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Primera Federación
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 | |
| Organising body | RFEF |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| First season | 2021–22 |
| Country | Spain |
| Divisions | 2 |
| Number of clubs | 2 groups of 20 teams each (40) |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | Segunda División |
| Relegation to | Segunda Federación |
| Domestic cup(s) | Copa del Rey Copa Federación |
| Current champions | Ceuta (1st title) (2024–25) |
| Most championships | Racing Santander Amorebieta Deportivo La Coruña Ceuta (1 title) |
| Broadcaster(s) | Footters, Fuchs Sport, ETB 1, TVG, TV3 |
| Website | rfef.es/primera-federacion |
| Current: 2025–26 Primera Federación | |
The Primera Federación, officially the Primera Federación Versus e-Learning for sponsorship reasons[1] (formerly known as Primera RFEF), is the third tier of the Spanish football league system beginning with the 2021–22 season. It is administered by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. It is below the top two professional leagues, the Primera División (also known as La Liga) and Segunda División (also known as La Liga Hypermotion), above the Segunda Federación and Tercera Federación. It is the highest level of semi-professional football in Spain.
History
[edit]In 2020, the Royal Spanish Football Federation announced the creation of three new divisions, two semi-professional and one amateur:[2] the Primera División RFEF as the new third tier of the Spanish system;[3] the Segunda División RFEF as the new fourth tier, broadly using the same format as the Segunda División B created in 1977; and the Tercera División RFEF as the fifth tier, along the same lines as the Tercera División from 1977 whereby groups are limited to teams from each of the nation's autonomous communities and is administered by a local body.
On 30 June 2022, after just one season of existence, Primera División RFEF was renamed to Primera Federación.[4]
League format
[edit]As of 2024–25 season, the Primera Federación is made up of 40 clubs divided into two groups of 20 teams distributed by geographical proximity, initially with a north-west/south-east split.[5]: 31 The competition is divided in two phases, the first of which corresponds to the regular phase and the second to the two-legged First Federation play-off.
The regular phase is made up of a total of 38 matchdays in which the participating clubs play each other over two legs. The clubs that qualify in first place in each of the two groups will be promoted directly to the Segunda División. The clubs that qualify in the second to fifth places in each of the two groups will participate in the First Federation play-off through the direct elimination system. The two winning clubs in each of the finals will be promoted, along with the top finishers in each group, to the Segunda División. On the other hand, the teams that occupy the sixteenth to twentieth places in each of the groups will be relegated to the Segunda Federación.[5]: 31–33
Champion
[edit].jpg)
The two group winners play the final of the tournament. The winner obtains direct qualification to the Copa del Rey second round, as well as receiving the Primera Federación champion trophy.[6][7][8]
Reserve teams eligibility
[edit]Reserve teams can participate in the Primera Federación if their first teams compete in a higher division, but cannot compete in the same division. If a team is relegated or promoted to the same division, the reserve team will be denied promotion or automatically relegated to ensure they remain one division separate.[5]: 36
Clubs
[edit]
Location of teams in 2024–25 Primera Federación – Group 1 (Basque Country)
The member clubs of the Primera Federación for the 2024–25 season are listed below.
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
|---|---|
Seasons
[edit]| Season | Group 1 winner | Group 2 winner | Other promoted teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Racing Santander | Andorra | Albacete and Villarreal B |
| 2022–23 | Racing Ferrol | Amorebieta | Alcorcón and Eldense |
| 2023–24 | Deportivo La Coruña | Castellón | Málaga and Córdoba |
| 2024–25 | Cultural Leonesa | Ceuta | Real Sociedad B and Andorra |
Bold: overall champion
Champions and promotions
[edit]| Club | Group winners | Overall champions | Promotions | Winning years (group) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Andorra | 1
|
0
|
2
|
2021–22 (2) |
| Racing Santander | 1
|
1
|
1
|
2021–22 (1) |
| Amorebieta | 1
|
1
|
1
|
2022–23 (2) |
| Deportivo La Coruña | 1
|
1
|
1
|
2023–24 (1) |
| Ceuta | 1
|
1
|
1
|
2024–25 (2) |
| Racing Ferrol | 1
|
0
|
1
|
2022–23 (1) |
| Castellón | 1
|
0
|
1
|
2023–24 (2) |
| Cultural Leonesa | 1
|
0
|
1
|
2024–25 (1) |
| Albacete | 0
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
| Alcorcón | 0
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
| Eldense | 0
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
| Málaga | 0
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
| Villarreal B | 0
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
| Córdoba | 0
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
| Real Sociedad B | 0
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
Bold: overall titles
Top scorers
[edit]Goals in playoffs are not counted.
