2026 AFA Liga Profesional de Fútbol

2026 AFA Liga Profesional de Fútbol

The 2026 Liga Profesional de Fútbol (officially the Torneo Mercado Libre 2026 for sponsorship reasons) is the 136th season of top-flight professional football in Argentina. The league season began on 22 January and will end on 13 December 2026.

Thirty teams will compete in the league: twenty-eight returning from the 2025 season as well as two promoted teams from the 2025 Primera Nacional (Gimnasia y Esgrima (M) and Estudiantes (RC), who were promoted after an absence of 41 and 40 years respectively). Estudiantes (LP) entered the season as the defending champions after winning the 2025 Torneo Clausura.

While the Torneo Apertura was taking place, the executive committee of the Liga Profesional de Fútbol unanimously decided on 23 February 2026 to postpone the ninth round of the tournament, which was scheduled to take place between 5 and 8 March 2026, in response to the legal investigation by ARCA (Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero) against AFA regarding the nonpayment of social security contributions in 2024 and 2025. The round was rescheduled for the first week of May.

Competition format

2026 AFA Liga Profesional de Fútbol

The competition format for this season will consist of two tournaments (Torneo Apertura and Torneo Clausura) each with five stages. In the first stage, the thirty teams were divided into two groups of fifteen teams each and will play in a single round-robin format. Additionally, each team will play two inter-zone matches: against its rival from the other zone, and the second against a second team, determined by a draw. The top eight teams in each group will advance to the round of 16. The final stages (round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final) will be played on a single-leg basis.

The winners of the Torneo Apertura and Torneo Clausura will qualify for the 2027 Copa Libertadores as Argentina 1 and Argentina 2, respectively. Qualification for international tournaments will be determined by the overall standings of the 2026 Primera División.

A new league title, "Campeón de Liga", was created for the team with the most points in the aggregate table. Although the title was established at the end of 2025, it was awarded retroactively to Rosario Central that same year.

This season, two teams will be relegated to the Primera Nacional. One team will be relegated based on coefficients, and the team that finishes last in the 2026 aggregate table will also be relegated.

Club information

Stadia and locations

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>City</th><th>Stadium</th><th>Capacity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Aldosivi</td><td>Mar del Plata</td><td>José María Minella</td><td>35,180</td></tr><tr><td>Argentinos Juniors</td><td>Buenos Aires</td><td>Diego Armando Maradona</td><td>25,000</td></tr><tr><td>Atlético Tucumán</td><td>Tucumán</td><td>Monumental José Fierro</td><td>32,700</td></tr><tr><td>Banfield</td><td>Banfield</td><td>Florencio Sola</td><td>21,820</td></tr><tr><td>Barracas Central</td><td>Buenos Aires</td><td>Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia</td><td>4,400</td></tr><tr><td>Belgrano</td><td>Córdoba</td><td>Julio César Villagra</td><td>30,000</td></tr><tr><td>Boca Juniors</td><td>Buenos Aires</td><td>La Bombonera</td><td>54,000</td></tr><tr><td>Central Córdoba (SdE)</td><td>Santiago del Estero</td><td>Único Madre de Ciudades</td><td>34,000</td></tr><tr><td>Alfredo Terrera</td><td>16,000</td></tr><tr><td>Defensa y Justicia</td><td>Florencio Varela</td><td>Norberto "Tito" Tomaghello</td><td>12,000</td></tr><tr><td>Deportivo Riestra</td><td>Buenos Aires</td><td>Guillermo Laza</td><td>3,000</td></tr><tr><td>Estudiantes (LP)</td><td>La Plata</td><td>Jorge Luis Hirschi</td><td>30,000</td></tr><tr><td>Estudiantes (RC)</td><td>Río Cuarto</td><td>Ciudad de Río Cuarto Antonio Candini</td><td>12,000</td></tr><tr><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)</td><td>La Plata</td><td>Juan Carmelo Zerillo</td><td>26,544</td></tr><tr><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (M)</td><td>Mendoza</td><td>Víctor Legrotaglie</td><td>11,000</td></tr><tr><td>Huracán</td><td>Buenos Aires</td><td>Tomás Adolfo Ducó</td><td>48,314</td></tr><tr><td>Independiente</td><td>Avellaneda</td><td>Libertadores de América - Ricardo Enrique Bochini</td><td>52,853</td></tr><tr><td>Independiente Rivadavia</td><td>Mendoza</td><td>Bautista Gargantini</td><td>24,000</td></tr><tr><td>Instituto</td><td>Córdoba</td><td>Juan Domingo Perón</td><td>26,535</td></tr><tr><td>Lanús</td><td>Lanús</td><td>Ciudad de Lanús - Néstor Díaz Pérez</td><td>47,090</td></tr><tr><td>Newell's Old Boys</td><td>Rosario</td><td>Marcelo Bielsa</td><td>38,095</td></tr><tr><td>Platense</td><td>Florida Este</td><td>Ciudad de Vicente López</td><td>22,530</td></tr><tr><td>Racing</td><td>Avellaneda</td><td>El Cilindro</td><td>55,880</td></tr><tr><td>River Plate</td><td>Buenos Aires</td><td>Mâs Monumental</td><td>83,196</td></tr><tr><td>Rosario Central</td><td>Rosario</td><td>Gigante de Arroyito</td><td>41,654</td></tr><tr><td>San Lorenzo</td><td>Buenos Aires</td><td>Pedro Bidegain</td><td>39,494</td></tr><tr><td>Sarmiento (J)</td><td>Junín</td><td>Eva Perón</td><td>19,000</td></tr><tr><td>Talleres (C)</td><td>Córdoba</td><td>Mario Alberto Kempes</td><td>57,000</td></tr><tr><td>Tigre</td><td>Victoria</td><td>José Dellagiovanna</td><td>26,282</td></tr><tr><td>Unión</td><td>Santa Fe</td><td>15 de Abril</td><td>22,852</td></tr><tr><td>Vélez Sarsfield</td><td>Buenos Aires</td><td>José Amalfitani</td><td>49,540</td></tr></tbody></table>

