The Jamaica Premier League, commonly abbreviated as JPL, officially known as the Wray and Newphew National Premier League for sponsorship reasons, is sanctioned by the Jamaican Football Federation as the top division for men's association football in Jamaica. Contested between 14 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Jamaica's Tier 2 where the two lowest placed teams are relegated to their corresponding local second division league. Most games are played on Sunday and Monday afternoons.
History
The Jamaica Premier League was formed in 1973 to serve as the top tier of Jamaican professional club football. The league's inaugural season kicked off on September 22, 1973 as the Kingston Major League, and finished with Santos F.C. as the first title winners. 14 different clubs have been crowned champions of Jamaica. With Portmore United F.C. being the most successful team with 7 national titles.
To date, the league has produced four Caribbean champions: Portmore United F.C. (2005, 2019) and Harbour View F.C. (2004, 2007).
As of the 2020 season, no team from the league has made it past the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League. The league has been more successful in the former CONCACAF League competition with both Portmore United F.C. (2018) and Waterhouse F.C. (2019) making it to the quarterfinals. The 2019–20 season was ruled null and void due to COVID-19 pandemic on March 12, 2020.
Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) began managing the Jamaica Premier League in 2020, with its focus being the commercialization and marketing of professional football in the country.
In May 2021, the Jamaican Football Federation announced that the Jamaica Premier League would resume, playing a shortened season between June and September, competed by the 12 teams from the previous season. In June 2021, UWI F.C. announced it would withdraw ahead of the 2021 season due to the modified schedule conflicting with other player commitments; leaving 11 teams in the competition.
In 2022 the JPL entered an agreement with admiral sportswear to supply kit to the league.
The Wray and Nephew Group, through its Campari brand, will replace Digicel as the new title sponsor of the Jamaican Premier League. Wray and Nephew last sponsored the league in 2002, and in 2006, they extended the contract until 2012. However, it ended abruptly in 2007 after they released the Jamaica Football Federation from its contract without penalty. As of the 2023–24 Jamaica Premier League season, they are making a return after 16 years.
Competition format
The Jamaica Premier League's regular season typically runs from late August to May the following year. Teams are organized into a single-table format and the competition is divided into three stages, with clubs playing each other once during each stage. Following the third stage (33 matches), the teams are divided into two groups based on point totals and enter the fourth round of league play. The top six clubs contend for the championship, with the bottom six teams fighting to avoid relegation. The bottom two finishers are replaced the next season by the top two finishers of the second division regional playoffs.
The top two finishers in a given season qualify for the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, a regional club tournament held each fall. A top-three finish in the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup is the only route for Jamaican teams to enter the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
2023–24 Clubs
A total of 14 teams contest the league in the current season.
Champions
Since the inaugural 1973-74 season, 14 teams have claimed the Jamaica Premier League title. As of 2022–23 season, Mount Pleasant F.A. are the reigning title holders, making this their first ever league title in history.
By Season
By Club
Note: No championship was awarded for the 1978–79, 1981–82, and 2019–20 seasons.
Source: RSSSF
Top scorers
Most goals by a player in a single season
25 goals
Christopher Nicholas (2004–05) Most goals by a player in a single game 10 goals Devon Hodges (Rivoli United F.C.) 15-0 against Invaders United, 29 May 2005.
All-time goalscorers
Source: JPL Statistics
Multiple hat-tricks
Premier League awards
At the conclusion of each season, the league presents several awards for outstanding achievements, mostly to players, but also coaches, referees, and commissioners.