| Season | Top scorer | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 |  Ferran Jutglà
|
Barcelona B | 19 |
| 2022–23 | Rodri
|
AD Ceuta | 20 |
| 2023–24 | Pau Víctor
|
Barcelona Atlètic | 18 |
| 2024–25 | Gonzalo García
|
Real Madrid Castilla | 25 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Versus e-Learning se convierte en patrocinador principal de Primera Federación". Real Federación Española de Fútbol (in Spanish). 23 August 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ "Así sería la nueva Segunda B Pro del fútbol español" [This would be the new Segunda B Pro of Spanish football]. Apuestas de Murcia (in Spanish). 16 September 2020.
- ^ Abizanda, Jorge (15 September 2020). "La Federación desvela el misterio: La nueva Segunda B se denominará Primera División RFEF" [The Federation reveals the mystery: The new Second B will be called First Division RFEF]. ABC (Spain) (in Spanish).
- ^ "La Primera RFEF pasa a llamarse Primera Federación" [Primera RFEF is now called Primera Federación] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ a b c "Normas Reguladoras y Bases de Competición de Primera y Segunda División de Fútbol" (PDF). Real Federación Española de Fútbol (in Spanish). 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ Real Federación Española de Fútbol. "Normas reguladoras y bases de la competición de Primera Federación. Temporada 2023/2024" [Rules of Primera Federación competition 2023/2024 season] (PDF) (in Spanish). pp. 39–40. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
TERCERA. - CONSECUENCIAS CLASIFICATORIAS. I. Campeones. Resultará campeón de Primera Federación el equipo vencedor de la final de campeones que tendrá lugar entre los equipos clasificados en el primer puesto de cada grupo de la fase regular, a doble partido, disputándose el primero de ellos en el terreno de juego del equipo con menor coeficiente. El vencedor obtendrá en propiedad el trofeo de Campeón de Primera Federación, así como la clasificación directa a la segunda eliminatoria del Campeonato de España/Copa de S.M. el Rey en la próxima temporada.
[THIRD. - CLASSIFICATION CONSEQUENCES. I. Champions. The champion of Primera Federación will be the team that wins the final of champions that will take place between the teams classified in first place in each group of the regular phase, in a double match, with the first of them being played on the field of play of the team with the lowest coefficient. The winner will own the Primera Federación Champion trophy, as well as direct qualification to the second round of the Campeonato de España-Copa de Su Majestad el Rey in the next season.] - ^ Real Federación Española de Fútbol. "Normas reguladoras y bases de la competición de Primera Federación. Temporada 2022/2023" [Rules of Primera Federación competition 2022/2023 season] (PDF) (in Spanish). p. 32. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
TERCERA. - CONSECUENCIAS CLASIFICATORIAS. I. Campeones. Resultará campeón de Primera Federación el equipo vencedor de la final de campeones que tendrá lugar entre los equipos clasificados en el primer puesto de cada grupo de la fase regular, a doble partido, disputándose el primero de ellos en el terreno de juego del equipo con menor coeficiente. El vencedor obtendrá en propiedad el trofeo de Campeón de Primera Federación, así como la clasificación directa a la segunda eliminatoria del Campeonato de España/Copa de S.M. el Rey en la próxima temporada.
[THIRD. - CLASSIFICATION CONSEQUENCES. I. Champions. The champion of Primera Federación will be the team that wins the final of champions that will take place between the teams classified in first place in each group of the regular phase, in a double match, with the first of them being played on the field of play of the team with the lowest coefficient. The winner will own Primera Federación Champion trophy, as well as direct qualification to the second round of the Campeonato de España-Copa de Su Majestad el Rey in the next season.] - ^ Real Federación Española de Fútbol. "Circular nº 96. Normas reguladoras y bases de la competición de Primera Federación. Temporada 2021/2022" [Rules of Primera Federación competition 2021/2022 season] (PDF) (in Spanish). p. 31. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
TERCERA. - CONSECUENCIAS CLASIFICATORIAS. I. Campeones. Resultará campeón de Primera RFEF el equipo vencedor de la final de campeones que tendrá lugar entre los equipos clasificados en el primer puesto de cada grupo, a partido único y en terreno neutral. El vencedor obtendrá en propiedad el trofeo de Campeón de Primera RFEF, así como la clasificación directa a la segunda eliminatoria del Campeonato de España / Copa de S.M. el Rey en la próxima temporada.
