Country | Argentina |
---|---|
Confederation | CONMEBOL |
Founded | 1900 |
Number of teams | 20 |
Level on pyramid | 4 |
Promotion to | Primera B Metropolitana |
Relegation to | Primera D |
Domestic cup(s) | Copa Argentina |
Current champions |
Excursionistas (2016) |
Most championships | Colegiales (6 titles) |
TV partners | TyC Sports |
Website | Official |
2016 Primera C |
The Primera C is one of the two professional leagues that form the fourth level of the Argentine football league system. Primera C is made up of 20 clubs mainly from the city of Buenos Aires and its metropolitan area (Greater Buenos Aires).
The other league at level four is the Torneo Federal B, where teams from regional leagues take part.
Primera C is currently organised into two league tournaments, the Apertura (opening) and the Clausura (closing). Each team plays every other team once in the Apertura, and then once again at the reverse venue in the Clausura.
The winners of the two league titles are recognised as champions. However, the overall championship is decided with an end of season playoff. The overall champion is promoted to Primera B Metropolitana. The teams finishing 2nd to 8th enter a playoff series to determine which team will play in a promotion/relegation playoff against the 2nd lowest finishing team from Primera B Metropolitana.
The team that finishes with the worst aggregate points total is automatically relegated to Primera D. The team with the 2nd worst aggregate points total plays a promotion/relegation playoff with the winner of the Primera D playoff series. And the winner then competes in Primera C the following season.
Originally named "Tercera División" (third division), the first championship was held in 1900, being won by Buenos Aires English High School. With the creation of División Intermedia in 1911, the division became the fourth level.
In 1944 its name changed to "Primera Amateur", which lasted to 1962, when the tournament was renamed "Primera C", which has remained to date.
Since the new restructuring of the league system in 1985, the division has become the fourth category of Argentine football (lower than Primera División, Primera B Nacional and Primera B Metropolitana).