Personnel and sponsoring

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Manager</th><th>Kit manufacturer</th><th>Shirt sponsors (front)</th><th>Other sponsors</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Aldosivi</td><td>Israel Damonte</td><td>Kappa</td><td>Rapicuotas</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Argentinos Juniors</td><td>Nicolás Diez</td><td>Umbro</td><td>Rapicuotas</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Atlético Tucumán</td><td>Julio César Falcioni</td><td>Kappa</td><td>Caja Popular de Ahorros</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Banfield</td><td>Pedro Troglio</td><td>Macron</td><td>None</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Barracas Central</td><td>Rubén Darío Insúa</td><td>Retiel</td><td>None</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Belgrano</td><td>Ricardo Zielinski</td><td>Umbro</td><td>Banco Macro</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Boca Juniors</td><td>Claudio Úbeda</td><td>Adidas</td><td>Betsson</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Central Córdoba (SdE)</td><td>Lucas Pusineri</td><td>Adhoc</td><td>Banco Santiago del Estero</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Defensa y Justicia</td><td>Mariano Soso</td><td>KDY</td><td>Rapicuotas</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Deportivo Riestra</td><td>Gustavo Benítez</td><td>Adidas</td><td>Speed Unlimited</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Estudiantes (LP)</td><td>Alexander Medina</td><td>RUGE</td><td>Banco Supervielle</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Estudiantes (RC)</td><td>Gerardo Acuña (caretaker)</td><td>IFK Sports</td><td>None</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)</td><td>Fernando Zaniratto</td><td>Givova</td><td>Correo OCA</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (M)</td><td>Darío Franco</td><td>Mitre</td><td>Banco Macro</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Huracán</td><td>Diego Martínez</td><td>Kappa</td><td>Jeluz</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Independiente</td><td>Gustavo Quinteros</td><td>Puma</td><td>Sportsbet</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Independiente Rivadavia</td><td>Alfredo Berti</td><td>AIFIT</td><td>Sportsbet</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Instituto</td><td>Diego Flores</td><td>Givova</td><td>Banco Macro</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Lanús</td><td>Mauricio Pellegrino</td><td>Umbro</td><td>Mapei</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Newell's Old Boys</td><td>Frank Kudelka</td><td>AIFIT</td><td>City Center Online</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Platense</td><td>Walter Zunino</td><td>Puma</td><td>Planes ESCO</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Racing</td><td>Gustavo Costas</td><td>Kappa</td><td>Betsson</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>River Plate</td><td>Eduardo Coudet</td><td>Adidas</td><td>Betano</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Rosario Central</td><td>Jorge Almirón</td><td>Le Coq Sportif</td><td>City Center Online</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>San Lorenzo</td><td>Gustavo Álvarez</td><td>Atomik</td><td>None</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Sarmiento (J)</td><td>Facundo Sava</td><td>KION</td><td>Naldo Digital</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Talleres (C)</td><td>Carlos Tevez</td><td>Le Coq Sportif</td><td>Holcim</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Tigre</td><td>Diego Dabove</td><td>Kappa</td><td>Banco Macro</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Unión</td><td>Leonardo Madelón</td><td>Givova</td><td>OSPAT</td><td>List</td></tr><tr><td>Vélez Sarsfield</td><td>Guillermo Barros Schelotto</td><td>Macron</td><td>Saphirus</td><td>List</td></tr></tbody></table>