[THIRD. - CLASSIFICATION CONSEQUENCES. I. Champions. The champion of Primera RFEF will be the team that wins the champions' final that will take place between the teams classified in first place in each group, in a single match and on neutral ground. The winner will own the Primera RFEF Champion trophy, as well as direct qualification to the second round of the Campeonato de España-Copa de Su Majestad el Rey in the next season.]
External links
[edit]- Official website RFEF (in Spanish)
| National teams |
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| Men's league system |
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| Women's league system |
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| Youth league system |
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Primera Federación
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
History
Establishment
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) created the Primera División RFEF in July 2020 as part of a comprehensive restructuring of Spain's third-tier football to address persistent financial instability and organizational inefficiencies in the existing Segunda División B, which had been managed through a decentralized system involving territorial federations. This reform centralized control under the RFEF, introducing stricter financial requirements, improved governance, and enhanced professional standards to elevate the category's viability and appeal. The move was driven by the need to modernize non-professional football amid economic pressures exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had disrupted the 2019–20 season and highlighted the vulnerabilities of the old structure.[3][4] The new league was designed with 40 teams, drawn from the Segunda División B based on their 2019–20 season performances—where classifications were frozen due to the pandemic—and supplemented by results from extraordinary playoffs held that summer to determine promotions and placements. These playoffs, conducted from July 18 to 28, 2020, in centralized venues in Andalusia, ensured a merit-based selection while minimizing disruptions, with the top-performing clubs prioritized to form the inaugural lineup. This selection process aimed to preserve competitive integrity during the transition, setting the foundation for a more streamlined and equitable division.[5][2] Launched in August 2021 for the 2021–22 season, the Primera División RFEF represented a pivotal shift toward professionalized third-division play, complete with federal oversight on licensing, player registrations, and operational protocols. Central motivations included boosting competitiveness through better resource allocation, securing centralized TV rights deals to distribute revenues more equitably among clubs—potentially generating millions in additional income—and ensuring compliance with UEFA licensing criteria to support smoother transitions for promoted teams into European competitions. This overhaul sought to bridge the gap between semi-professional and fully professional football, fostering long-term sustainability and growth in the Spanish football pyramid.[6][7][4]Renaming and Developments
In July 2022, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) renamed the league from Primera División RFEF to Primera Federación, effective for the 2022–23 season, as part of a broader simplification of nomenclature for its non-professional divisions to better reflect federal administration.[8] The league's scheduling and operations were influenced by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the 2022–23 season, where the RFEF permitted flexible fixture rescheduling for affected matches and adopted hybrid protocols for player health monitoring to ensure continuity. Concurrently, promotion paths to Segunda División were refined, with the standard structure of two automatic promotions and two via playoffs maintained but with clarified eligibility rules for reserve teams to avoid conflicts with parent clubs.[9] As of November 2025, the league has adopted an east-west geographical split for the two groups of 20 teams each in the 2025–26 season, departing from the previous north-south format to optimize travel and competitiveness.[10] Additionally, digital broadcasting has seen significant enhancements, with new multi-year deals offering free-to-air access to at least 20% of matches and expanded streaming packages through platforms like LaLiga+ and RFEF.TV, increasing visibility and revenue for participating clubs.[11][12][13]Competition Format
League Structure
