The predecessor of Dalian Shide was the Dalian Football Club, which was formed in 1982 to replace the struggling Dalian Dockyards in the China Division 2 league.

The club was promoted to the top level in 1984, and professionalised in 1992. The club was renamed as Dalian Wanda in 1993 as Wanda Group became the main investor of the club.

The city of Dalian is known as “Football City” in China, due to the city producing a lot of famous Chinese players. Grassroots football is well developed in Dalian, and with huge investment in the game, Dalian quickly became a giant in the early years of Chinese professional Football.

The current owner of Dalian Shide is Chemical Industry Tycoon, Xu Ming, who bought the club from Wanda Group in 2000.