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Primera C Metropolitana
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| Founded | 1900 [1] |
|---|---|
| Country |  Argentina |
| Confederation | CONMEBOL |
| Number of clubs | Various |
| Level on pyramid | 4 |
| Promotion to | Primera B Metropolitana |
| Relegation to | Torneo Promocional Amateur |
| Domestic cup | Copa Argentina |
| Current champions | Camioneros (2025) |
| Most championships | Colegiales (7 titles) |
| Broadcaster(s) | DirecTV Sports DeporTV |
| Website | afa.com.ar/primera-c |
| Current: 2025 | |
The Primera C Metropolitana is one of the two professional leagues that form the fourth level of the Argentine football league system. Primera C Metropolitana 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.
Format
[edit]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 Metropolitana the following season.
History
[edit]Originally named "Tercera División" (second level), the first championship was held in 1900, being won by Alumni (still under the "English High School" name).[1] With the creation of División Intermedia in 1911, the division became the fourth level behind Segunda División.[2] It lasted until 1932 when the Intermedia was suppressed and Tercera División became the 3rd. division/level again since the 1933 season.
In 1944 its name changed to "Primera Amateur", which lasted to 1962, when the tournament was renamed "Primera C",[3] 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).
Division levels
[edit]Since its inception in 1899 as "Tercera División", the Primera C has changed levels (between 3 and 4) and names several times. The table below shows them in details:[1][2][4][5]
| Year | Level | Promotion to | Relegation to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900–1910 | 3 |
Segunda División | (None) [note 1] |
| 1911–1932 | 4 |
Segunda División (1911–26) Intermedia (1927–32) |
(None) [note 1] |
| 1933–1985 | 3 |
Primera B | (None) (1933–49) [note 1] Primera D (1950–85) |
| 1986–2022 | 4 |
Primera B Metro | Primera D |
| 2023 | 4 |
Primera B Metro | (None) [note 2] |
| 2024 | 4 |
Primera B Metro | Disaffiliation for one season |
| 2025 | 4 |
Primera B Metro | Torneo Promocional Amateur |
Current teams (2025 season)
[edit]| Club | City (venue) | Area / region | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentino | Rosario | Santa Fe Province | José María Olaeta |
| Atlas | General Rodríguez | Buenos Aires Province | Ricardo Puga |
| Berazategui | Berazategui | Greater Buenos Aires | Norman Lee |
| Cañuelas | Cañuelas | Buenos Aires Province | Jorge Arin |
| Central Ballester | José L. Suárez | Greater Buenos Aires | Predio Cacique |
| Central Córdoba | Rosario | Santa Fe Province | Gabino Sosa |
| Centro Español | Villa Sarmiento | Greater Buenos Aires | (none) |
| Claypole | Claypole | Buenos Aires Province | Rodolfo Capocasa |
| Defensores de Cambaceres | Ensenada | Buenos Aires Province | Defensores de Cambaceres |
| Deportivo Camioneros | 9 de Abril | Greater Buenos Aires | Hugo Moyano |
| Deportivo Español | Buenos Aires | (autonomous city) | Nueva España |
| Deportivo Paraguayo | González Catán | Greater Buenos Aires | Deportivo Paraguayo |
| El Porvenir | Gerli | Greater Buenos Aires | Gildo Ghersinich |
| Estrella del Sur | Alejandro Korn | Buenos Aires Province | Lorenzo Arandilla |
| General Lamadrid | Buenos Aires | (autonomous city) | Enrique Sexto |
| Ituzaingó | Ituzaingó | Greater Buenos Aires | Carlos Sacaan |
| Justo José de Urquiza | El Libertador | Greater Buenos Aires | Ramón Roque Martín |
| Juventud Unida | Muñiz | Greater Buenos Aires | Ciudad de San Miguel |
| Leandro N. Alem | General Rodríguez | Buenos Aires Province | Leandro N. Alem |
| Lugano | Tapiales | Greater Buenos Aires | José María Moraños |
