The history of professional football in Aghdam dates back to the mid-20th century. The 1950s are remembered as the period when football became more widespread and began to take an organized form in the city. This process accelerated following the opening of the first stadium in 1951. During those years, several teams represented the region under different names, reflecting the gradual development of football in the area.

After its establishment, the team initially competed under the name “Mehsul.” Qarabağ first participated in the Azerbaijani championship in 1966, finishing in 4th place. The club competed in the national league for four consecutive seasons.

During this period, the team achieved its best result in 1968, finishing in 2nd place. However, after 1968, due to a lack of support, the club was absent from national competitions for a long time. In 1977, the team was reestablished under the name “Shafaq” and competed in the second division of the Azerbaijani championship that same year. “Shafaq” remained the only representative of Aghdam football until 1982. From 1982 to 1987, the club competed under the name “Kooperator.”

The modern identity of Qarabağ Futbol Klubu was established in 1987, building on this historical foundation. Since then, the club has become one of the most prestigious and symbolic institutions in Azerbaijani football, representing both sporting success and regional heritage.

Qarabağ won its first Azerbaijani championship title in 1988, while the country was still part of the former USSR. Following this success, the team qualified for the second division of the Soviet championship. In 1989, Qarabağ competed in Zone 9 of the USSR championship. In 1990, due to structural changes in the Soviet league system, the club was required to participate in the Azerbaijani zonal competitions.

After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Azerbaijan established its independent football championship. Qarabağ is one of the few clubs to have participated in every season since then. However, the club faced difficult times during the early years of independence. Following the occupation of Aghdam in 1993, the team continued its activities as a “refugee club.” In the same year, Qarabağ won both the national championship and the Azerbaijan Cup, becoming the first club in the country’s history to achieve a “golden double,” and also lifting the Super Cup. Despite these successes, the club struggled with serious financial difficulties, which led to weaker performances between 1998 and 2001 and the departure of key players.

These problems were resolved in 2001 when one of Azerbaijan’s largest holding companies, Azersun Holding, took the team under its sponsorship. With the direct support of the company’s president, Abdulbari Gozal, the club’s financial issues were addressed, and former Qarabağ players returned to the squad. During this period, the club was renamed “Qarabağ-Azersun.” Although the team finished 9th in the 2001 season, preparations for future success were already underway. However, due to disruptions in Azerbaijani football, the 2001–2002 championship was left unfinished.

In 2003, structural changes were made within the club, and Tahir Gözel was appointed vice-president. His arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s history. As a result, Qarabağ returned to the podium in the 2003–2004 season, winning bronze medals.

Ahead of the 2004–2005 season, the club strengthened its ambitions by appointing experienced coach Igor Ponomaryov as head coach. The squad was reinforced with leading players, many of whom were members of the national team. In 2004, under Tahir Gözel’s initiative, the club restored its historic name “Qarabağ” and introduced a new crest designed in England, featuring the club’s iconic horse symbol. In 2006, under coach Boyukaga Aghayev, Qarabağ won the Azerbaijan Cup.

In August 2008, Qurban Qurbanov was appointed head coach, marking a new era in the club’s history. He won the Azerbaijan Cup in his first season. The team secured bronze medals in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons, and after finishing 4th the following year, won bronze again in 2012/13. In the 2013/14 season, Qarabağ ended its long wait for the championship title, beginning a period of dominance with consecutive league titles in 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20. The club also achieved three consecutive “golden doubles” between 2014 and 2017.

After finishing as runners-up in 2020/21, Qarabağ won both the league and the cup in 2021/22, earning a second star on its crest with its 10th championship title.

The 2023/24 season concluded with the club’s 6th “golden double.” Qarabağ has won the Azerbaijani championship 11 times and the national cup 8 times, setting records across all major domestic achievements.

The club also enjoyed success in the 2024/25 season, winning its 12th league title overall and securing its fourth consecutive championship.

On the international stage, Qarabağ has made history by qualifying for the main stages of UEFA club competitions 12 consecutive times. The club has participated in the UEFA Europa League 9 times, the UEFA Champions League twice, and the UEFA Conference League once. In the 2021/22 season, Qarabağ became the first Azerbaijani club to progress beyond the group stage of the Conference League, repeating the achievement the following year. In the 2023/24 Europa League campaign, Qarabağ finished second in its group, becoming the first Azerbaijani team to reach the knockout play-offs, and went on to qualify for the Round of 16.

In the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League group stage, Qarabağ faced European giants such as Chelsea (England), Atlético Madrid (Spain), and Roma (Italy), earning 2 points and gaining international recognition.

In the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase, Qarabağ played 8 matches, recording victories over Benfica, Copenhagen, and Eintracht, and a draw against Chelsea, collecting a total of 10 points. Finishing 22nd in the standings, the club advanced to the play-offs, achieving another historic milestone for Azerbaijani football.