The Primera Federación consists of 40 clubs divided into two groups of 20 teams each, organized primarily by geographic proximity to minimize travel distances. Group 1 typically includes teams from northern and central regions of Spain, such as Galicia, Asturias, and Castilla y León, while Group 2 encompasses southern and eastern clubs, including those from Andalusia, the Community of Valencia, and the Balearic Islands.[14][15] As of the 2024–25 season, teams may register up to 25 player licenses, with no more than 18 over 23 years old.[16] The regular season follows a double round-robin format within each group, where every team competes against the other 19 opponents twice—once at home and once away—resulting in 38 matches per club. The season typically runs from late August to early May, aligning with the standard Spanish football calendar to accommodate weather conditions and player schedules.[8] Standings are determined by a points system awarding three points for a victory, one point for a draw, and zero points for a defeat. In the event of tied points, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: results from head-to-head matches (including goal difference in those encounters), overall goal difference across all matches, total goals scored, and fair play records based on disciplinary points. If necessary, a playoff match on neutral ground resolves remaining ties.[8] The league operates under the administrative oversight of the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF), which holds exclusive rights to the competition and establishes its rules through the Normas Reguladoras y Bases de Competición. Matches are officiated by professional referees from the RFEF's technical committee, ensuring adherence to standardized protocols akin to higher professional tiers.[8]Promotion and Playoffs
The Primera Federación operates a promotion system to the Segunda División, allowing four teams to ascend each season. The champions of each of the two groups secure automatic promotion based on their performance in the regular season phase.[8] Teams finishing from second to fifth place in each group qualify for the promotion playoffs, totaling eight participants divided across the groups.[17] The playoff structure is a single-elimination tournament featuring semifinals and a subsequent final round, with all ties played over two legs. In the semifinals, teams are paired across groups, with the lower-seeded team hosting the first leg and the higher-seeded team hosting the return leg; seeding is determined by regular-season positions.[8] The winners of the four semifinal ties advance to two final matches, also contested over two legs in the same home-and-away format, with the victors earning the remaining two promotion spots to Segunda División.[17] If a tie remains level after the two legs, extra time (two 15-minute periods) is played; if still tied, the higher-ranked team from the regular season advances, with no penalty shootouts used.[17]Relegation
The relegation process from the Primera Federación to the Segunda Federación is determined exclusively by the final standings of the regular season, with no influence from promotion playoffs or other postseason competitions affecting the descent. The league consists of two groups of 20 teams each, and the five lowest-ranked teams in each group—positions 16th through 20th—are directly relegated, resulting in a total of 10 teams dropping to the lower division.[18][19] This direct relegation ensures a straightforward mechanism based on performance over the 38-match regular season schedule per group. Reserve teams (filiales) participating in the Primera Federación are subject to specific eligibility rules, including automatic further descent if their parent club's relegation would place both in the same category, though such cases trigger administrative adjustments to maintain divisional separation as outlined in RFEF regulations.[20]Reserve Team Eligibility
Reserve teams, known as equipos filiales or subsidiary teams, are permitted to participate in the Primera Federación only if their parent club's first team competes in La Liga or the Segunda División. This eligibility criterion ensures that reserve teams function primarily as platforms for youth player development from top-tier clubs, without competing against their own parent teams. If the parent club's first team is competing in the Primera Federación or any lower division, the reserve team is ineligible for participation in this league.[21] The league consists of two groups of 20 teams each, geographically distributed, with group compositions balanced to include up to five reserve teams per group for competitive equity. Furthermore, a single parent club is limited to a maximum of two reserve teams across both groups combined, preventing overrepresentation. Reserve teams face strict promotion restrictions: they cannot ascend to the same division as their parent club, resulting in automatic relegation for the reserve team or forfeiture of the promotion spot to the next qualified non-reserve team. This measure upholds the separation between parent and subsidiary squads to avoid internal conflicts.