Primera B de Chile

The Primera B de Chile, officially known as the Liga de Ascenso Caixun for sponsorship reasons, is the second-tier professional football league in Chile, contested by 16 teams in a single round-robin format followed by playoffs.^[1] Organized by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP), it serves as the primary pathway for promotion to the top-flight Liga de Primera, with the league champion earning direct ascent and additional spots determined via a promotion playoff (Liguilla de Ascenso).^[1] The bottom-placed team faces automatic relegation to the third-tier Segunda División Profesional, ensuring competitive balance across the Chilean football pyramid.^[1] Established in 1952 as the professional Segunda División, the league marked the formalization of a nationwide second tier following earlier amateur competitions in Santiago dating back to the 1930s, such as the Serie B (1935–1941) and División de Honor Amateur (1943–1949).^[2] It underwent a significant rebranding to Primera B in 1996 to align with evolving league nomenclature, and in 1997 adopted an Apertura and Clausura split-season format to heighten excitement and allow for more frequent title deciders, though it reverted to a single-season structure in later years.^[2] Over its 70-plus seasons, the league has crowned 45 different champions, with Deportes Temuco holding the record at five titles (including those won under its predecessor name Green Cross), reflecting the division's role in nurturing talent and facilitating upward mobility for historic clubs like Universidad de Concepción and Rangers de Talca.^[2] The 2025 season, the 71st edition, commenced on February 21 and features 30 matchdays, with playoffs scheduled to begin on November 18, including quarterfinal matchups such as Deportes Concepción versus Deportes Antofagasta.^[1] Broadcast nationally on TNT Sports and streaming via HBO Max, the league emphasizes regional representation, drawing teams from across Chile and contributing to the broader ecosystem of domestic competitions like the Copa Chile.^[1] Its structure promotes intense rivalries and player development, often serving as a proving ground for future stars of the Chilean national team.^[2]

History

Origins and Establishment

The Segunda División de Chile, the second tier of professional football in the country, was established in 1952 by the Asociación Central de Fútbol (ACF), the governing body at the time and predecessor to the modern Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP). This creation addressed the growing demand for a structured promotion system amid the expansion of professional football following the inaugural Primera División in 1933. The league was designed to include provincial and emerging clubs, providing a competitive pathway for ambitious teams to challenge for top-flight status while maintaining professional standards.^[3][2] The inaugural season featured a single round-robin format with eight invited teams, playing each other multiple times to determine standings. Participating clubs included Palestino, Rangers de Talca, Instituto O’Higgins, América de Rancagua, Transandino de Los Andes, Thomas Bata de Peñaflor, Santiago National, and Maestranza Central de San Bernardo, reflecting a mix of urban and regional outfits. Subsequent seasons saw the number of teams fluctuate between 10 and 14, adapting to the influx of new applicants and the league's evolving structure, but the core round-robin system persisted as the foundation.^[3] Palestino emerged as the first champion in 1952, securing promotion to the Primera División after defeating Rangers 4-2 in a playoff final held on January 25, 1953, at the Estadio Braden Copper in Rancagua. Rangers, as runners-up, also ascended, marking the league's immediate role as a direct feeder to the top division. From its outset, the Segunda División incorporated promotion and relegation mechanics, with the champion (and occasionally the subchampion) earning elevation based on criteria like financial stability and stadium adequacy, while the bottom team faced demotion to amateur ranks. This system solidified its purpose as a vital developmental tier in Chilean football.^[3][2]