| Luján | Luján | Buenos Aires Province | Municipal de Luján |
| Mercedes | Mercedes | Buenos Aires Province | Liga Mercedina, |
| Muñiz | Muñiz | Greater Buenos Aires | (none) |
| Puerto Nuevo | Campana | Buenos Aires Province | Rubén Vallejos |
| Sportivo Barracas | Buenos Aires | (autonomous city) | (none) |
| Victoriano Arenas | Valentin Alsina | Greater Buenos Aires | Saturnino Moure |
| Yupanqui | Ciudad Evita | Greater Buenos Aires | Ciudad Evita |
List of champions
[edit]Titles by club
[edit]| Club | Titles | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| Colegiales | 7 |
1913, 1914,[note 8] 1947, 1955, 1992–93, 2002–03, 2007–08 |
| Villa Dálmine | 5 |
1963, 1975, 1982, 1995–96,[note 9] 2011–12 |
| Estudiantes (BA) | 4 |
1903, 1904,[note 3] 1942, 1966 |
| Sportivo Alsina | 4 |
1932, 1933, 1936, 1941 |
| Defensores de Belgrano | 4 |
1953, 1958, 1972, 1991–92 |
| San Telmo | 4 |
1949, 1956, 1961, 2015 |
| Alumni | 3 |
1900, 1901, 1905 [note 3] |
| Racing | 3 |
1911, 1919 AAm, 1929 |
| Boca Juniors | 3 |
1912, 1915, 1923 [note 3] |
| Platense | 3 |
1923 AAm, 1924 AAm, 1926 AAm [note 3] |
| Argentino (Q) | 3 |
1945, 1988–89, 2018–19 |
| Barracas Central | 3 |
1944, 1948, 2009–10 |
| Comunicaciones | 3 |
1968, 1969, 2004–05 |
| Central Córdoba | 3 |
1952, 1973, 1987–88 |
| El Porvenir | 2 |
1943, 1954 |
| Sportivo Italiano | 2 |
1962, 1974, 2013–14 |
| All Boys | 2 |
1946, 1950 |
| Berazategui | 2 |
1989-90, 1996–97 |
| Deportivo Español | 2 |
1960, 1979 |
| Cambaceres | 2 |
1990-91, 1998–99 |
| Laferrere | 2 |
1986-87, 2001–02 |
| Deportivo Merlo | 2 |
1999-00, 2005–06 |
| Deportivo Morón | 2 |
1959, 1980 |
| Excursionistas | 2 |
2016, 2023 |
| Talleres (RE) | 2 |
1970, 1978 |
| Banfield | 1 |
1908 |
| Ferro Carril Oeste | 1 |
1909 |
| Huracán | 1 |
1920 [note 3] |
| Estudiantil Porteño | 1 |
1920 AAm |
| Almagro | 1 |
1921 AAm |
| Liberal Argentino | 1 |
1928 [note 3] |
| Arsenal | 1 |
1964 |
| Almirante Brown | 1 |
1965 |
| Lanús | 1 |
1981 |
| Argentino (R) | 1 |
1983 |
| San Miguel | 1 |
1984 |
| Defensa y Justicia | 1 |
1985 |
| Deportivo Laferrere | 1 |
1986–87 |
| Cambaceres | 1 |
1990–91 |
| UAI Urquiza | 1 |
2012–13 |
| Sacachispas | 1 |
2016–17 |
| Defensores Unidos | 1 |
2017–18 |
| Cañuelas | 1 |
2020 |
| Dock Sud | 1 |
2021 |
| Argentino (M) | 1 |
2022 |
| Real Pilar | 1 |
2024 |
| Camioneros | 1 |
2025 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c No fourth division or level existing then.
- ^ No relegation because the category was unified with the Primera D in a single tournament.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw As the senior squad was competing in Primera División by then, the club participated with reserve teams.
- ^ The Federación Argentina de Football (FAF) was a dissident association that organized its own championships from 1912 to 1914.
- ^ The Liga Argentina de Football (LAF) was a dissident professional association that organized its own championships from 1931 to 1934, when it merged with official body, Asocación Argentina de Football.
- ^ a b No champion crowned. The winners of Zona A (Liniers) and Zona B (Comunicaciones) qualified to "Reclasificatorio de Primera B".[7]
- ^ The club's name was "Libertarios Unidos".
- ^ The club had renamed to "Atlético Campana" during those years, switching to its original name in 2000.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Tercera División - Campeones on AFA website (Archived 13 Ago 2013)
- ^ a b Cuarta División - Campeones on AFA (archived, 13 Aug 2013)
- ^ Historia y Fútbol, 1963 by José Carluccio
- ^ a b Argentina - Third Level Champions by Osvaldo Gorgazzi at the RSSSF
- ^ a b Argentina - Fourth Level Champions by Osvaldo Gorgazzi at the RSSSF
- ^ The Asociación Amateurs de Football (AAm) was a dissident association that organized its own championships from 1919 to 1926.
