New CSL season starts in March 2, 2018

some new rules applied

club could register 27 players, includes 4 foreigner slots

each club can register a Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan player of Chinese descent (excluding goalkeepers), provided that he registered as a professional footballer in one of those three association for the first time, as a native player.

clubs could have three foreigners starting per match,clubs who fields foreign players must have the equivalent number of Chinese under-23 players on the pitch at the same time.

the CFA (Chinese Football Association) had expand the third tier professional league, China League two to 28 clubs this season, and 32 clubs next season, games plays in two conference, Northern and Southern.

the CFA also announces based on the current Chinese FA Ameturish League, the forth level of the professional system officially starts from 2018, with the name Chinese Football Association Member Association Champions League (CMCL).

In November 17, 2017, CFA Vice-President Li Yuyi had explained the expansion plan of Chinese professional league system, according to the project, the top Level CSL will have 18 clubs, with China League one expand to 20 clubs, follows by China League two, 32 clubs, and the forth level, now reband as CMCL, with 48 clubs at most

Meanwhile the 2018 Chinese FA Cup is opened to 92 clubs, with 72 clubs entering competition proper, the 2017 edition involves 76 clubs, with 64 clubs in competition proper, 668,674 spectators in 70 matches, average attendance reaches 9,552

Last season The CSL has a average attendance of 23,766, for lower league, CL1 averages 7,739, CL2 averages 2,534

In Comparasion, the stats of english football in 16/17 is 35,821 for EPL, 20,125 for EFL Championship, 7,576 for EFL League one and 4,751 for EFL League two