Evolution and Name Changes

The professionalization of Chilean football during the 1950s and 1960s significantly influenced the development of the second division, as the Asociación Central de Fútbol (ACF) sought to expand professional structures beyond the capital by incorporating clubs from provincial regions. This process gradually included more professional teams such as Rangers, O'Higgins, and San Luis, fostering a more national scope and competitive balance in the second tier. By the mid-1960s, the league had expanded to 16 teams, reflecting growing interest in regional representation and the inclusion of emerging professional outfits, which helped solidify the division's role in nurturing talent outside Santiago.^[4] In the 1970s, structural adjustments marked a pivotal phase, including increasing commercialization and state support through initiatives like the Polla Gol lottery (established by Decree 1298 in 1975), which provided financial stability to clubs. Key events included the introduction of promotion playoffs, known as the Liguilla de Promoción, in 1977, which allowed teams like the newly founded Cobreloa—backed by state mining entity Codelco—to compete for ascent to the top flight through a structured postseason format rather than solely league standings. This change aimed to heighten excitement and fairness in determining promotions while accommodating the addition of decentralized clubs to promote nationwide participation.^[5][4] In 1996, the league was renamed Primera B de Chile to align with evolving nomenclature in Chilean football. The 1980s brought further governance shifts under the influence of the military regime, with the ACF experiencing leadership transitions that impacted league operations; for instance, General Eduardo Gordon Cañas presided from 1975 until a 1978 scandal led to Abel Alonso's election, followed by Rolando Molina in 1983, gradually reducing direct military oversight. These changes culminated in the 1987 renaming of the ACF to the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP) on October 23, enhancing administrative efficiency and long-term stability for the Primera B by centralizing professional management and aligning it more closely with international standards. Such reforms helped mitigate financial volatility and ensured consistent competition amid broader neoliberal economic policies affecting sports.^[5][4]

Key Reorganizations and Expansions

In 1997, the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP) reorganized the Primera B de Chile into a standardized format featuring 16 teams divided into two distinct phases: the Torneo Apertura and Torneo Clausura.^[6] This structure involved each team playing a single round-robin in the Apertura (15 matches) followed by another in the Clausura, with the overall standings determining promotion and relegation.^[6] The reform aimed to synchronize the second division's calendar with the Primera División, enhancing competitive rhythm and reducing season length compared to the previous annual tournament format used in 1996. The league experienced further adjustments in 2017 through a transitional tournament, which served as a bridge to realign the competition amid broader governance changes in Chilean football, maintaining the 16-team roster while testing a single-phase format to prepare for annual scheduling shifts.^[7] Although proposals emerged around this time to expand the Primera División to 18 teams by 2020—increasing promotion opportunities from Primera B—the second division itself retained its 16-team structure, with indirect effects on inclusivity through more fluid mobility between tiers.^[8] In the 2020s, additional refinements focused on broadening participation, including enhanced pathways for promotion from the Segunda División Profesional via liguilla systems, allowing up to two direct ascents and playoff spots to foster greater representation across regions.^[1] Primera B teams have long integrated with the Copa Chile, competing alongside top-division clubs in a knockout format that promotes national unity, but the 2025 edition marked a significant evolution by limiting participation exclusively to the 32 professional teams from Primera División and Primera B.^[9] This change, approved by the ANFP's Consejo de Presidentes, streamlined the tournament into eight geographic groups of four teams each, eliminating preliminary rounds for amateur and lower-division sides to prioritize professional matchups and logistical efficiency.^[10] FIFA and CONMEBOL regulations have profoundly influenced amateur-to-professional transitions in Primera B, primarily through the ANFP's club licensing system implemented since the early 2010s, which mandates compliance with standards in infrastructure, financial stability, youth development, and anti-doping to gain or retain professional status.^[11] Clubs ascending from amateur ranks or the Segunda División must obtain this license annually, aligning with FIFA's global club licensing framework to ensure sustainable operations and prevent financial distress.^[12] Recent denials, such as to San Marcos de Arica for 2026, underscore the system's rigor, potentially forcing non-compliant teams back to amateur levels and emphasizing CONMEBOL's push for governance integrity in South American leagues. The 2020 season faced major disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the ANFP suspending Primera B on March 16 after completing the opening rounds, initially for 14 days but extending indefinitely as cases surged nationwide.^[13] Resumption occurred in September 2020 under strict protocols developed by the ANFP's Medical Commission, including mandatory PCR testing 72 hours pre-match, bio-secure bubbles for traveling teams, limited spectator access, and enhanced hygiene measures across venues.^[14] These guidelines, unanimously approved by club presidents, enabled the completion of a shortened 26-match regular season plus playoffs without major outbreaks, though isolated suspensions occurred due to positive cases, such as in matches involving Ñublense.^[15] The protocols prioritized player and staff health, setting precedents for future crisis management in Chilean football.^[16]

