Colombo, Sri Lanka – January 11, 2025: The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has officially rebranded its prestigious Division-1 competition as “League-One”, signaling a new era for Sri Lankan football. This initiative aims to elevate the sport’s standards and make football more accessible to communities nationwide.

League-One: A New Identity for Sri Lankan Football

The FFSL competition committee unanimously approved the transformation, positioning League-One as the backbone of Sri Lanka’s football development. The rebranding aligns with FFSL’s vision to make football the “People’s Game”, fostering nationwide participation and nurturing emerging talent.

New Format & Features

The 2025 League-One tournament introduces a revamped format featuring 16 teams, strategically divided into four regional groups. Each team will compete in six home-and-away group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super-8 stage, where they will play another round of home-and-away fixtures in two groups.

For the first time in FFSL history, the semi-finals and final will be conducted as two-legged home-and-away matches, adding a fresh layer of excitement to the competition.

Future Growth & Expansion

In a significant development, League-One will expand to 32 teams by 2026, ensuring comprehensive representation from every province.

Incentives & Player Support

FFSL has announced attractive cash prizes to enhance competition:

• Champions: LKR 1 million
• Runners-up: LKR 500,000

Additionally, FFSL will provide match jerseys and match balls to all participating teams, reinforcing grassroots football development.

President’s Statement

“We are dedicated to making football accessible to every community in Sri Lanka. This year, we are investing significantly in domestic competitions to strengthen football’s foundation and integrate it into our nation’s culture.”

Key Dates

• Kickoff: February 8, 2025
• Grand Final: June 2025

A New Chapter for Sri Lankan Football

The transformation of Division-1 into League-One marks a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s football history. With a new identity, an expanded format, and strategic investments, League-One promises to shape the future of Sri Lankan football.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for the latest updates, match previews, and exclusive coverage of League-One and Sri Lanka football news.

Manchester City has secured the long-term future of their star striker Erling Haaland, who has signed a historic 9.5-year contract extension, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until 2034. The Premier League champions officially announced the deal on Friday, ensuring the Norwegian goal machine remains an integral part of their squad for the next decade.

Haaland’s previous contract was set to expire in June 2027, but City moved quickly to secure their talisman with a new deal that underlines his importance to the club’s ambitions.

The 24-year-old striker, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has been a phenomenal force in English football, netting an astonishing 111 goals in just 126 appearances. His prolific form played a crucial role in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning season in 2022-23, where they clinched the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles.

Expressing his delight at the new deal, Haaland stated, “I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club. Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody.”

City’s outgoing director of football, Txiki Begiristain, hailed the deal as a statement of intent from both the player and the club. “Everyone at the club is absolutely delighted that Erling has signed his new contract. The fact he is signed for so long demonstrates our commitment to him as a player, and his love of this club. He has made an incredible impact already in his time here, and his amazing numbers and records speak for themselves.”

Haaland’s contract extension marks one of the longest in Premier League history and solidifies City’s ambitions to remain dominant in English and European football for years to come.

Haaland’s Record-Breaking Stats at Manchester City:

• Appearances: 126
• Goals: 111
• Premier League Golden Boots: 1 (2022-23 season)
• Trophies Won: Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup

With Haaland committed to the club until 2034, Manchester City fans can expect many more years of record-breaking performances and unforgettable moments from one of the world’s most lethal strikers.

Sri Lanka’s national football team is gearing up for an exciting campaign in the AFC Asian Cup qualification third round after a thrilling play-off victory over Cambodia in September 2024. The Lions secured qualification with a dramatic penalty shootout win (4-2) after a 2-2 aggregate result in the second leg, following a goalless draw in the first match.

Despite a setback against Myanmar in October, with a 2-0 loss in the first match and a goalless draw in the second, Sri Lanka is now shifting focus to the crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

Sri Lanka Football Fixtures – AFC Asian Cup Qualification

• March 25, 2025 – Thailand vs. Sri Lanka (Away)
• June 10, 2025 – Sri Lanka vs. Chinese Taipei (Home)
• October 9, 2025 – Sri Lanka vs. Turkmenistan (Home)
• October 14, 2025 – Turkmenistan vs. Sri Lanka (Away)
• November 18, 2025 – Sri Lanka vs. Thailand (Home)
• March 31, 2026 – Chinese Taipei vs. Sri Lanka (Away)

Sri Lanka’s Road to AFC Asian Cup 2027

With a mix of home and away matches, Sri Lanka aims to secure a strong position in the qualification group. The matches against Thailand and Turkmenistan will be key challenges, while the clash against Chinese Taipei presents a crucial opportunity to gain vital points.

As Sri Lanka’s national football team continues its journey, fans can follow live updates, match previews, and in-depth analysis on Sri Lankan Sports TV. Stay tuned for exclusive insights on Sri Lanka football news, AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, and Sri Lanka’s performance in international football.

For the latest updates on Sri Lanka football fixtures, bookmark Sri Lankan Sports TV and follow us on social media!