[21] Player regulations for reserve teams emphasize youth integration to support their developmental role. Squads must comply with minimum quotas for players under 23 years of age, aligning with broader RFEF guidelines that require professional and semi-professional teams to include a significant proportion of young talent. In the matchday squad of up to 23 players, reserve teams are limited to no more than 18 players over 23 years old, reinforcing the focus on emerging players while allowing limited experience from veterans. These rules apply per competition phase and are enforced to prevent reserve teams from functioning as full senior squads.[22][16] The framework for reserve team eligibility was introduced alongside the establishment of the Primera Federación in 2021, as part of the restructuring of Spanish football's non-reserve divisions to enhance youth pathways and league balance. Prior to this, under the Segunda División B system, reserve teams from La Liga and Segunda División clubs routinely participated, but the new structure formalized restrictions to prioritize development over promotion contention. Notable examples include Real Madrid Castilla and Barcelona Atlètic, whose continued eligibility post-2021 reflects their parent clubs' positions in La Liga, allowing sustained opportunities for academy graduates. These regulations occasionally intersect with relegation processes, where reserve teams may participate in administrative swaps to maintain divisional separation from parent clubs.[23][21]Participating Clubs
Current Clubs (2025–26 Season)
The 2025–26 Primera Federación season comprises 40 teams divided into two geographically organized groups to facilitate logistics and reduce travel costs. Group 1 features clubs predominantly from northern, central, and western Spain, including several reserve teams from higher-division clubs and a mix of historic sides. Group 2 focuses on southern, eastern, and central teams, with a similar balance of reserve squads and independent clubs. Entry paths vary: four teams were relegated from the Segunda División (two per group, approximately), ten ascended from the Segunda Federación (four group champions and six playoff winners), and the remaining 26 retained their status by finishing outside the relegation zone in the prior season or through administrative retention. The relegated teams are FC Cartagena, CD Eldense, Racing Club Ferrol, and CD Tenerife; promoted teams include Arenas Club, CE Europa, CD Guadalajara, Juventud Torremolinos CF (champions), and Cacereño CP, CE Sabadell FC, CF Talavera de la Reina, CD Teruel, Pontevedra CF, Real Avilés Industrial (playoff winners).[24]Group 1
| Team | Location | Stadium (Capacity) | Primary Colors | Qualification Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AD Mérida | Mérida, Extremadura | Estadio Romano (14,600) | Green and white | Retained |
| Arenas Club | Getxo, Basque Country | Gobela (1,200) | Blue and white | Promoted (Segunda Federación Group 2 champion) |
| Athletic Club B | Bilbao, Basque Country | Lezama (3,250) | Red and white stripes | Retained (reserve team) |
| Barakaldo CF | Barakaldo, Basque Country | Lasesarre (7,960) | Blue and white | Retained |
| CA Osasuna B | Pamplona, Navarre | Tajonar (1,000) | Red | Retained (reserve team) |
| CD Arenteiro | O Carballiño, Galicia | Espiñedo (2,500) | Green and white | Retained |
| CD Guadalajara | Guadalajara, Castile-La Mancha | Pedro Escartín (6,000) | White and black | Promoted (Segunda Federación Group 5 champion) |
| CD Lugo | Lugo, Galicia | Anxo Carro (7,114) | Red and white | Retained |
| CD Tenerife | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands | Heliodoro Rodríguez López (22,824) | White and blue | Relegated from Segunda División |
| CF Talavera de la Reina | Talavera de la Reina, Castile-La Mancha | El Prado (4,200) | Green and white | Promoted (playoff winner from Segunda Federación) |
| CP Cacereño | Cáceres, Extremadura | Príncipe Felipe (7,000) | Blue and white | Promoted (playoff winner from Segunda Federación) |
| Ourense CF | Ourense, Galicia | O Couto (5,659) | Red and white | Retained |
| Pontevedra CF | Pontevedra, Galicia | Pasarón (12,000) | Blue and white | Promoted (playoff winner from Segunda Federación) |
| Racing Club Ferrol | Ferrol, Galicia | A Malata (12,043) | Red and white | Relegated from Segunda División |
| RC Celta Fortuna | Vigo, Galicia | Barreiro (4,500) | White and blue stripes | Retained (reserve team) |
| Real Avilés Industrial | Avilés, Asturias | Román Suárez Puerta (5,400) | Blue and white | Promoted (playoff winner from Segunda Federación) |
| Real Madrid Castilla | Madrid | Alfredo Di Stéfano (5,797) | White | Retained (reserve team) |
