About Primera Nacional
History, Format, Organization, Media Coverage
Primera B Nacional, also known as Primera Nacional, is the second football division in Argentina. The tournament is organized by the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA) and was first played in 1986, being preceded by the Torneo Nacional.
The league operates under a promotion-relegation system. With a changing format over the years, usually there are two promoted teams from the Primera B Nacional to the Argentine Primera División. On the other hand, the league can relegate up to three teams after each season, although at least two teams are usually relegated to regional competitions that belong to the third football division in this country.
The league is played by 38 teams every season, which are divided into two groups of 19. All clubs face their group rivals twice each season, resulting in the Zona A or Zona B final standings. The winner of each Zone gets the right to play for the title in a single-leg final at a neutral venue. The winner gets promoted to the Primera División.
The top 14 teams across both zones enter a playoff stage where seven single-leg fixtures are held. The seven winners advance to the final round, where they are joined by the loser of the regional final. Once there, all teams are ranked according to their performance in the regular season and go on to play two-leg playoffs, with the highest-ranked team hosting the return leg and having an edge in case the aggregate is tied after both legs. The quarter-finals and the semi-finals are played as two-legged ties, leaving the final match to be played at a neutral venue. The winner also gets promoted to the Primera División.
Over the years, the Primera B Nacional has featured some illustrious guests, but none of them as notable as River Plate. The Argentine giants spent one season in the league following their relegation in 2011, only to get promoted in 2012 after a season where they earned 73 points. Other historic clubs forced to play in this league division include Argentino Juniors, Rosario Central, and Talleres de Córdoba. The most winning team in Primera B history is Banfield, who has won three titles in this division.
