Liga 1, formerly known as Divizia A, is the top professional football division in Romania. Its history dates back to 1909, making it one of the oldest leagues in Eastern Europe. The first official championship was played in 1909–1910, and it originally featured a small number of teams from Bucharest and surrounding regions. Over the decades, the league expanded and became more structured, eventually evolving into a national competition.

In the early years, clubs from Bucharest such as Venus and Chinezul Timișoara were among the dominant forces. Chinezul notably won six consecutive titles in the 1920s, setting a national record that still stands. After World War II, the league underwent significant changes under the communist regime. Teams were often associated with government institutions or industries, and club names reflected political influences.

Steaua București, originally founded as the army’s team, and Dinamo București, associated with the police, became the most prominent and successful clubs, especially during the communist era. Their rivalry defined Romanian football for decades, with both teams regularly competing for the title. Steaua's greatest achievement came in 1986 when they won the European Cup, becoming the first Eastern European club to do so.