The 2008–09 Liga Leumit season began on 29 August 2008 and ended on 29 May 2009. Two teams from Liga Artzit were promoted at the end of the previous season: Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata along with two teams relegated from Israeli Premier League: Maccabi Herzliya and Hapoel Kfar Saba.The two teams relegated to Liga Artzit were Hapoel Nazareth Illit and Hapoel Rishon LeZion.