2008–09 Israeli Premier League

Beitar Jerusalem were the defending champions, having won their 6th league title the previous year.

Two teams from Liga Leumit were promoted at the end of the previous season: Hakoah Amidar Ramat Gan and Hapoel Petah Tikva.

At a 24 June 2008 IFA administration meeting[1] it was decided that the league would be expanded to 16 clubs for the following season.

Due to the expansion, only one team was relegated directly to Liga Leumit, while five clubs were promoted.

Hapoel Kfar Saba and Maccabi Herzliya were relegated after finishing in the bottom two places in the 2007-08 season.