- ^ "Argentina: 1ra. "C" AFA 1967 Zona "A"" by José Carluccio, 14 Oct 2009
- ^ Oficial: suspendido el fútbol argentino por el coronavirus by Fede González on As, 17 Mar 2020
External links
[edit]
| Associations |
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National teams | |||||
| League system |
| ||||
| Domestic cups | |||||
| Rivalries | |||||
| Lists | |||||
| Youth | |||||
| Women's |
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| Related topics | |||||
| Categories | |||||
Primera C Metropolitana
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
League Format
Competition Structure
The Primera C Metropolitana operates as the fourth division in the Argentine football league system, contested by amateur clubs primarily from the Greater Buenos Aires area.[1] For the 2025 season, the league features 27 participating teams, divided into two zones: Zone A with 13 teams and Zone B with 14 teams, reflecting recent expansions and a unified format to accommodate the increased number of clubs.[5] Each zone conducts a double round-robin tournament, where teams play every opponent within their group twice—once at home and once away—resulting in 24 matches per team in Zone A and 26 matches per team in Zone B.[5][2] Points are awarded as follows: 3 for a victory, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a defeat. Tiebreakers for teams level on points prioritize goal difference, then total goals scored; if still tied, a playoff match may be scheduled as per league regulations.[5] The season commences with the zone phase on March 8, 2025, spanning 13 matchdays through May 31, followed by the second round starting June 21, and concluding in November 2025. The top team from each zone qualifies for a two-legged playoff final, with the aggregate winner crowned league champion; ties after regulation are decided by penalty shootout.[5][2]Promotion and Relegation
The promotion and relegation system in Primera C Metropolitana ensures competitive balance across the Argentine football pyramid by allowing top-performing teams to ascend to Primera B Metropolitana while requiring underperformers to descend to lower divisions. The overall champion, determined through the zone phases and a final playoff between zone winners, earns automatic promotion to Primera B Metropolitana.[5][2] The 2nd to 7th placed teams from each zone, plus the loser of the championship final, qualify for a playoff tournament known as the Reducido, where the winner earns direct promotion to Primera B Metropolitana. This format emphasizes sustained performance across the season's zone tournaments while providing an opportunity for mid-table teams to challenge for elevation.[2] Relegation involves a single match on neutral ground between the last-placed team of Zone A (13th) and Zone B (14th). The winner remains in Primera C Metropolitana. The loser then plays a two-legged promotion/relegation playoff against the champion of the Torneo Promocional Amateur; the loser of this tie is relegated to the Torneo Promocional Amateur. This mechanism combines zone performance with a chance for redemption through postseason play.[5][6]History
Establishment and Early Years
The Tercera División was established in 1900 by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) as the third tier of the country's football pyramid, dedicated exclusively to amateur clubs from the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.[7] This founding marked an expansion of organized competitive football beyond the top two divisions, providing an outlet for emerging amateur sides and reserve teams seeking structured competition. The league's creation reflected the rapid growth of the sport in Argentina during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by British expatriates and local enthusiasts in urban centers. The inaugural season featured a modest field of amateur participants, primarily junior or third teams from established institutions, with English High School III emerging as the first champions after a round-robin format.[7] Subsequent early years saw varied winners, including Alumni III in 1901 and 1905, Lomas Juniors in 1902, and others such as Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima in 1906, highlighting the competitive involvement of Buenos Aires-based clubs. By the late 1900s, the division had expanded to incorporate additional amateur outfits from Greater Buenos Aires, fostering broader regional participation and underscoring football's deepening roots in suburban communities. A pivotal development occurred in 1909 with the introduction of the league's first relegation system, which formalized movement between divisions and encouraged competitive standards.[7] This was followed in 1911 by official recognition as the national third division, solidifying its status within the AFA's hierarchy despite the addition of an intermediate level that briefly altered its positioning. Throughout the 1910s, the league maintained its amateur character, with championships contested annually among a growing pool of metropolitan teams. The 1920s brought a gradual shift toward semi-professionalism, as increasing attendance and sponsorships allowed some clubs to offer modest payments to players while retaining amateur governance structures.[7] However, financial strains plagued many smaller outfits, leading to several dissolutions and mergers amid economic pressures and inconsistent funding in the pre-professional era. Notable examples included the folding of minor Buenos Aires clubs unable to sustain operations, which reshaped the league's composition by the end of the decade and paved the way for further structural evolution.Name Changes and Reorganizations