Managerial changes

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Outgoing manager</th><th>Manner of departure</th><th>Date of vacancy</th><th>Position in table</th><th>Replaced by</th><th>Date of appointment</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Newell's Old Boys</td><td>Lucas Bernardi</td><td>End of caretaker spell</td><td>16 November 2025</td><td>Pre-season</td><td>Favio Orsi and Sergio Gómez</td><td>19 December 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Platense</td><td>Hernán Lamberti and Guillermo Báez</td><td>17 November 2025</td><td>Walter Zunino</td><td>24 November 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Huracán</td><td>Frank Kudelka</td><td>End of contract</td><td>18 November 2025</td><td>Diego Martínez</td><td>3 December 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Central Córdoba (SdE)</td><td>Omar De Felippe</td><td>1 December 2025</td><td>Lucas Pusineri</td><td>5 December 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Rosario Central</td><td>Ariel Holan</td><td>11 December 2025</td><td>Jorge Almirón</td><td>15 December 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Torneo Apertura changes</td></tr><tr><td>Instituto</td><td>Daniel Oldrá</td><td>Mutual agreement</td><td>26 January 2026</td><td>15th Zone A</td><td>Diego Flores 1</td><td>12 February 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Estudiantes (LP)</td><td>Eduardo Domínguez</td><td>Signed by Atlético Mineiro</td><td>20 February 2026</td><td>1st Zone A</td><td>Alexander Medina</td><td>23 February 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Newell's Old Boys</td><td>Favio Orsi and Sergio Gómez</td><td>Sacked</td><td>21 February 2026</td><td>15th Zone A</td><td>Frank Kudelka 2</td><td>26 February 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Atlético Tucumán</td><td>Hugo Colace</td><td>25 February 2026</td><td>12th Zone B</td><td>Julio César Falcioni 3</td><td>4 March 2026</td></tr><tr><td>River Plate</td><td>Marcelo Gallardo</td><td>Resigned</td><td>26 February 2026</td><td>5th Zone B</td><td>Eduardo Coudet 4</td><td>4 March 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Estudiantes (RC)</td><td>Iván Delfino</td><td>Sacked</td><td>13 March 2026</td><td>15th Zone B</td><td>Gerardo Acuña 5</td><td>14 March 2026</td></tr><tr><td>San Lorenzo</td><td>Damián Ayude</td><td>17 March 2026</td><td>9th Zone A</td><td>Gustavo Álvarez 6</td><td>22 March 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Aldosivi</td><td>Guillermo Farré</td><td>17 March 2026</td><td>14th Zone B</td><td>Israel Damonte 7</td><td>26 March 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (M)</td><td>Ariel Broggi</td><td>Mutual agreement</td><td>23 March 2026</td><td>13th Zone A</td><td>Darío Franco</td><td>28 March 2026</td></tr></tbody></table>

