Launch of the 2025/26 Thai Football Season
Representatives from various Thai football league teams recently gathered for the official launch event of the 2025/26 domestic season, which is set to begin next week. The event, titled “Thai League Beyond the Game 2025/26,” took place at Hua Lamphong train station and was attended by key figures in Thai football.
Nualphan Lamsam, president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), expressed her excitement about the upcoming season. “The fun atmosphere will return with the start of the new season of Thailand's professional football leagues next week,” she said during the event. She highlighted the importance of the support received from fans, emphasizing that football is a sport watched by 70 percent of Thais. This year, 102 clubs are participating in the league, with increased financial backing from sponsors like BYD, an electric vehicle company.
BYD has become the title sponsor of all three domestic leagues, leading to the renaming of the top-tier competition as the BYD Sealion 6 Thai League 1, the second tier as the BYD Seal 5 Thai League 2, and the third tier as the BYD Dolphin Thai League 3. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the Thai football scene, offering greater visibility and resources for clubs across the country.
In addition to BYD, the event also saw the involvement of three major rights holders: GULF, JAS, and AIS. These companies have joined forces to broadcast every match from all three leagues live, enhancing the accessibility of the sport for fans nationwide.
Benson Ke, general manager of BYD Thailand, shared his enthusiasm about the sponsorship. “I'm very proud to be a part of the Thai League press conference, with the new season starting next week. Everyone knows that football is the most popular sport in Thailand. And I always think that sports can bring people together. We are honoured to be a sponsor for the Thai football league and we hope that we can grow together and succeed together.”
New Jerseys and Excitement on the Field
The event featured a special showcase where players from the three league teams presented their new uniforms on the runway. This visual display added to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming season, highlighting the commitment of clubs to modernize and enhance their branding.
The 2025/26 Thai League season is set to begin next week, with the opening match of the top flight scheduled for August 15. Ratchaburi will face Kanchanaburi Power in this highly anticipated game. The season will conclude in June 2026, marking a full year of competitive action across the three divisions.
Buriram United’s Continued Presence at Chang Arena
Despite recent challenges regarding land rights, Buriram United has confirmed that it will continue to play all its home matches at Chang Arena for the upcoming season. The club’s decision comes after the Ministry of Interior issued an order revoking land rights over 5,000 rai, which were previously held by the club.
Pramulchai Noppasuwanwong, senior director of Asset Management and director of Marketing and Communications at Buriram United, stated, “Since the news broke, we have not been informed by the authorities about what to do. Therefore, I can confirm that Buriram United will play all of our home matches in the upcoming season at Chang Arena.”
Chang Arena, a FIFA-standard stadium, serves as more than just a home ground for the club. It plays a crucial role in the development of Thai football, supporting national and international events. The stadium also contributes significantly to the local economy, tourism, and the image of Buriram province.
Pramulchai emphasized that the issue extends beyond land management. “This problem is not only about the rights documents or land management but also the stability and potential of Buri Ram province as a model city for sports and cultural tourism in Thailand.”