Guangzhou FC and Two Other Clubs Excluded from 2025 Chinese Professional Leagues

China's most successful football team disbands over unresolved debts, marking the end of an era of lavish spending in Chinese soccer.

Guangzhou FC, formerly Guangzhou Evergrande, failed to meet the Chinese Football Association's financial requirements for the 2025 season due to heavy historical debt.
The club, which dominated Chinese football with eight Super League titles and two Asian Champions League victories, announced its disbandment on Monday.
Cangzhou Mighty Lions and third-tier Hunan Xiangtao were also ruled ineligible for the 2025 season due to financial issues.
Guangzhou FC's downfall is linked to the financial collapse of its majority owner, Evergrande Group, which had invested heavily in the club during its peak years.
The Chinese Football Association approved 49 clubs for the 2025 season and emphasized the importance of financial sustainability and youth development in its statement.