Founded | 1969 |
---|---|
Country | El Salvador |
Confederation | CONCACAF |
Number of teams | 12 |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | Segunda División |
Domestic cup(s) | Copa El Salvador |
League cup(s) | The League |
International cup(s) | Concachampions League |
Current champions |
Santa Tecla © (2015–16 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional season) |
Most championships | FAS (17 titles) |
Website | www.primerafutboles.com |
2017–18 Primera División de Fútbol Profesional season |
The Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Professional Football League), more commonly known as La Liga Mayor or La Primera, is the top professional football league in El Salvador.
It was established in 1969, and in 2011 had 10 clubs. Initially the league was run as a year-long tournament, but since 1998 there are two tournaments each year, much like in many other football leagues in the Americas.
The Apertura season runs from August to December, while the Clausura season runs from February to July.
La Liga Mayor follows the usual double round-robin format.
During the course of a given season (Apertura or Clausura), each club plays every other club twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 18 games.
Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, with the top four clubs at the end of the season progressing through to the finals.
If points are equal between two or more clubs, goal difference usually determines their placement.
Although when it comes to qualifying for the finals, if the team in fourth and fifth spot are equal on points, then a Repechaje or Playoff is needed to determine which team gains entry into finals.
A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Primera División and the Segunda División.
In May each year, at the conclusion of both the apertura and clausura seasons, the team with the least amount of points on aggregate over both seasons, is automatically relegated to the Segunda División, while the team with the second least amount of points must participate in a Repechaje or Playoff with the runner-up of the Segunda División.