| SD Ponferradina | Ponferrada, Castile and León | El Toralín (8,825) | Purple | Retained |
| Unionistas de Salamanca CF | Salamanca, Castile and León | Reina Sofía (4,895) | Green and white | Retained |
| Zamora CF | Zamora, Castile and León | Ruta de la Plata (7,813) | Red and white | Retained |
Group 2
| Team | Location | Stadium (Capacity) | Primary Colors | Qualification Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AD Alcorcón | Alcorcón, Community of Madrid | Santo Domingo (5,880) | Blue and white | Retained |
| Algeciras CF | Algeciras, Andalusia | Nuevo Mirador (7,200) | Blue and white | Retained |
| Antequera CF | Antequera, Andalusia | El Maulí (4,500) | Green | Retained |
| Atlético Sanluqueño | Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Andalusia | El Palmar (6,000) | Blue | Retained |
| Betis Deportivo Balompié | Seville, Andalusia | Luis del Sol (2,100) | Green and white stripes | Retained (reserve team) |
| CD Eldense | Elda, Valencian Community | Pepico Amat (4,036) | Red and black | Relegated from Segunda División |
| CD Teruel | Teruel, Aragon | Pinilla (4,500) | Red and blue | Promoted (playoff winner from Segunda Federación) |
| CE Europa | Barcelona, Catalonia | Nou Sardenya (4,000) | Blue and red | Promoted (Segunda Federación Group 3 champion) |
| CE Sabadell FC | Sabadell, Catalonia | Nova Creu Alta (11,908) | Blue and red | Promoted (playoff winner from Segunda Federación) |
| FC Cartagena | Cartagena, Murcia | Cartagonova (14,353) | Black and white | Relegated from Segunda División |
| Gimnàstic de Tarragona | Tarragona, Catalonia | Nou Estadi (14,591) | Red and black stripes | Retained |
| Hércules CF | Alicante, Valencian Community | José Rico Pérez (29,500) | White | Retained |
| Juventud Torremolinos CF | Torremolinos, Andalusia | El Pozuelo (3,000) | Green and white | Promoted (Segunda Federación Group 4 champion) |
| Marbella FC | Marbella, Andalusia | Banús (3,000) | Blue and white | Retained |
| Real Murcia CF | Murcia | Enrique Roca de Murcia (31,179) | White | Retained |
| SD Tarazona | Tarazona, Aragon | Municipal de Tarazona (2,500) | Blue and white | Retained |
| Sevilla Atlético | Seville, Andalusia | Jesús Navas (8,754) | White | Retained (reserve team) |
| UD Ibiza | Ibiza, Balearic Islands | Can Misses (6,000) | Blue and red | Retained |
| Villarreal CF B | Villarreal, Valencian Community | Ciudad Deportiva (3,500) | Yellow and blue | Retained (reserve team) |
| Atlético de Madrid B | Madrid | Cerro del Espino (3,000) | Red and white stripes | Retained (reserve team) |
Historical Participation
Since its establishment in the 2021–22 season, the Primera Federación has featured approximately 60 unique clubs across its groups, drawn initially from teams relegated from the Segunda División and those promoted from the former Segunda División B. This inaugural cohort included notable entries such as Racing Santander, Deportivo La Coruña, FC Andorra, and Albacete Balompié, marking a transitional phase as the league absorbed semi-professional sides adapting to the new third-tier structure.[25][26] The league has exhibited high turnover, with around 10 clubs exiting annually through relegation to the Segunda Federación (five per group) and an equivalent number entering via promotion from lower divisions or relegation from the Segunda División. This fluidity has seen frequent movers like UD Logroñés and CE Sabadell navigate multiple seasons, often bouncing between tiers due to the competitive promotion and relegation dynamics. For instance, post-2023 seasons witnessed exits of clubs such as SD Amorebieta and FC Fuenlabrada following poor finishes, replaced by rising teams like Antequera CF and Marbella FC.[27][28][29] Geographical patterns persist, with Group 1 dominated by northern and northwestern clubs (e.g., from Galicia, Basque Country, and Castile and León) and Group 2 by southern and eastern teams (e.g., from Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands), minimizing travel while reinforcing regional rivalries. Among the most stable participants, Unionistas CF and Gimnàstic de Tarragona have appeared in all five seasons through 2025–26, while Cultural Leonesa and CE Sabadell have competed in four each, underscoring their consistent mid-table presence amid the league's churn.[30][31][32]Seasons
Overview of Past Seasons
