club with the most points becomes the Iranian champion. Currently, the top two clubs in the table and the Hazfi Cup champion qualify
automatically for the group phase of the AFC Champions League, while the third-place team enters the AFC Champions League at the Play-off round. The bottom two teams
are relegated to Azadegan League. Furthermore, all teams in the Persian Gulf Pro League can participate in the
Hazfi Cup.

Number of teams Period

14 2001–02 until 2003–04
16 2004–05 until 2006–07, since 2013–14
18 2007–08 until 2012–13

Logo

Logo from 2006 to 2014 Logo since 2014

Ranking
As of 21 March 2018

Ranking FIFA Points Club Points

Member Association Total Points 2018 2017 2016 2015
2018 2017 Mvmt Points (10%) Points (90%)

1 3 +2 China 96.414 508 6.414 63.267 90.000 8.200 24.567 14.750 15.750

2 6 +4 Qatar 93.812 332 4.192 63.000 89.620 8.600 13.400 22.000 19.000
3 1 -2 United Arab Emirates 87.865 430 5.429 57.950 82.436 3.600 11.350 18.000 25.000

4 2 -2 South Korea 83.883 554 6.995 54.050 76.888 6.600 9.950 20.750 16.750

5 7 +1 Iran 76.575 792 10.000 46.800 66.575 6.350 16.200 13.000 11.250

6 5 — Japan 82.455 593 7.487 52.700 74.968 5.100 21.850 10.500 15.250

7 4 -3 Saudi Arabia 75.017 494 6.237 48.350 68.780 5.000 18.600 9.500 15.250

8 8 — Australia 53.726 740 9.343 31.200 44.383 3.800 5.900 14.000 7.500

9 10 +1 Thailand 48.882 238 3.005 32.250 45.877 6.200 15.050 1.000 10.000

10 9 -1 Uzbekistan 41.186 451 5.694 24.950 35.492 5.400 5.050 9.750 4.750

Current clubs
 Team Location Stadium Capacity
Esteghlal Tehran Azadi 78,116
Esteghlal Khuzestan Ahvaz Ghadir 38,900 Machine Sazi Sepidrood
Tractor Sazi
Foolad Ahvaz Foolad Arena 30,655 Esteghlal Nassaji
Paykan Padideh
Machine Sazi Tabriz Bonyan Diesel 12,000 Persepolis
Saipa
Naft Masjed Soleyman Masjed Soleyman Behnam Mohammadi 8,000
Nassaji Mazandaran Qaemshahr Vatani 15,000
Sepahan
Naft MIS
Padideh Mashhad Imam Reza 27,700 Zob Ahan
Est. Khuzestan
Pars Jonoubi Jam Jam Takhti Jam 15,000 Foolad
Paykan Shahr-e Qods Shahre Qods 25,000 Sanat Naft

Persepolis Tehran Azadi 78,116

Pars Jonoubi Jam
Saipa Tehran Dastgerdi 8,250
Sanat Naft Abadan Takhti Abadan 8,000
Sepahan Isfahan Naghsh-e-Jahan 75,000
Sepidrood Rasht Sardar Jangal 15,000
Locations of clubs in 2018–19 Persian Gulf Pro League
Tractor Sazi Tabriz Sahand 66,833
Zob Ahan Fuladshahr Foolad Shahr 15,000

Champions
Runners-
Club Winners Winning seasons
up
1971–72, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2007–08, 2016–17,
Persepolis 11 9
2017–18
Esteghlal 8 9 1970–71, 1974–75, 1989–90, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2012–13
Pas Tehran 5 5 1976–77, 1977–78, 1991–92, 1992–93, 2003–04
Sepahan 5 1 2002–03, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15
Saipa 3 0 1993–94, 1994–95, 2006–07
Foolad 2 0 2004–05, 2013–14
Esteghlal
1 0 2015–16
Khuzestan

All-time table
 Runners- Third Best
Pos. Club Seasons Matches Win Draw Loss GF GA GD Pts Champions Relegated
up place rank

