Colombia - Primera A

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The Categoría Primera A is the top-tier football category in Colombia. This league, which is also known as Liga Águila for sponsorship reasons, is considered to be one of the most competitive in South American, mainly due to the success their teams have experienced in CONMEBOL competitions. The league was founded 71 years ago and is played year in and year out by 20 teams.

This league works on a relegation-promotion system. The two worst teams in the Primera A will be relegated to the Primera División B. Their spot is awarded to the champion and the runners-up of the Primera B.

Contrary to what happens in Europe, there are two tournaments played every year in Colombia. The first one is called Torneo Apertura, which starts in January and comes to an end in June. The second tournament is called Finalización; it starts in July and concludes in December.

Relegation in the Colombian league is determined year in and year out by the “Tabla de promedio” (Average standings), which is obtained by dividing the amount of points earned between the number of games played. Two teams with the lowest average will be relegated to the Primera B.

Each tournament consists of 20 games. All teams will face each of their rivals at least once, and the Colombian Federation added a “Semana de Clásicos” match to complete all 20 games. The eight-best clubs will be divided into two groups of four, where they will play six more games. The top-ranked clubs in each group will play the title match.

Added to the championship, the Colombian top-flight hands out eight spots for continental competitions. Four of those give entry to play the Copa Libertadores, while four more are handed to play the Copa Sudamericana. The winners of each tournament, along with the team that earns the most points and the winners of the Colombian Cup enter the Libertadores, while the four top-ranked teams that are not involved in the aforementioned tournament will get to play the Sudamericana.

The last tournament to be played in this league was the Apertura 2019, which saw Junior Barranquilla claim the title by beating Deportivo Pasto. The torneo Finalización will be played from July 13, 2019, to December 8, 2019.

Did you know? Atlético Nacional is the most winning club in Colombian top-fkight history, with 16 titles to their name. The team from Antioquía, along with Independiente Santa Fe and Millonarios de Bogotá, are the only clubs in history never to be relegated to the Primera B category.