All PFL clubs also take part in the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the annual domestic cup competition.

In 2018, the PFL was briefly dissolved due to financial and logistical issues, with the Philippine Premier League (PPL) supplanting it.

[4] The task force was led by PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. and general secretary Edwin Gastanes, also composing of Filipino economist Bernie Villegas, UFL president Randy Roxas, AFC deputy general secretary and competition director Dato' Windsor John, Filipino FIFA official Domeka Garamendi, AFC kick-off program director Yogesh Desai, UFL commissioner Bonnie Ladrido, ABS-CBN's Dino Laurena, former PFF general secretary Cyril Dofitas and Gelix Mercader.

The PFF initially set a goal to launch the national league in two to three years from the inception of the task force.

[7] Nielsen was tasked by PFF, through funding from FIFA and AFC to conduct a study in 2015, where they identified 13 key localities throughout the Philippines as viable home venues for participating clubs in the PFL.

[1] By April 1, 2017, the PFF confirmed the participation of 8 clubs from - Ilocos United and Stallion Laguna from Luzon; JPV Marikina, Kaya–Makati (now Kaya–Iloilo) and Meralco Manila (now Loyola) from Metro Manila; Ceres–Negros (now United City) and Global Cebu (now Global FC) from the Visayas; Davao Aguilas from Mindanao.

[12] The program was started by economist and PFL Task Force Chairman, Bernardo Villegas and ended by PFF President Mariano Araneta.

The top four teams in the regular season advanced to the play-off round, dubbed as the "Final Series", to determine the champions of the league.

For the second season, the Final Series was scrapped due to the introduction of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the cup competition for the league.

[15] The number of clubs in the league was reduced from eight to six after the departure of Ilocos United (then converted to a grassroots association)[16] and FC Meralco Manila (that stayed active on a youth level ever since),[17][18] both due to lack of investment and sponsorship, while Kaya-Makati F.C.

[20] In late-2018, Triple CH led by Thailand-based Filipino businessman Bernie Sumayao became involved in the league and has entered talks with PFF chairman Mariano Araneta.

[25] The new format proceeded as planned, with Ceres–Negros claiming their third consecutive league title despite internal managerial struggles.

",[34][35] then proceeded to win their fourth title in a row, with Kaya F.C.-Iloilo finishing second despite remaining unbeaten and thus becoming the first club in PFL's history to do so.

An interview from the PFL commissioner Coco Torre revealed that there are talks for the next season to be reverted back into an inter-year format.

The Philippines Football League, along with the Copa Paulino Alcantara, is managed by the Pasig-based Liga Futbol Inc.[53][54][55] Singapore-based Red Card Global, a sports marketing agency has exclusive commercial rights to the PFL.

[10] Reportedly in April 2017, the franchise fee was pegged at $500,000 by the PFF which can be paid by member clubs within a period of five years.

The clubs were also required to have nicknames, crests, and colors based on the unique characteristics of their home locality.

The clubs' youth teams were required to participate in competitions organized by the Philippine Football Federation.

[68] The Qatar Airways sponsorship deal signed with the league in January 2020 included provisions to broadcast selected matches live on television.

[69] On October 15, during the virtual conference of the official launch of the 2020 PFL season, PFF President Mariano Araneta announced the partnership with One Play Sports as digital content partner.