Shan United

As Kanbawza (2003–2015)

Kanbawza was founded in 2003, played as an amateur club in the Myanmar Premier League, the highest football league in Myanmar at the time. The club won the 2007 Myanmar Premier League title and participated in the AFC President's Cup 2008. Kanbawza was a founding member of the Myanmar National League, which succeeded the Myanmar Premier League in 2009. In the process, the club changed its status from amateur to professional, and changed its home base from Yangon to Taunggyi. In its first-ever professional match, Kanbawza won by 3 goals over Okktha United. Kanbawza finished fourth in the league's inaugural cup competition, the Myanmar National League Cup 2009. In February 2010, Khin Maung Kyaing took control as the club chief executive officer. In 2012, it finished the league as runners-up.

In 2013, Kanbawza won their first major honours after Singaporean head coach, P. N. Sivaji guided them to win the 2013 Myanmar National League Cup after a 1–0 win over Magwe in the final.

As Shan United (2015–present)

In 2015, Kanbawza changed its name to Shan United. The club went on to win their first professional piece of silverware, winning both the 2017 Myanmar National League title and the 2017 General Aung San Shield, thus qualifying for the 2018 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs. They played against Ceres–Negros of Philippines but lost and bowed down to the 2018 AFC Cup group stage, finishing last. However, the club managed to get their first win in the 2018 edition winning 2–1 against Cambodian club Boeung Ket Angkor. Shan United went on to become back to back league champions in 2019 and 2020, winning the 2019 and 2020 MFF Charity Cup. Shan United went on to win the 2022 Myanmar National League undefeated, qualifying to the 2023–24 AFC Cup.

In 2024, Shan United qualified to the inaugural 2024–25 AFC Challenge League and also the revived 2024–25 ASEAN Club Championship. They won over Bruneian club Kasuka 4–2 on aggregate to qualify for the group stage, being placed alongside Indonesian PSM Makassar, Vietnamese Đông Á Thanh Hóa, Malaysian Terengganu, Cambodian Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng and Thailand BG Pathum United. Shan United and Đông Á Thanh Hóa played the opening match of the tournament at the Thanh Hóa Stadium. Moussa Bakayoko scored the first goal of the tournament in the fifth minute, however Shan United went on to lose 3–1 against the Vietnamese side. Shan United then hosted the AFC Challenge League group D with Taiwanese Tainan City and Laotian Young Elephants. Shan United managed to top the group, beating Young Elephants 2–0 and drawing 2–2 with Tainan City. In the quarter-finals they faced Cambodian side Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng. Shan United went on to retain their third consecutive league title after winning the 2024–25 Myanmar National League. The club qualified to the 2025–26 AFC Challenge League group stage and the 2025–26 ASEAN Club Championship play-off.