The Croatian First Football League, known as the Hrvatska nogometna liga or HNL, is the top tier of professional football in Croatia. Since its formation following independence in 1992, it has been dominated by the fierce rivalry between Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split, with the former establishing a modern-era stronghold on the title. The league operates on a double round-robin format, after which the table splits into championship and relegation groups for a final series of matches. Renowned as one of Europe's most prolific talent factories, the HNL has produced world-class players like Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, and Joško Gvardiol. Winning the league grants entry to the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, a significant financial and sporting incentive. The HNL is characterized by intense fan culture, technical quality, and its crucial role in supplying talent to the Croatian national team.