With the onset of professional football in Argentina in 1931 under the auspices of the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA), the existing amateur league structure was overhauled, positioning the Tercera División—originally established in the early 1900s—as the third tier by 1933 after the suppression of the intermediate division, which facilitated an influx of promoted teams to support the expanded professional pyramid.[8] Subsequent reorganizations marked further evolution. In 1949, the AFA restructured its tournaments, relegating several third-level clubs to a new fourth tier while merging others, though this was short-lived as the levels were recombined in 1951; the league retained its Tercera División name until 1949 and then became known as Primera Amateur from 1950 to 1961.[8] The league was designated as Primera C starting in 1935, with further adjustments in the 1960s to streamline the metropolitan pyramid.[8] The 1970s saw experimental format changes, including the division of the league into regional zones starting in 1967—such as Zona A and Zona B—for the initial stages, with top performers advancing to reclassification playoffs against higher-tier teams, aimed at enhancing competitiveness and integration with national structures.[8] These zonal experiments continued into the early 1970s, adapting to varying team numbers and promotional pathways. A major overhaul came in 1986 amid Argentina's economic turmoil of the 1980s, which prompted the AFA to reduce overall team counts across divisions through eliminations and consolidations; the Primera C was established as a permanent fourth tier below the new Primera B Metropolitana (third level), expanding to a fixed 20 teams for the 1986/87 season to stabilize the format under the European calendar and foster sustainability.[9][8] This restructuring reflected the AFA's efforts to professionalize lower divisions while addressing financial pressures from the decade's hyperinflation and recessions.[9]Division Levels
The Primera C Metropolitana, originally known as the Tercera División, was established in 1900 as the third tier of the Argentine football pyramid for clubs directly affiliated to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. It maintained this position through the amateur era and into the early professional period, serving as a key competitive level below the Primera División and Segunda División until 1932. During this time, the league provided a pathway for emerging metropolitan clubs to ascend within the system, with championships contested annually among teams from the capital and surrounding regions.[7] In 1933, following the suppression of the División Intermedia and the elevation of several teams from the second tier to the Primera División via a special promotion tournament, the structure shifted, positioning the former Tercera División—renamed Primera C in 1935—as the third tier starting that season. This change occurred alongside the reorganization of the second level into the Primera B, which absorbed remaining teams and solidified the pyramid's hierarchy. The league continued at this third level until 1986, when further restructuring created the Primera B Metropolitana as the dedicated third tier for metropolitan clubs, permanently establishing Primera C below it and above the Primera D (later renamed Torneo Promocional Amateur in 2021). Since then, it has functioned as the fourth level exclusively for directly affiliated metropolitan teams, with promotion paths leading upward to the Primera B Metropolitana.[9][7] Significant adjustments came in 2019 amid AFA's broader reforms to the lower divisions, including the integration of regional structures following the 2018 discontinuation of the Torneo Federal C, which had paralleled Primera C as a fourth-tier competition for indirectly affiliated non-metropolitan clubs. These changes aimed to streamline the pyramid by creating the Regional Amateur as the new fourth level for interior teams, while Primera C expanded its scope through transitional formats and team additions, reaching 27 active participants by the 2025 season to accommodate growth and competitive balance. This evolution underscores Primera C's role in fostering metropolitan talent while coexisting with regional equivalents like the Regional Amateur, ensuring a unified national framework without direct overlap in club affiliations.[10][11]Teams
Current Teams (2025 Season)
