Chinese Football League 1, or China League One, is the second-highest division in the Chinese football league system, serving as the crucial gateway between the elite Super League and the lower professional tiers. The league was established as part of the professionalization of Chinese football and is headquartered in Beijing. The competition format typically involves 16 clubs playing a double round-robin schedule, with the top teams earning promotion to the CSL and the bottom sides facing relegation to China League Two. While it lacks the star power and massive commercial reach of its top-flight counterpart, League One is a fiercely competitive battleground where clubs fight for financial survival and sporting prestige. The league champion and runner-up are awarded promotion, and individual honors such as the Golden Boot for top scorer are highly prized by players looking to make their mark.