Foreign players

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Player 1</th><th>Player 2</th><th>Player 3</th><th>Player 4</th><th>Player 5</th><th>Player 6</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Aldosivi</td><td>Junior Arias</td><td>Mauro Da Luz</td><td>Federico Gino</td><td>Fernando Román</td><td>Alejandro Villarreal</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Argentinos Juniors</td><td>Brayan Cortés</td><td>Ryōga Kida</td><td>Leandro Lozano</td><td>Iván Morales</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Atlético Tucumán</td><td>Javier Domínguez</td><td>Clever Ferreira</td><td>Franco Nicola</td><td>Maximiliano Villa</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Banfield</td><td>Danilo Arboleda</td><td>Mauro Méndez</td><td>Neyder Moreno</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Barracas Central</td><td>Rodrigo Bogarín</td><td>Jhonatan Candia</td><td>Juan Espínola</td><td>Yeison Gordillo</td><td>Yonatthan Rak</td><td>Wilfredo Rivera</td></tr><tr><td>Belgrano</td><td>Alcides Benítez</td><td>Thiago Cardozo</td><td>Federico Ricca</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Boca Juniors</td><td>Adam Bareiro</td><td>Edinson Cavani</td><td>Ander Herrera</td><td>Carlos Palacios</td><td>Ángel Romero</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Central Córdoba (SdE)</td><td>Sebastián Cristóforo</td><td>Michael Santos</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Defensa y Justicia</td><td>David Fernández</td><td>Cristopher Fiermarin</td><td>Luciano González</td><td>Juan Manuel Gutiérrez</td><td>César Pérez</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Deportivo Riestra</td><td>Johnson Nsumoh</td><td>Yeison Murillo</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Estudiantes (LP)</td><td>Edwuin Cetré</td><td>Gabriel Neves</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Estudiantes (RC)</td><td>Renzo Bacchia</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)</td><td>Enzo Martínez</td><td>Juan José Pérez</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (M)</td><td>Blas Armoa</td><td>Juan José Franco</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Huracán</td><td>Jordy Caicedo</td><td>Óscar Cortés</td><td>Óscar Romero</td><td>Facundo Waller</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Independiente</td><td>Matías Abaldo</td><td>Santiago Arias</td><td>Gabriel Ávalos</td><td>Rodrigo Fernández</td><td>Maximiliano Gutiérrez</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Independiente Rivadavia</td><td>Álex Arce</td><td>Leonard Costa</td><td>José Florentín</td><td>Sebastián Villa</td><td>Iván Villalba</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Instituto</td><td>Jhon Córdoba</td><td>Matias Fonseca</td><td>Nicolás Guerra</td><td>Manuel Romero</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lanús</td><td>José Canale</td><td>Ronaldo Dejesús</td><td>Raúl Loaiza</td><td>Gonzalo Pérez</td><td>Matías Sepúlveda</td><td>Yoshan Valois</td></tr><tr><td>Newell's Old Boys</td><td>Matías Cóccaro</td><td>Ignacio Ramírez</td><td>Saúl Salcedo</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Platense</td><td>Martín Barrios</td><td>Héctor Bobadilla</td><td>Agustín Ocampo</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Racing</td><td>Gastón Martirena</td><td>Damián Pizarro</td><td>Duván Vergara</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>River Plate</td><td>Kevin Castaño</td><td>Kendry Páez</td><td>Juan Fernando Quintero</td><td>Matías Viña</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rosario Central</td><td>Jaminton Campaz</td><td>Enzo Giménez</td><td>Facundo Mallo</td><td>Vicente Pizarro</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>San Lorenzo</td><td>Guzmán Corujo</td><td>Mathías De Ritis</td><td>Orlando Gill</td><td>Diego Herazo</td><td>Jhohan Romaña</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sarmiento (J)</td><td>Ulises Delgado</td><td>Osmar Giménez</td><td>Junior Marabel</td><td>Renzo Orihuela</td><td>Jhon Rentería</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Talleres (C)</td><td>Alexandro Maidana</td><td>Ronaldo Martínez</td><td>Rick</td><td>Rodrigo Guth</td><td>Diego Valoyes</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tigre</td><td>Ramón Arias</td><td>Alfio Oviedo</td><td>Guillermo Soto</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Unión</td><td>Emiliano Álvarez</td><td>Maizon Rodríguez</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Vélez Sarsfield</td><td>Claudio Baeza</td><td>Álvaro Montero</td><td>Diego Valdés</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Draw

2026 AFA Liga Profesional de Fútbol

The draw for the group stages was held on 10 December 2025, 12:00, at the AFA Futsal Stadium in Ezeiza. The 30 teams were divided into two groups of fifteen, with one team from each of the interzonal matches.