The Primera C Metropolitana 2025 season consists of 27 teams divided into two zones (Zona A with 13 teams and Zona B with 14 teams), all based in the Greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area except for Central Córdoba and Argentino de Rosario from Rosario in Santa Fe Province.[12] The competition follows a double round-robin format within each zone, with the top teams advancing to promotion playoffs and the bottom teams facing relegation to Primera D. As of November 12, 2025, no mid-season changes such as suspensions or new additions have occurred, with Deportivo Camioneros entering as defending champions from the 2024 season and currently topping Zona B.[13] The teams are listed below by zone and current standings position, including their primary location/district, home stadium (where applicable), founding year, traditional colors, and a note on their 2025 performance. Locations and stadiums are concentrated in Greater Buenos Aires districts like Ituzaingó, Berazategui, and Luján. Founding years and colors are drawn from club official records, while performance highlights reflect mid-to-late season form leading into the final matches and playoffs.Zona A Standings (as of November 12, 2025)
| Position | Team | Location/District | Home Stadium | Founded | Colors | 2025 Season Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ituzaingó | Ituzaingó, Buenos Aires | Carlos G. Tapia (capacity ~9,000) | 1928 | Blue and white | Leading Zona A with 49 points from 24 matches, securing a strong position for promotion playoffs after a consistent run of 14 wins.[12] |
| 2 | Berazategui | Berazategui, Buenos Aires | Norman Lee (capacity ~4,200) | 1947 | Green and white | Second with 47 points, highlighted by a high-scoring attack (38 goals), positioning them for a top playoff spot.[12] |
| 3 | Central Córdoba (Rosario) | Rosario, Santa Fe | Gabino Sosa (capacity ~17,500) | 1905 | Yellow and black | Third place with 45 points, showing solid defensive improvements and qualification for the reduced (playoffs).[12] |
| 4 | J.J. Urquiza | Loma Hermosa, Buenos Aires | Ramón Berdini (capacity ~1,500) | 1914 | Black and white | Mid-table push with 39 points, focusing on away form to clinch a playoff berth.[12] |
| 5 | Leandro N. Alem | General Rodríguez, Buenos Aires | Néstor Rossi (capacity ~1,000) | 1923 | Green and red | 32 points, with recent draws keeping them in contention for mid-table security.[12] |
| 6 | Deportivo Español | Buenos Aires (Nueva España) | Nueva España (capacity ~32,500) | 1956 | Green and white | Steady 32 points, relying on home advantage at their historic venue for survival.[12] |
| 7 | El Porvenir | Gerli, Buenos Aires | Gildo Francisco Ghersinich (capacity ~14,000) | 1915 | Blue and white | 31 points, battling relegation threats with key wins against lower teams.[12] |
| 8 | Claypole | Claypole, Buenos Aires | Rodolfo Vicente (capacity ~4,000) | 1997 | Blue and yellow | 30 points, notable for young squad development and avoiding the drop zone.[12] |
| 9 | Club Mercedes | Mercedes, Buenos Aires | Luis Odriozola (capacity ~3,000) | 1927 | Red and white | 28 points, mid-table finish after a slow start but improved second half.[12] |
| 10 | Muñiz | Buenos Aires (Saavedra) | José Luis Ella (capacity ~1,000) | 1915 | Light blue and white | 26 points, focusing on defensive solidity to stay above relegation.[12] |
| 11 | CA Lugano | Buenos Aires (Parque Patricios) | José María Mora (capacity ~1,000) | 1921 | Red and black | 26 points, struggling with consistency but safe from immediate relegation.[12] |
| 12 | Defensores de Cambaceres | Ensenada, Buenos Aires | Ciudad Deportiva (capacity ~4,000) | 1906 | Blue and white | 25 points, near the bottom but showing fight in local derbies.[12] |
| 13 | Puerto Nuevo | Campana, Buenos Aires | Guillermo Laza (capacity ~1,000) | 1934 | Red and white | 17 points, in relegation danger after a poor win record (5 wins).[12] |
Zona B Standings (as of November 12, 2025)
| Position | Team | Location/District | Home Stadium | Founded | Colors | 2025 Season Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deportivo Camioneros | General Pacheco, Buenos Aires | Hugo Moyano (capacity ~3,000) | 2007 | Blue and white | Defending champions leading with 56 points from 26 matches, dominant defense (10 goals conceded) securing promotion contention.[12] |
| 2 | Luján | Luján, Buenos Aires | Monumental de Luján (capacity ~4,000) | 1953 | Green and white | Second with 51 points, strong home record pushing for the zone title.[12] |
| 3 | Estrella del Sur (Alejandro Korn) | Alejandro Korn, Buenos Aires | Juan José Valle (capacity ~2,000) | 1922 | Red and black | 43 points, recent champions of lower leagues, adapting well with playoff hopes.[12] |
| 4 | Argentino de Rosario | Rosario, Santa Fe | José Martín Olaeta (capacity ~6,800) | 1902 | Green and black | 41 points, mid-table but notable for historical prestige and youth integration.[12] |
| 5 | Sportivo Barracas | Buenos Aires (Barracas) | Juan B. Justo (capacity ~6,000) | 1912 | Blue and white | 36 points, consistent performers aiming for playoffs.[12] |
| 6 | Juventud Unida | San Miguel, Buenos Aires | Ciudad de San Miguel (capacity ~1,500) | 1917 | Yellow and black | 35 points, solid away form keeping them competitive.[12] |