1 Esteghlal1 17 522 255 165 102 773 492 +281 929 3 4 5 — 1st

Persepolis3 4
2 5 17 522 238 166 118 741 520 +221 867 4 2 2 — 1st

3 Sepahan2 17 522 230 166 126 741 515 +226 853 5 1 1 — 1st

4 Zob Ahan6 17 522 210 175 137 654 525 +129 804 — 4 1 — 2nd

5 Foolad 16 488 186 166 136 577 502 +75 724 2 — 2 1 1st
6 Saipa 17 522 167 181 174 589 599 −10 682 1 — 1 — 1st
7 Saba Qom 13 414 128 159 127 468 460 +8 543 — — 1 1 3rd

8 Malavan7 14 436 121 145 170 403 502 −99 507 — — — 2 7th

9 Tractor Sazi8 10 312 129 108 75 415 322 +96 494 — 3 1 1 2nd

10 Paykan 13 398 122 113 163 413 495 −81 489 — — — 4 5th
11 Fajr Sepasi 12 368 101 135 132 347 406 −59 438 — — — 2 4th
12 Rah Ahan 11 354 91 114 149 353 447 −94 387 — — — 1 8th
13 Naft Tehran 8 252 91 88 73 284 258 +27 361 — — 2 1 3rd
14 Mes Kerman 8 264 85 99 80 310 292 +18 354 — — 1 1 3rd
15 Aboumoslem 9 270 83 90 97 295 304 −9 339 — — — 1 4th
Esteghlal
16 9 274 80 78 116 327 402 −75 318 — 1 — 2 2nd
Ahvaz

17 PAS Tehran9 6 168 72 59 37 263 181 +82 274 1 2 — — 1st

18 Bargh Shiraz 8 236 60 78 98 250 335 −85 258 — — — 1 7th

19 Damash10 8 248 56 81 111 228 344 −116 248 — — — 2 7th

20 Sanat Naft 7 222 61 61 100 238 317 −85 244 — — — 3 9th

Esteghlal
21 5 150 42 59 49 155 172 −18 185 1 — — — 1st
Khuzestan
Gostaresh
22 5 150 39 60 51 147 161 −14 177 — — — — 8th
Foulad
23 PAS Hamedan 4 136 38 48 50 143 165 −22 162 — — — 1 5th
24 Padideh 4 120 34 43 43 114 129 −15 139 — — — — 10th
Shahin
25 3 102 23 38 41 96 118 −22 107 — — — 1 13th
Bushehr

26 Steel Azin11 2 68 19 23 26 85 112 −27 80 — — — 1 5th

Shamoushak
27 3 86 16 26 44 64 118 −54 74 — — — 1 14th
Noshahr
28 Siah Jamegan 3 90 15 27 48 64 117 −53 72 — — — 1 13th
Shahrdari
29 2 68 14 29 25 79 97 −18 71 — — — 1 12th
Tabriz
Pars Jonoubi
30 1 30 11 14 5 34 24 +10 47 — — — — 5th
Jam
Aluminium
31 1 34 7 14 13 26 40 −14 35 — — — 1 15th
Hormozgan
Payam
32 1 34 9 8 17 33 52 −19 35 — — — 1 16th
Mashhad
33 Sepidrood 1 30 8 6 16 24 39 −15 30 — — — — 13th
Mes
34 1 34 5 9 20 23 54 −31 24 — — — 1 18th
Sarcheshmeh
Naft Masjed
35 1 30 3 13 14 19 39 −20 22 — — — 1 16th
Soleyman
Rahian
36 1 34 3 12 19 25 59 −34 21 — — — 1 18th
Kermanshah12

37 Tarbiat Yazd13 1 30 4 7 19 21 43 −22 19 — — — 1 16th

Gahar
38 1 34 3 10 21 24 59 −35 19 — — — 1 18th
Zagros14
39 Machine Sazi 1 30 3 7 20 18 45 −27 16 — — — 1 16th
Nassaji
40 — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Mazandaran
 2018–19 Persian Gulf Pro League
2018–19 Azadegan League
2018–19 League 2
Dissolved

Source: iplstats.com
Notes:
Only league matches; play-offs are not included in the all-time table.
1 Esteghlal was deducted one point in the2013–14 season.
2 Sepahan was deducted three points in the2007–08 season.
3 Persepolis was deducted six points in the2005–06 season.
4 Persepolis was deducted six points in the2007–08 season.
5 Persepolis was deducted one point in the2013–14 season.
6 Zob Ahan was deducted one point in the2005–06 season.
7 Malavan was deducted one point in the2013–14 season.
8 Tractor Sazi was deducted one point in the2013–14 season.
9 PAS Tehran was deducted one point in the2006–07 season.
10 Damash was deducted one point in the2013–14 season.
11 Steel Azin was formerly known as Ekbatan.
12 Rahian Kermanshahwas formerly known as Shirin Faraz.
13 Tarbiat Yazd was formerly known as Shahid Ghandi.
14 Gahar Zagros was formerly known as Damash Lorestan.

