The Bahraini Premier League is the main football competition in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Currently known as the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League, the first season was held in 1957. The winners of the domestic championship qualify for the AFC Cup. The championship is currently contested by 12 clubs. Structure Current structure 12 clubs currently play a two round robin set of fixtures totaling 22 games in order to determine the league champions. Although games are played on a home and away basis, almost all games are played at the National Stadium. The eleventh and twelfth-placed clubs are relegated with the ninth and tenth enter the relegation play-offs. Previous structures In earlier seasons, the league has been radically overhauled to feature all the professional clubs of Bahrain. Instances being the 2008–09 and 2002 league seasons. The leagues featuring up to 19 teams would play each other on one occasion with the top 10 teams staying in the Premier League top flight and the bottom sides (from 11 to 19) forming the next seasons 2nd division. Between the seasons of 2002 and 2009, the top four sides of the league would also play in the Crown Prince Cup. Clubs (2022–23) Al-Ahli Al-Hala Al-Hidd Al-Khaldiya Al-Muharraq Al-Riffa Al-Shabab Bahrain SC Budaiya East Riffa Manama Sitra 2022–23 Clubs' stadiums Team re-structuring In 2002, a host of clubs were amalgamated: Bahrain is an amalgamation of Bahrain and Al-Khaleej. Riffa is an amalgamation of West Riffa and Zallaq. Al-Najma is an amalgamation of Al-Hilal, Al-Qadisiya and Ras Al-Rumman. Al-Sahel is an amalgamation of Qalali and Hadd. Al-Tadamun is an amalgamation of Boori, Karazkan, Hamla, Reef Union and Damastan. Al-Shabab is an amalgamation of Deyya, Sanabis, Jadd Hafs, Naeem, Karrana, Sahla and Karbabad. Al-Ittifaq is an amalgamation of Al-Arabi, Maqaba and Bani Jumra. List of champions Champions are: 1956–57 : Al-Muharraq 1957–58 : Al-Muharraq 1958–59 : Al-Nasr 1959–60 : Al-Muharraq 1960–61 : Al-Muharraq 1961–62 : Al-Muharraq 1962–63 : Al-Muharraq 1963–64 : Al-Muharraq 1964–65 : Al-Muharraq 1965–66 : Al-Muharraq 1966–67 : Al-Muharraq 1967–68 : Bahrain (Muharraq) 1968–69 : Al-Ahli (Manama) 1969–70 : Al-Muharraq 1970–71 : Al-Muharraq 1971–72 : Al-Ahli (Manama) 1972–73 : Al-Muharraq 1973–74 : Al-Muharraq 1974–75 : Al-Arabi (Al-Najma now) 1975–76 : Al-Muharraq 1976–77 : Al-Ahli (Manama) 1977–78 : Bahrain (Muharraq) 1978–79 : Al Hala 1979–80 : Al-Muharraq 1980–81 : Bahrain (Muharraq) 1981–82 : West Riffa 1982–83 : Al-Muharraq 1983–84 : Al-Muharraq 1984–85 : Bahrain (Muharraq)