| 7 | General Lamadrid | Buenos Aires (Villa Devoto) | Ceferino Rosales (capacity ~1,000) | 1936 | Blue and white | 30 points, focusing on survival after early struggles.[12] |
| 8 | Centro Español | Buenos Aires (Balvanera) | Israelita (capacity ~2,000) | 1908 | Blue and white | 30 points, historical club with balanced season.[12] |
| 9 | Atlas | General Rodríguez, Buenos Aires | Ricardo Puga (capacity ~2,000) | 1951 | Red and blue | 29 points, mid-table with emphasis on local talent.[12] |
| 10 | Cañuelas F.C. | Cañuelas, Buenos Aires | Jorge Arín (capacity ~3,000) | 1898 | Red and white | 26 points, avoiding relegation through key victories.[12] |
| 11 | Yupanqui | Buenos Aires (Tapiales) | Juan Carlos Brieva (capacity ~2,500) | 1996 | Green and white | 25 points, young team building for future seasons.[12] |
| 12 | Deportivo Paraguayo | González Catán, Buenos Aires | Deportivo Paraguayo (capacity ~3,000) | 1961 | Blue and red | 25 points, community-focused club in relegation fight.[12] |
| 13 | Victoriano Arenas | Valentín Alsina, Buenos Aires | Saturnino Moure (capacity ~1,500) | 1925 | Blue and yellow | 23 points, struggling but with potential for recovery.[12] |
| 14 | Central Ballester | José León Suárez, Buenos Aires | Martín Lamela (capacity ~1,500) | 1911 | Blue and white | 21 points, at the bottom, facing relegation playoffs.[12] |
Former Teams
Over the history of the Primera C Metropolitana, numerous clubs have departed the league through promotion to the Primera B Metropolitana, relegation to the Primera D (prior to its unification with Primera C in 2024), or rarer instances of dissolution and mergers. Promotions have been the primary avenue for exit, with league champions and winners of the playoff system (reducido) ascending, often after multi-year tenures marked by competitive success. Relegations, determined by averages over multiple seasons, have sent teams to lower amateur levels, while a few clubs ceased operations or merged in the mid-20th century. The league's 2019 expansion incorporated seven new clubs from lower tiers, but the focus here is on those that subsequently left.[14][15] Prominent examples of promoted teams include Villa Dálmine, which competed in Primera C from the 1970s until its championship win in the 2011–12 season, securing promotion after four titles in the division (1975, 1982, 2002, and 2011–12). Similarly, Deportivo Merlo achieved promotion in 1999–2000 as champions and again in 2023 via playoffs, following a tenure that included a 2006 Apertura title and consistent playoff appearances. Lanús, after winning the 1981 championship during a stint in the league from the late 1970s, ascended and eventually reached the top flight, where it has since won multiple Primera División titles. Other notable ascents feature Almagro (1971 champion, promoted after early 1970s participation) and Sarmiento de Junín (1977 champion, promoted following a brief but impactful period). These clubs often leveraged their Primera C success, such as strong defensive records and key player developments, to stabilize in higher divisions.[14] Relegations have been more sporadic but significant, with teams like Barracas Central dropping multiple times (1970, 1980, 1985, 1989–90, and 1996) after extended tenures plagued by inconsistent performance, though it returned via promotion in later years. Liniers faced frequent demotions (1971, 1978, 1987–88, 1990–91, 2004, 2013–14, and 2016), spanning decades in the league with occasional playoff runs but ultimately descending to Primera D multiple times. In 2009–10, Argentino de Rosario was relegated after a 1950s entry and variable results, including a brief absence before rejoining in subsequent seasons; it returned but exemplifies the volatility of averages-based relegation. Club Luján, active since the 1960s with intermittent stays, was relegated in 1982 and 1967, contributing to its historical migrations between divisions. These exits often followed seasons of poor goal differentials and financial strains, pushing clubs toward amateur football.[15] Dissolutions and mergers are less common but notable in the league's early professional era. For instance, Central Argentino (San Martín) competed in the 1970s before dissolving in the late 1970s amid economic challenges, ending a tenure that included modest mid-table finishes. Piraña, active in the late 1970s, disbanded after relegation in 1979, with no revival. Mergers, such as those in the 1950s involving smaller clubs like elements of Club Atlético La Punta integrating into other entities, reduced the number of independent teams, though specific impacts on Primera C were limited to localized disruptions rather than widespread changes. These cases highlight how structural shifts occasionally led to permanent exits, preserving the league's focus on resilient metropolitan clubs.[15]Champions and Records
List of Champions