Attendances

Average league attendances

Season Average Highest attended club Club average Lowest attended club Club average
2005–06 9,179 Esteghlal 33,467 Shamoushak Noshahr 3,542
2006–07 10,119 Esteghlal 35,000 Rah Ahan 4,073
2007–08 11,235 Persepolis 60,000 Rah Ahan 2,647
2008–09 8,954 Persepolis 40,688 PAS Hamedan 3,706
2009–10 12,298 Tractor Sazi 57,647 Paykan 2,313
2010–11 9,383 Tractor Sazi 42,000 Paykan 1,941
2011–12 9,488 Tractor Sazi 39,533 Mes Sarcheshmeh 1,706
2012–13 7,964 Esteghlal 34,250 Rah Ahan 1,942
2013–14 7,631 Persepolis 29,467 Rah Ahan 1,664
2014–15 6,921 Tractor Sazi 27,488 Saba Qom 1,365
2015–16 8,048 Persepolis 47,036 Naft Tehran 1,594
2016–17 8,086 Persepolis 48,567 Gostaresh Foulad 1,018
2017–18 9,060 Persepolis 39,786 Gostaresh Foulad 817

Notes:
Matches with spectator bans are not included in average attendances.

Highest attended season matches

 Season Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Week Stadium
2005–06 Esteghlal 4–1 Bargh Shiraz 100,000 21 April 2006 30 Azadi
2006–07 Persepolis 2–1 Esteghlal 95,000 3 November 2006 8 Azadi
2007–08 Persepolis 2–1 Sepahan 110,000 17 May 2008 34 Azadi
Persepolis 2–0 Damash 90,000 25 September 2008 8 Azadi
2008–09 Persepolis 1–1 Esteghlal 90,000 3 October 2008 9 Azadi
Esteghlal 1–1 Persepolis 90,000 13 February 2009 26 Azadi
2009–10 Tractor Sazi 0–0 Moghavemat 95,000 22 January 2010 24 Sahand
2010–11 Esteghlal 1–0 Persepolis 100,000 15 October 2010 11 Azadi
2011–12 Persepolis 0–2 Esteghlal 100,000 16 September 2011 7 Azadi
Esteghlal 0–0 Persepolis 100,000 25 January 2013 23 Azadi
2012–13
Esteghlal 1–2 Damash 100,000 10 May 2013 34 Azadi
2013–14 Esteghlal 0–0 Persepolis 100,000 6 September 2013 8 Azadi
2014–15 Tractor Sazi 3–3 Naft Tehran 80,000 15 May 2015 30 Sahand
2015–16 Persepolis 4–2 Esteghlal 100,000 15 April 2016 26 Azadi
2016–17 Persepolis 4–0 Padideh 80,000 19 April 2017 28 Azadi
2017–18 Esteghlal 1–0 Persepolis 100,000 1 March 2018 25 Azadi

Records

All-time top scorers

As of December 16, 2018

No. Player Goals Years

1 Reza Enayati 149 2001–2017

2 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 116 2001–2018

3 Arash Borhani 114 2002–2017

4 Fereydoon Fazli 85 2001–2010

5 Édinho 82 2008–present

6 Jalal Rafkhaei 79 2005–present

7 Karim Ansarifard 77 2007–2014

8 Mohammad Reza Khalatbari 74 2004–present

9 Mohammad Gholami 72 2001–present

10 Emad Mohammed 70 2005–2012

Players in bold are still active in the league.