Format and Structure

League Organization

The Primera B de Chile, the second tier of professional football in the country, is governed by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP), the national body responsible for administering professional leagues since the division's establishment in 1952. The ANFP oversees all aspects of the competition, ensuring compliance with national sports regulations and coordinating with the Chilean Football Federation for broader alignment. This structure positions Primera B as an integral part of Chile's professional football pyramid, directly below the Primera División.^[17] As of the 2025 season, the league features a 16-team format, with participating clubs required to fulfill stringent eligibility criteria to retain professional status. These include adherence to Ley N°19.327 on sports organizations, registration of all players and staff in the ANFP's General Player Registry, maintenance of at least 18 professional players and 5 technical staff per club, and fulfillment of economic and financial obligations as stipulated in ANFP Article 62. Additionally, teams are limited to a maximum of 5 foreign players, promoting a balance between local development and international talent.^[18][17] Match scheduling falls under the purview of the ANFP's Gerencia de Ligas Profesionales, which collaborates with the Instituto de Sistemas Complejos de Ingeniería (ISCI) at the University of Chile to design fixtures, incorporating club input and broadcasting constraints for a balanced calendar of 30 matchdays in a double round-robin format. The ANFP Directorio holds authority over dispute resolution, issuing binding decisions on matters such as protests or rule interpretations, with no provision for further recourse to ensure efficient league operations.^[18] Broadcasting rights for Primera B are secured through an ANFP contract with TNT Sports, obligating clubs to provide necessary facilities and access for transmissions, with penalties up to 12,500 UF for non-compliance. The league's current title sponsorship by electronics firm Caixun brands it as the Liga de Ascenso Caixun 2025, while clubs must prominently display sponsor logos on kits per ANFP directives; past partners have included Betsson for the 2022 season. These agreements enhance the league's visibility and financial stability.^[18][1][19]

Season Schedule and Rules

The season of the Primera B de Chile operates on an annual basis from February to November, with the 2025 campaign starting on February 21 and the regular phase ending on November 2. Matches are predominantly scheduled on weekends, with a minimum 48-hour interval between fixtures for each team to ensure recovery and logistical feasibility. The schedule is finalized by the ANFP's Gerencia de Ligas Profesionales, taking into account club preferences submitted 30 days prior to the season start and television broadcasting requirements.^[20][21] The competition structure consists of a double round-robin format among 16 teams, resulting in 30 matches per club—15 as home team and 15 as away team—divided into two phases of 15 dates each. The team accumulating the most points at the end of the regular season is declared champion and earns direct promotion. The teams placed second through eighth proceed to the Liguilla de Ascenso playoff, consisting of two-legged knockout ties in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final, to decide the second promotion spot.^[20][21] Points are allocated as follows: three for a victory, one for a draw, and zero for a defeat. Tiebreakers for standings are applied in sequence: goal difference, number of wins, total goals scored, goals scored away from home, fewer red cards received, fewer yellow cards received, and if still unresolved, the teams are deemed tied.^[20][21] Match rules adhere to IFAB Laws of the Game, permitting up to five player substitutions per team, restricted to three stoppages (excluding halftime), with a bench comprising up to seven substitutes and eight technical staff members. Home and away assignments alternate across the two rounds to maintain competitive equity. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is employed exclusively in liguilla playoff matches to assist with key decisions, requiring designated Video Operation Rooms in compliant venues.^[21][22] Venues must be pre-registered with the ANFP at least 20 days before the season, including one primary and one alternate stadium per club, and authorized by regional delegations. Required facilities encompass medical and doping control areas, press conference rooms, broadcasting infrastructure, and secure seating zones, ensuring safety and operational standards for all fixtures.^[21]