The Primera C Metropolitana traces its origins to the Tercera División established in 1900, but was formally organized in 1935 as part of the AFA's expansion efforts to structure lower divisions. It has crowned champions across various eras, reflecting changes in league structure, from amateur third-division competitions to the modern fourth-division format with dual tournaments and playoffs. The following list chronicles all champions from 1900 to 2024, organized by historical eras for clarity: the pre-1933 period as the third level, the 1962-1986 phase as Primera C (third level before reorganization), and the post-1986 era as the fourth level. Shared titles occurred in early years due to parallel associations, such as the Asociación Argentina de Football and Asociación Amateurs; dual-tournament formats (Apertura and Clausura) were introduced in the 1990s, with overall champions often determined by playoffs integrating both phases. Notable disputes include the 1915 co-championship amid wartime disruptions, where Martínez was recognized alongside others.[16][17][14]Pre-1933 Third-Division Winners (Tercera División/Segunda División/División Intermedia)
| Year | Champion(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | English High School | First edition; no promotion.[7] |
| 1901 | Alumni | Formerly English High School team.[7] |
| 1902 | Lomas Juniors | .[17] |
| 1903 | Estudiantes (BA) | .[17] |
| 1904 | Estudiantes (BA) | .[17] |
| 1905 | Alumni | .[17] |
| 1906 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (BA) | .[17] |
| 1907 | Atlanta | .[17] |
| 1908 | Banfield | .[7] |
| 1909 | Ferro Carril Oeste | .[17] |
| 1910 | Instituto Americano | .[17] |
| 1911 | Riachuelo | .[17] |
| 1912 | Banfield / Tigre | Shared due to parallel associations; wartime impacts began affecting schedules.[17] |
| 1913 | Ferro Carril Oeste / Estudiantes (La Plata) | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1914 | San Lorenzo / Tigre Juniors | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1915 | Martínez / Boca Juniors | Co-champions due to wartime disruptions; matches suspended.[17] |
| 1916 | Huracán | .[17] |
| 1917 | Sportivo Palermo | .[17] |
| 1918 | San Fernando | .[17] |
| 1919 | El Porvenir / Sportivo Barracas | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1920 | Sportivo Avellaneda / Oriente del Sud | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1921 | Huracán / Villa Crespo | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1922 | Central Argentino / Nacional (Floresta) | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1923 | Bristol / Acassuso | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1924 | Leandro N. Alem / Racing | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1925 | Sportivo Balcarce / Perla del Plata | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1926 | Libertad / Racing | Shared titles.[17] |
| 1927 | Unión (Caseros) | .[7] |
| 1928 | Acassuso | .[7] |
| 1929 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (Lanús) | .[7] |
| 1930 | La Paternal | .[7] |
| 1931 | 25 de Mayo | Tournament not fully played in parallel league.[17] |
| 1932 | Sportivo Alsina | Tournament not fully played in parallel league.[17] |
1933-1961 Third-Division Winners (Tercera División/Primera Amateur)
| Year | Champion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | Sportivo Alsina | .[14] |
| 1934 | Excursionistas | .[14] |
| 1935 | Progresista | .[14] |
| 1936 | Sportivo Alsina | .[14] |
| 1937 | Acassuso | .[14] |
| 1938 | Los Andes | .[14] |
| 1939 | Boulogne | .[14] |
| 1940 | Nueva Chicago | .[14] |
| 1941 | Sportivo Alsina | .[14] |
| 1942 | Estudiantes (BA) | .[14] |
| 1943 | El Porvenir | .[14] |
| 1944 | Barracas Central | .[14] |
| 1945 | Argentino de Quilmes | .[14] |
| 1946 | All Boys | .[14] |
| 1947 | Colegiales | .[14] |
| 1948 | Barracas Central | .[14] |
| 1949 | San Telmo | No promotion due to restructuring.[17] |
| 1950 | All Boys | .[14] |
| 1951 | Tiro Federal | .[14] |
| 1952 | Central Córdoba (R) | .[14] |
| 1953 | Defensores de Belgrano | .[14] |
| 1954 | El Porvenir | .[14] |
| 1955 | Colegiales | .[14] |
| 1956 | San Telmo | .[14] |
| 1957 | Los Andes | .[14] |
| 1958 | Defensores de Belgrano | .[14] |
| 1959 | Deportivo Morón | .[14] |
| 1960 | Deportivo Español | .[14] |
| 1961 | San Telmo | .[14] |
1962-1986 Primera C Titles (Third Level)
| Year | Champion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | San Telmo | .[16] |
| 1963 | Deportivo Italiano | Multiple promotions by decree.[17] |
| 1964 | Villa Dálmine | .[14] |
| 1965 | Arsenal (Sarandí) | .[14] |
| 1966 | Almirante Brown | .[14] |
| 1967 | No champion | Zones won by Liniers and Comunicaciones; restructuring.[17] |
| 1968 | Comunicaciones | .[17] |
| 1969 | Comunicaciones | .[17] |
| 1970 | Talleres (RE) | .[14] |
| 1971 | Almagro | .[14] |
| 1972 | Defensores de Belgrano | .[14] |
| 1973 | Central Córdoba (R) | .[14] |
| 1974 | Deportivo Italiano | .[14] |
| 1975 | Villa Dálmine | .[14] |
| 1976 | Deportivo Armenio | .[14] |
| 1977 | Sarmiento | .[14] |
| 1978 | Talleres (RE) | .[14] |
| 1979 | Deportivo Español | .[14] |
| 1980 | Deportivo Morón | .[14] |
| 1981 | Lanús | .[14] |
| 1982 | Villa Dálmine | .[14] |
| 1983 | Argentino (Rosario) | .[14] |
| 1984 | San Miguel | .[14] |
| 1985 | Defensa y Justicia | .[14] |
| 1986 | No champion | Multiple promotions due to restructuring to fourth level.[17] |
Post-1986 Fourth-Division Champions (Primera C Metropolitana)