All-time top appearances

As of December 16, 2018

No Player Appearance Years

1 Jalal Hosseini 449 2002–present

2 Mehdi Rahmati 438 2001–present

3 Ebrahim Sadeghi 437 2000– 2017

4 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 381 2001– 2018

5 Morteza Asadi 380 2005–present

6 Amir Hossein Sadeghi 379 2003–present

7 Mohsen Bengar 372 2003–present

8 Pejman Nouri 367 2001–present

9 Khosro Heydari 366 2002–present

10 Reza Enayati 358 2001 to 2017

Broadcasting and sponsorship

Broadcasting
The state-owned television channel IRIB has the broadcasting rights for the most matches of the Persian Gulf Pro League,
Azadegan League and Hazfi Cup. Each match of Esteghlal and Persepolis is broadcasting by IRIB TV3, IRIB's popular channel. In
addition to that Esteghlal and Persepolis playing not at the same time with the exception of the Sorkhabi derby and the last two
matchdays of each season. IRIB Varzesh shows other important matches, while the remaining games are shown on IRIB regional
channels. Furthermore,Navad, a popular weekly football program broadcast by IRIB TV3, shows highlights of all Persian Gulf Pro
League and Azadegan League matches.
Logo of IRIB TV3, the league's
important TV partner

Sponsorship
The Persian Gulf Pro League has been sponsored since 2005. There have been four sponsors since the league's formation.

2001–2005: no sponsor
2005–2007: Zamzam
2007–2009: Padideh
2009–2014: Irancell
2014–2016: Sun Star
2016–present: Fanap
[8]
According to a study from November 2012, clubs in the2010–11 Persian Gulf Cup on average obtained 15% of their income from sponsorships.

Ownership

See also
Football in Iran
Iranian football league system
Azadegan League
League 2
League 3
Hazfi Cup
Iranian Super Cup

References
1. "Foundation of the Iran Pro League"(http://iranleague.ir/Home/About). iranleague.ir. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
2. ‫( ﺑﺮﻧﺎﻣﻪي ﻛﺎﻣﻞ دور رﻓﺖ ﺷﺸﻤﻴﻦ دورهي ﻟﻴﮓ ﺑﺮﺗﺮ ﻓﻮﺗﺒﺎل؛ ﻟﻴﮓ ﺑﺮﺗﺮ ﺑﻪ "ﺧﻠﻴﺞ ﻓﺎرس" ﺗﻐﻴﻴﺮ ﻧﺎم داد‬https://web.archive.org/web/20120212183148/http://www
.isna.ir/M
ain/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-769028&Lang=P)(in Persian). ISNA. Archived from the original (http://www.isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-769028&
Lang=P) on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2006-08-14.
3. ‫( ﺑﺮﺗﺮﻳﻦ ﻃﺮح اراﺋﻪ ﺷﺪه ﺑﺮاي ﻟﻴﮓ ﺑﺮﺗﺮ اﻧﺘﺨﺎب ﺷﺪ‬https://web.archive.org/web/20110726185222/http://irif f.ir/news/files/show_news.asp?id=6641&rc=3)(in
Persian). IRIFF Official Website. Archived from the original (http://iriff.ir/news/files/show_news.asp?id=6641&rc=3) on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2006-11-24.
4. Hurrey, Adam (18 May 2015)."Iranian side mistakenly celebrate winning the league title"(https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/babb/11612816/Iranian-
side-mistakenly-celebrate-winning-the-league-title.html)– via www.telegraph.co.uk.
5. "Sepahan Wins Iran Professional League - T
asnim News Agency" (https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2015/05/16/741634/sepahan-wins-iran-profession
al-league).
6. "Esteghlal Khuzestan crowned IPL champion, Malavan and Rah Ahan relegated(VIDEO)"
(http://iransportspress.com/esteghlal-khuzestan-crowned-ipl-cha
mpion-malavan-and-rah-ahan-relegated/).
7. "Persepolis Crowned Champion of Persian Gulf Pro League 2016/17"(https://financialtribune.com/articles/art-and-culture/62807/persepolis-crowned-champ
ion-of-persian-gulf-pro-league-201617). 19 April 2017.
8. Mahsa Qorbani; Mohammad Javad Sheikh; Meysam Bagheri (November 2012). "A comparative study of how to finance professional football premier
leagues in Iran and England"(http://www.scholarly-journals.com/jba/2012/November/Qorbani%20et%20al.pdf)(PDF). Scholarly Journal of Business
Administration. 2 (9): 147. Retrieved 12 January 2013.

External links
Persian Gulf Pro League official website
Persian Gulf Pro Leagueat Soccerway.com
List of Iran all-time top scorers at RSSSF

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This page was last edited on 9 April 2019, at 08:10(UTC).

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