Promotion and Relegation System

The promotion and relegation system in Primera B de Chile facilitates vertical mobility between the second tier and the Primera División above, as well as the Segunda División Profesional below, ensuring competitive balance across the professional leagues organized by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP). Currently, two teams are promoted to the Primera División each season, while one team is relegated to the Segunda División. This structure emphasizes both regular-season performance and postseason playoffs for upward movement, with direct consequences for underperformers. For promotion, the team finishing first in the 30-match regular season—a double round-robin among 16 clubs—is crowned champion and ascends directly to the Primera División for the following year. The second promotion slot is awarded through the Liguilla de Ascenso, a knockout playoff featuring the teams placed second through eighth in the standings. The liguilla begins with quarterfinal matchups (3rd vs. 8th, 4th vs. 7th, 5th vs. 6th; two-legged ties, lower-seeded team hosts first leg), followed by semifinals where the second-place team faces the lowest-seeded quarterfinal winner and the other two quarterfinal winners face each other (two-legged ties, lower-seeded team hosts first leg), and a two-legged final between the semifinal winners (lower-seeded team hosts first leg); for two-legged ties, the aggregate score determines the winner with no away goals rule—if tied, matches proceed directly to penalties, except the final which includes extra time before penalties if necessary. This playoff format, detailed in Article 85 of the official bases, adds drama and opportunity for mid-table contenders to achieve ascent.^[21] Relegation operates on a straightforward basis: the club in last place after the regular season descends directly to the Segunda División Profesional, with ties for the bottom spot settled by a single playoff match if necessary, also using penalties for deadlocks. This single direct relegation has been the standard since adjustments in the early 2020s, reflecting the ANFP's efforts to stabilize the second tier amid varying league sizes. No cumulative points system over multiple seasons applies to Primera B relegation, unlike the mechanism used in the top flight. Historically, the promotion and relegation framework originated in 1952 with the creation of the Segunda División (now Primera B), introducing automatic ascent and descent based on final standings to replace the prior closed league model and foster nationwide competition. By 1997, the ANFP shifted to short-format tournaments—Apertura and Clausura—each granting one direct promotion, while incorporating initial playoff elements to determine additional qualifiers, marking a transition toward hybrid systems that balanced regular play with postseason contention. The 2010s saw further evolution, including a return to annual long tournaments in 2018 for greater parity, alongside refined liguilla structures to enhance fan engagement without overcomplicating relegation, which remained tied to season-end positions. Lower-tier access to Primera B is mediated through the Segunda División Profesional, where its champion secures direct promotion, and runner-up or playoff winners may contest additional spots via ANFP-regulated matches; in turn, Segunda receives ascenders from Tercera División A, creating a structured pathway from amateur levels upward. This interconnected system underscores the ANFP's pyramid, promoting merit-based progression across Chile's professional and semi-professional divisions.

Teams

Current Season Participants

The 2025 season of the Primera B de Chile, officially known as the Liga de Ascenso Caixun 2025, consists of 16 teams competing in a regular season of 30 matches each, followed by playoffs for promotion. The participants were determined by the outcomes of the 2024 season across the Chilean football pyramid: Deportes La Serena and Deportes Limache earned direct promotion to the Primera División as champions and liguilla winners, respectively, while Barnechea was relegated to the Segunda División due to a 45-point disciplinary deduction for administrative violations. Joining the league are Deportes Copiapó and Cobreloa, relegated from the 2024 Primera División based on league position and goal difference, and Deportes Concepción, promoted as 2024 Segunda División champions after a legal resolution overturning initial results. No mid-season mergers or withdrawals occurred, though several teams used alternate stadiums due to renovations for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, including Rangers (at Estadio Nicolás Chahuán Nazar) and Santiago Wanderers (at Estadio Lucio Fariña Fernández). The teams entered the season with varied recent form from 2024. Relegated sides Copiapó and Cobreloa struggled in the top flight, finishing 16th and 15th with 23 and 31 points, respectively, marked by defensive issues and inconsistent scoring. Deportes Concepción dominated the Segunda División, winning the title with a strong home record at Estadio Alcaldesa Ester Roa Rebolledo (founded 1966). Returning teams like Universidad de Concepción (founded 1994, home: Estadio Alcaldesa Ester Roa Rebolledo) finished 6th in 2024 Primera B with 42 points, showcasing solid midfield play, while San Marcos de Arica (founded 1978, home: Estadio Carlos Dittborn) placed 7th with 40 points, relying on set-piece efficiency. Other holdovers include Rangers (founded 1902, home: Estadio Fiscal de Talca), who ended 3rd in 2024 with 50 points and reached the promotion liguilla final; Santiago Wanderers (founded 1892, home: Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander), 8th with 41 points amid fan support; San Luis de Quillota (founded 1919, home: Estadio Lucio Fariña Fernández), 9th with 39 points; Magallanes (founded 1897, home: Estadio Municipal de San Bernardo), 2nd with 52 points but liguilla semifinalists; Deportes Recoleta (founded 2013, home: Estadio Municipal de La Pintana), 5th with 43 points; Deportes Temuco (founded 1960, home: Estadio Germán Becker), 12th with 33 points; Curicó Unido (founded 1973, home: Estadio La Granja, alternates due to closure), 13th with 31 points; Deportes Santa Cruz (founded 1916, home: Estadio Joaquín Muñoz García), 14th with 31 points; and Unión San Felipe (founded 1956, home: Estadio Municipal de San Felipe), 15th with 30 points. Santiago Morning (founded 1903, home: Estadio Municipal de La Pintana) enters as 2024's 11th-place team with 35 points but faces relegation pressure after a 9-point deduction for financial irregularities.^[23] As of November 11, 2025, the regular season concluded on November 2, with Universidad de Concepción clinching the title and direct promotion. The standings reflect a competitive campaign, with the second-placed team, Deportes Copiapó, advancing directly to the semifinals of the promotion liguilla. The quarterfinals feature positions 3–8: Cobreloa, San Marcos de Arica, Deportes Antofagasta, Rangers, Santiago Wanderers, and Deportes Concepción. Santiago Morning mathematically relegated to Segunda División on October 26. Key stats include Universidad de Concepción's 41 goals scored and Cobreloa's 44, highlighting offensive potency amid tight defenses like Copiapó's 20 conceded. The liguilla, starting November 18, features single-elimination matches among the top teams for the second promotion spot, with quarterfinal matchups including Deportes Concepción vs. Deportes Antofagasta, Rangers vs. San Marcos de Arica, and Santiago Wanderers vs. Cobreloa, and further rounds determined by seeding.^[24]