The Primera Federación, introduced as the third tier of Spanish football for the 2021–22 season, featured two groups of 20 teams each, with the group winners earning automatic promotion to Segunda División and the second- to fifth-placed teams competing in playoffs for additional spots. In the inaugural campaign, Racing de Santander topped Group 1 with 75 points from 38 matches, securing promotion alongside playoff winners Albacete Balompié and Villarreal B, while FC Andorra won Group 2 and also advanced directly. Relegations included UD Logroñés, CD Badajoz, UE Cornellà, and CD El Ejido, marking the transition from the previous Segunda División B structure to the new semi-professional format under RFEF management.[33] The 2022–23 season saw heightened competition, with Racing Ferrol claiming the Group 1 title on 75 points and earning automatic promotion, while SD Amorebieta won Group 2 on goal difference ahead of CD Eldense (both on 69 points) and advanced directly. The playoffs produced notable upsets, as AD Alcorcón (runners-up in Group 1) and Eldense (runners-up in Group 2) secured promotion through dramatic semifinals and finals, with Eldense defeating Castellón 2–1 in the Group 2 final despite being underdogs. Relegations affected teams like SD Ponferradina and UD Tamaraceite, reflecting the league's growing intensity and the impact of reserve team eligibility rules. Amorebieta ultimately crowned overall champions after defeating Racing Ferrol 3–2 on aggregate in the final.[34] In 2023–24, Deportivo La Coruña dominated Group 1 with 82 points from 38 matches, clinching the title and promotion in a season highlighted by record attendances at Riazor, including 31,833 for a key match against Barcelona Atlètic. CD Castellón led Group 2 on 82 points, also gaining automatic promotion, while the playoffs saw Málaga CF and Córdoba CF advance amid controversies over refereeing decisions in high-stakes ties, such as Córdoba's semifinal win over Recreativo de Huelva. Relegations included SD Logroñés and UD Ibiza, underscoring the competitive balance. Deportivo La Coruña then won the overall title by defeating Castellón 6–2 on aggregate in the final. Attendance highs were evident, with Málaga CF averaging 21,951 spectators per match, the highest in the league.[35][36] Across these seasons, the league experienced aggregate trends of increasing average attendance, rising from approximately 2,000 per match in 2021–22 to around 3,500 by 2023–24, driven by passionate fanbases in clubs like Deportivo La Coruña and Málaga CF, alongside growing TV viewership through expanded deals with Movistar and regional broadcasters that boosted accessibility and audience engagement.[37][38]2024–25 Season
The 2024–25 Primera Federación season commenced on 24 August 2024, with the regular league phase concluding in May 2025, followed by promotion playoffs. The season featured intense competition, with [Group 1 champion] earning automatic promotion to the Segunda División alongside [Group 2 champion]. The playoffs resulted in promotions for [playoff winners 1] and [playoff winners 2], while the bottom five teams in each group were relegated to the Segunda Federación. [Overall champion] was crowned after defeating [runner-up] in the final. Key highlights included record attendances and notable managerial changes throughout the campaign. Final attendance averaged approximately [updated figure] per match, continuing the upward trend.[39] Final standings for Group 1:| Position | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Champion] | 38 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 20 | [Last] | 38 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| Position | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Champion] | 38 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 20 | [Last] | 38 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Records and Statistics
Champions
The Primera Federación crowns its overall champion via a two-legged final between the winners of its two regular-season groups, a format established since the league's launch in 2021 to determine the "supercampeón" beyond direct promotion.[40] Each of the four editions to date has produced a unique winner, with no club repeating the honor.[1]2021–22 Season
Racing de Santander claimed the inaugural title after topping Group 1 with 82 points from 38 matches, securing direct promotion alongside their group-winning status.[41] In the final on June 3, 2022, at Estadio de A Malata in Ferrol, they defeated Group 2 winners FC Andorra 3–0, with goals from Cedric (two) and Soko, in front of 11,922 spectators; this victory marked Santander's return to the Segunda División after seven years.[42][43]2022–23 Season
SD Amorebieta earned the championship as Group 2 leaders with 71 points, following a strong campaign that included direct promotion to the Segunda División.[44] The final against Group 1 winners Racing Club Ferrol unfolded over two legs: Amorebieta won the first on June 3, 2023, at Urritxe 3–0 (goals by Unai Buján, Mikel Pradera, and Ewan Urain), then held a 2–0 loss in the return leg on June 10 at A Malata (goals by Javier Murúa and own goal by Andoni López) for a 3–2 aggregate triumph, securing their first top-flight promotion in club history.[45][46]2023–24 Season
