Wikipedia - Liga de Elite

Liga de Elite (lit.'Elite League'; Chinese: 澳門甲組足球聯賽), previously known as Campeonato da 1ª Divisão do Futebol, is the top division of the Macau Football Association, created in 1973. The league features local players and professional foreign players. Due to the lack of football fields in Macau, most matches are played at the Estádio Campo Desportivo. As with Hong Kong, the league is separate from the mainland Chinese football league system. The league is generally played between January and July of each calendar year.

History

In the inaugural 2014 edition, Lam Pak, Lam Ieng and Kuan Tai all forfeited from the First Division before the start of the competition. Lam Pak and Lam Ieng withdrew due to the lack of backing from sponsors and Kuan Tai cited budget issues and could no longer afford to pay some of its players. To solve the problem of three sudden vacancies, the Macau Football Association clarified that the two clubs that were relegated in 2013, Kei Lun and MFA Development, were invited to remain, and an additional third team would come from the Second Division. After careful consideration by the MFA, no team from the Second Division was picked, being deemed not competitive enough for the First Division.

The Macau 1st Division is the premier professional soccer league in Macau SAR, China. Established as the top tier of Macau's football hierarchy, the tournament features the best local clubs competing annually for the national championship. Known for its vibrant and competitive atmosphere, the Macau 1st Division showcases a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, reflecting the region's growing passion for football. The league operates under the auspices of the Macau Football Association and serves as a vital platform for local talent development and community engagement. Matches are held across various stadiums in Macau, drawing enthusiastic fans and fostering a strong sense of sporting pride within the region.