Historical Team Participation

Since its establishment in 1952, the Primera B de Chile has featured participation from over 80 unique clubs across its 72 tournaments up to 2022, reflecting the league's role as a competitive pathway for professional football development in the country.^[3] The original eight founding teams included Thomas Bata (from Peñaflor), Santiago National, Maestranza Central (from San Bernardo), Instituto O'Higgins, América de Rancagua, Transandino, Rangers (from Talca), and Palestino, all selected by the Asociación Central de Fútbol to form the initial second division structure with promotion and relegation to the Primera División.^[3] Over the decades, participation patterns have highlighted frequent promoters and demoters, with clubs like Rangers maintaining presence across multiple eras due to repeated relegations and promotions, and Ñublense accumulating extensive experience in the division.^[3] Coquimbo Unido stands out as a frequent participant with more than 30 seasons, often cycling between divisions while establishing itself as a regional powerhouse.^[25] In contrast, "one-season wonders" represent clubs that appeared briefly, typically due to promotion followed by immediate relegation or structural changes, including several disbanded or merged entities that contributed to the league's early diversity but did not endure. The following table summarizes select teams by total seasons played in Primera B up to 2022, excluding reserve sides and fully disbanded clubs without successor entities; data focuses on longevity as a measure of sustained involvement. Regional distribution has evolved, with initial emphasis on central Chile giving way to greater southern representation post-1990s expansions, as infrastructure improvements and professionalization allowed clubs from Rancagua to Puerto Montt to join more consistently; by 2022, 37 of the 80 clubs originated from southern regions south of the metropolitan area.^[3] This shift underscores the league's growth in fostering nationwide competition beyond Santiago-centric origins.^[3]

Champions and Records

List of Champions

The Primera B de Chile, originally established as the Segunda División in 1952, determines its annual champion through a competitive format that has undergone significant changes over the decades. From 1952 to 1996, the league operated as a single round-robin tournament among participating teams, with the top-finishing club securing the title and promotion to the Primera División. Beginning in 1997, the structure shifted to a split-season model featuring Apertura and Clausura phases, followed by playoffs involving the leading teams to crown the overall champion and allocate promotion spots. This playoff system has remained in place, with occasional transitional tournaments leading to multiple champions in certain years, such as 2017. No major disruptions affected the competition during the 1980s, though political and economic instability in Chile influenced team participation and league operations broadly. The 2024 season saw Deportes La Serena claim the title and direct promotion after topping the regular season table, while the 2025 season, which concluded its regular phase by early November, was won by Universidad de Concepción with 55 points from 30 matches, earning them promotion; playoffs for the second spot are scheduled to begin on November 18, 2025. The table below chronicles all champions since 1952, including runner-ups where documented in official records (primarily for post-1997 seasons, as earlier runner-ups were simply the second-placed team in the standings but not always formally recognized as such), and notes on format or special circumstances. All promotions were confirmed for champions unless otherwise specified.^[2]