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña captured the title as Group 1 champions with 76 points, capping a dominant season that featured 23 wins and direct ascent to the Segunda División.[47] Facing Group 2 winners CD Castellón in the final, they prevailed 2–1 in the first leg on May 29, 2024, at Estadio Riazor (goals by Yeremay Hernández and Lucas Pérez, with Sergio González replying for Castellón), then routed the return leg 4–2 on June 2 at Estadio Castalia (goals by David Mella, Lucas Pérez twice, and Yeremay Hernández; Castellón's via De la Fuente and own goal by David Goldar), for a 6–3 aggregate and their first league crown since 2009–10.[36][48]2024–25 Season
Agrupación Deportiva Ceuta FC became champions as Group 2 toppers with 67 points, highlighted by 17 victories and automatic promotion in their debut Primera Federación campaign. In the final versus Group 1 winners Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa with 65 points, the first leg on May 28, 2025, at Reino de León ended 2–2. Ceuta then won the second leg on May 31 at Alfonso Murube 4–3 (goals by Andy Escudero, Dani Aquino (pen.), Kuki Zalazar, and Rodri Ríos; Leonesa's via Santi Samanes, Antón Escobar, and Luis Chacón) for a 6–5 aggregate, marking the club's historic first national third-tier title and promotion to the Segunda División.[49][50][51]Promotions
The Primera Federación, established as the third tier of Spanish football in the 2021–22 season, promotes four teams to the Segunda División each year: the champions of its two groups earn direct promotion, while two additional teams advance through a playoff system involving the runners-up and other high-placed qualifiers from each group. Over its first four seasons, a total of 16 teams have achieved promotion, reflecting a balanced structure where half ascend directly and half via playoffs. No team had repeated a promotion until Andorra's return in 2024–25, highlighting the competitive nature of the league.[1]2021–22 Season
Direct promotions went to Racing Santander, champions of Group 1 with 82 points, and Andorra, winners of Group 2 on 76 points, marking their debuts in the second tier.[52] In the playoffs, Albacete secured promotion by defeating Deportivo La Coruña 3–1 on aggregate in the final round, returning to Segunda after relegation the prior year. Villarreal B also advanced, overcoming Gimnàstic de Tarragona 2–0 in the decisive match to earn a historic second-tier spot for the club's reserve team.[53]2022–23 Season
Racing Ferrol claimed direct promotion as Group 1 champions with 75 points, ending a 20-year absence from Segunda, while Amorebieta topped Group 2 on 73 points for their first-ever ascent to the second division. Playoff victors included Alcorcón, who defeated Bilbao Athletic 2–0 on aggregate to rebound from recent struggles, and Eldense, who progressed past Real Madrid Castilla via a 4–4 aggregate draw resolved by the away goals rule, achieving three straight promotions from lower divisions.2023–24 Season
Deportivo La Coruña earned direct promotion as Group 1 champions with 78 points, returning to Segunda after two seasons away and drawing on their storied history. Castellón topped Group 2 on 76 points, securing a swift comeback following their 2022–23 relegation. In the playoffs, Málaga advanced by beating Gimnàstic de Tarragona 4–3 on aggregate in extra time during the final, ending a three-year exile from the second tier amid financial challenges. Córdoba also rose, defeating Recreativo de Huelva 2–1 on aggregate to mark their return after a decade outside professional football.[54]2024–25 Season
Cultural Leonesa secured direct promotion as Group 1 champions with 65 points, achieving their first second-tier appearance since 1957. AD Ceuta topped Group 2 on 67 points, making history as the first team based on the African continent to reach Segunda in 45 years.[55] The playoffs saw Andorra regain promotion by overcoming SD Ponferradina 2–1 on aggregate (1–1 first leg, 1–0 second leg), bouncing back from relegation the previous season. Real Sociedad B completed the quartet, defeating Gimnàstic de Tarragona 4–3 on aggregate (3–1 first leg, 1–2 a.e.t. second leg) to become the third reserve team promoted since the league's inception.Top Scorers
The top scorers in the Primera Federación, often referred to as the Pichichi award winners, are determined by goals scored during the regular season across both groups, with playoff goals typically excluded from the official tally.[56]| Season | Top Scorer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Ferran Jutglà | Barcelona Atlètic | 19 |
| 2022–23 | Rodri Ríos | AD Ceuta FC | 20 |
| 2023–24 | Pau Víctor | Barcelona Atlètic | 18 |
| 2024–25 | Gonzalo García | Real Madrid Castilla | 25 |