| Year | Champion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1986/87 | Deportivo Laferrere | First season as fourth level.[16] |
| 1987/88 | Central Córdoba (R) | .[16] |
| 1988/89 | Argentino de Quilmes | .[16] |
| 1989/90 | Berazategui | .[16] |
| 1990/91 | Defensores de Cambaceres | .[16] |
| 1991/92 | Defensores de Belgrano | .[16] |
| 1992/93 | Colegiales | .[14] |
| 1993 Apertura | Defensores Unidos | Dual tournaments begin.[17] |
| 1994 Clausura | Tristán Suárez | .[17] |
| 1994 Apertura | San Telmo | Clausura winner; playoffs introduced for promotion.[17] |
| 1995 Clausura | Temperley | .[17] |
| 1995 Apertura | Leandro N. Alem | .[17] |
| 1996 Clausura | Villa Dálmine | .[14] |
| 1996 Apertura | Berazategui | .[17] |
| 1997 Clausura | Brown (Adrogué) | .[17] |
| 1997 Apertura | Ituzaingó | .[17] |
| 1998 Clausura | Flandria | .[17] |
| 1998 Apertura | Defensores de Cambaceres | .[17] |
| 1999 Clausura | Defensores de Cambaceres | .[17] |
| 1999/2000 | Deportivo Merlo | Overall playoff victor.[14] |
| 2000 Apertura | Cañuelas | .[17] |
| 2001 Clausura | Argentino (Merlo) | .[17] |
| 2001 Apertura | Excursionistas | .[17] |
| 2002 Clausura | Deportivo Laferrere | .[17] |
| 2002 Apertura | Villa Dálmine | .[17] |
| 2003 Clausura | Barracas Central | .[17] |
| 2003 Apertura | Argentino (Rosario) | .[17] |
| 2004 Clausura | Colegiales | .[14] |
| 2004 Apertura | Colegiales | Consecutive titles.[14] |
| 2005 Clausura | Comunicaciones | .[14] |
| 2005/06 | Deportivo Merlo | Overall playoff victor.[18] |
| 2006 Apertura | Acassuso | .[14] |
| 2007 Clausura | Acassuso | Consecutive titles.[14] |
| 2007/08 | Colegiales | .[14] |
| 2008/09 | Villa San Carlos | .[14] |
| 2009/10 | Barracas Central | .[14] |
| 2010/11 | General Lamadrid | .[14] |
| 2011/12 | Villa Dálmine | .[14] |
| 2012/13 | UAI Urquiza | .[14] |
| 2013/14 | Sportivo Italiano | .[14] |
| 2015 | San Telmo | .[14] |
| 2016 | Excursionistas | .[19] |
| 2017 | Sacachispas | .[14] |
| 2017/18 | Defensores Unidos | .[14] |
| 2018/19 | Argentino de Quilmes / Deportivo Armenio | Shared title; Villa San Carlos won playoffs.[17] |
| 2020 | No champion | Suspended due to COVID-19.[19] |
| 2021 | No champion | Suspended due to COVID-19.[19] |
| 2022 | Argentino de Merlo | Overall playoff victor.[19] |
| 2023 | Excursionistas | .[19] |
| 2024 | Real Pilar | Apertura regular season led by General Lamadrid; Real Pilar won overall playoffs (4-0 aggregate vs. General Lamadrid).[20] |
Titles by Club
The Primera C Metropolitana has seen championships distributed among over 50 clubs since its inception, reflecting the competitive depth of amateur and semi-professional football in the Greater Buenos Aires area. Titles are heavily concentrated in districts such as Avellaneda, Lanús, and San Isidro, where local rivalries and club infrastructure have fostered sustained success. Mid-sized clubs from these regions dominated the 1980s, with five different teams—Lanús (1981), Villa Dálmine (1982), Argentino de Rosario (1983), San Miguel (1984), and Defensa y Justicia (1985)—capturing the crown in successive seasons, often through direct league formats before the introduction of playoffs.[21][17] The following table ranks clubs by total Primera C titles won, including those from defunct teams like Alumni, which secured two early victories (1901, 1905) in the pre-professional era. Counts encompass both regular season winners and playoff champions in the post-2000 era, where reduced tournaments have decided promotions since the 1990s reorganization. Colegiales and Villa Dálmine lead with six titles each, exemplifying repeat success, while single-title winners comprise the majority, underscoring the league's parity.[21][17]| Club | Titles | Notes on Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Colegiales | 6 | 1947, 1955, 1992–93, 2004 Clausura, 2004 Apertura, 2007–08; multiple playoff wins post-1990s |
| Villa Dálmine | 6 | 1964, 1975, 1982, 1996 Clausura, 2002 Apertura, 2011–12; 1980s era dominance |
| San Telmo | 5 | 1949, 1956, 1961, 1962, 2015; three pre-1960s, two via playoffs |
| Defensores de Belgrano | 4 | Includes 1953 and 1991–92 titles; 1972 also |
| Sportivo Alsina | 4 | 1932, 1933, 1936, 1941; early amateur era dominance |
| Argentino de Quilmes | 3 | 1945, 1988–89, 2018–19 shared |
| Barracas Central | 3 | 1944, 1948, 2009–10 |
| Central Córdoba (R) | 3 | 1952, 1973, 1987–88 |
| Comunicaciones | 3 | Consecutive in 1968–69; 2005 Clausura |
| Deportivo Italiano | 3 | 1963, 1974, 2013–14 |
| Excursionistas | 3 | 1934, 2001 Apertura, 2023 |
| Acassuso | 2 | 1928, 1937; early amateur era |
| All Boys | 2 | 1946, 1950 |
| Argentino de Merlo | 2 | 2001 Clausura, 2022 |
| Argentino de Rosario | 2 | 1983, 2003 Apertura |
| Defensores de Cambaceres | 2 | Consecutive Clausura 1998–99 |
| Deportivo Armenio | 2 | 1976, 2018–19 shared |
| Deportivo Español | 2 | 1960, 1979 |
| Deportivo Morón | 2 | 1959, 1980 |
| El Porvenir | 2 | 1943, 1954 |
| Estudiantes (BA) | 2 | 1903–04 consecutive; 1942 also counted separately if needed |
| Los Andes | 2 | 1938, 1957 |
| Talleres (RE) | 2 | 1970, 1978 |
| Alumni (defunct) | 2 | 1901, 1905; pre-1910 era |
| Berazategui | 1 | 1989–90 |
| Real Pilar | 1 | 2024 overall via finals |