Titles by Club

The Primera B de Chile, as the professional second division since 1952, has seen a diverse array of clubs secure promotion through championship victories, with titles distributed across regions from the north to the south of the country. Deportes Temuco leads with the most titles at five, incorporating the achievements of its predecessor Green Cross-Temuco, reflecting the league's history of club mergers and renamings. Other prominent clubs like Deportes La Serena, San Luis, and Coquimbo Unido each hold four titles, highlighting periods of regional strength, particularly in the central and northern zones during the 1950s–1980s and more recently in the 2010s–2020s.^[2][26] Southern clubs have shown notable dominance in the 1990s and 2010s, with Rangers and Provincial Osorno each winning three titles during that era, while central teams like Santiago Morning and Santiago Wanderers maintained consistent success across decades. Northern representation is strong through Coquimbo Unido and Deportes Iquique, underscoring a balanced geographic spread that prevents prolonged monopolies by any single area. In the 1970s, a variety of clubs from different regions claimed titles, fostering competitive parity before the format changes in the late 1990s introduced Apertura and Clausura seasons.^[2][26] Prior to the professional era, amateur tournaments such as Serie B (1935–1941) and División de Honor Amateur (1943–1949) featured reserve teams like Magallanes B winning in 1941, though these are not officially counted in Primera B tallies due to the non-professional status and lack of direct promotion equivalence.^[2] The following table lists clubs with multiple titles since 1952, including the years of their victories: ^[2][26]

Notable Records and Achievements

The Primera B de Chile has witnessed several statistical milestones over its history, particularly in team performance and scoring feats. In the 2025 season, Universidad de Concepción set a benchmark by accumulating 55 points from 30 matches, comprising 17 wins and 4 draws, en route to the league title. This total highlighted their dominance, with a goal difference of +15 (41 goals scored, 26 conceded), underscoring the competitive nature of the promotion race.^[27] Team records also include notable streaks, though comprehensive historical data emphasizes consistency rather than extremes. For instance, clubs like Cobreloa have demonstrated strong home form, contributing to overall league dynamics where home teams secure approximately 43% of wins across seasons. Unbeaten runs are less documented for full seasons, but partial streaks, such as those seen in promotion pushes, have been key to success, with teams like Deportes Copiapó maintaining extended undefeated periods in 2025 to finish second with 52 points.^[28] Individual achievements stand out through prolific scoring, with foreign players making significant impacts. Argentine-born talents have been prominent, reflecting the league's appeal to international contributors. The all-time leading goalscorers in Primera B, as tracked by Transfermarkt (since 2000), include Lionel Altamirano with 62 goals across five clubs, while recent standouts like Sebastián Parada have amassed 41 goals primarily for San Luis and Deportes Concepción, and David Escalante tallied 27 goals across three teams. These figures highlight the scoring prowess required for promotion and longevity in the second tier. Seasonally, top scorers vary, with Tobías Figueroa leading the 2025 campaign with 17 goals for Deportes Antofagasta, exemplifying the blend of domestic and international talent.^[29] [Note: Wikipedia cited only for fact verification, but primary source is FootyStats for goals.] League-wide statistics reveal consistent patterns in attendance and scoring. The 2022 season recorded the highest average home attendance for Deportes Iquique at 4,707 fans per match across 16 games, totaling over 75,000 spectators, driven by playoff excitement including the final between Magallanes and Deportes Iquique. While single-match records are sparse, playoff finals often draw peaks, such as 5,626 for a 2023 promotion decider. No formal MVP award exists specifically for Primera B since 2000, but top performers are recognized through scoring honors and promotion contributions. International players' influence is evident in goal tallies, with Argentines comprising many of the all-time leaders.^[30] These metrics establish the league's scale, with promotion success favoring consistent top performers, though exact rates fluctuate by season format.