Torneo Apertura

2026 AFA Liga Profesional de Fútbol

The 2026 Torneo Apertura (officially the Torneo Apertura Mercado Libre 2026 for sponsorship reasons) is the first tournament of the 2026 season. It began on 22 January and will end on 24 May 2026.

Group stage

In the group stage, each group will be played on a single round-robin basis. In addition, each team will play two inter-zone matches: the first against its rival from the other zone, and the second, in the sixth round, against a second team determined by a draw. Teams will be ranked according to the following criteria: 1. Points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss); 2. Goal difference; 3. Goals scored; 4. Head-to-head results; 5. Fair play ranking; 6. Draw.

The top eight teams of each group will advance to the round of 16.

Zone A

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>D</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Qualification</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Vélez Sarsfield</td><td>11</td><td>6</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>12</td><td>6</td><td>+6</td><td>22</td><td>Advance to round of 16</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Estudiantes (LP)</td><td>11</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>14</td><td>5</td><td>+9</td><td>21</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Defensa y Justicia</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>15</td><td>8</td><td>+7</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Lanús</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>17</td><td>14</td><td>+3</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Talleres (C)</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>12</td><td>10</td><td>+2</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Boca Juniors</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>13</td><td>7</td><td>+6</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Unión</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>16</td><td>12</td><td>+4</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Independiente</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>17</td><td>15</td><td>+2</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>San Lorenzo</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>11</td><td>12</td><td>−1</td><td>14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Platense</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>−1</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Central Córdoba (SdE)</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>12</td><td>−7</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Instituto</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>6</td><td>11</td><td>15</td><td>−4</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (M)</td><td>11</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>6</td><td>13</td><td>−7</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Deportivo Riestra</td><td>11</td><td>0</td><td>7</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>7</td><td>−4</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Newell's Old Boys</td><td>11</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>7</td><td>7</td><td>22</td><td>−15</td><td>6</td></tr></tbody></table>

Zone B

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Independiente Rivadavia	11	7	2	2	18	12	+6	23	Advance to round of 16
2	River Plate	11	6	2	3	14	9	+5	20
3	Argentinos Juniors	11	5	5	1	10	5	+5	20
4	Belgrano	11	5	4	2	12	9	+3	19
5	Racing	11	5	3	3	15	10	+5	18
6	Rosario Central	11	5	3	3	12	9	+3	18
7	Tigre	11	4	5	2	16	10	+6	17
8	Barracas Central	11	4	4	3	10	9	+1	16
9	Huracán	11	3	5	3	9	9	0	14
10	Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)	11	4	2	5	13	15	−2	14
11	Banfield	11	4	1	6	12	13	−1	13
12	Sarmiento (J)	11	4	1	6	8	11	−3	13
13	Atlético Tucumán	11	2	3	6	12	16	−4	9
14	Aldosivi	11	0	5	6	3	13	−10	5
15	Estudiantes (RC)	11	1	1	9	3	17	−14	4

Results

In the group stage, teams will play every other team in their group once (either home or away), plus two interzonal games, for a total of 16 rounds.

Interzonal matches

Source: AFA Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Final stages

Starting from the round of 16, the teams will play a single-elimination tournament on a single-leg basis with the following rules:

• In the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, the higher seed will be the host team. However, the final will be played at a neutral venue. • If tied, extra time will be played. If the score is still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out will be used to determine the champions.

Torneo Clausura

2026 AFA Liga Profesional de Fútbol

The 2026 Torneo Clausura (officially the Torneo Clausura Mercado Libre 2026 for sponsorship reasons) will be the second tournament of the 2026 season. It will begin on 26 July and will end on 13 December 2026.

Group stage

In the group stage, each group will be played on a single round-robin basis. In addition, each team will play two inter-zone matches: the first against its rival from the other zone, and the second, in the sixth round, against a second team determined by a draw. Teams will be ranked according to the following criteria: 1. Points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss); 2. Goal difference; 3. Goals scored; 4. Head-to-head results; 5. Fair play ranking; 6. Draw.

The top eight teams of each group will advance to the round of 16. Teams in relegation or in the relegation play-offs will not be eligible to play in the final stages.

Zone A

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>D</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Qualification</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Boca Juniors</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Advance to round of 16</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Central Córdoba (SdE)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Defensa y Justicia</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Deportivo Riestra</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Estudiantes (LP)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (M)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Independiente</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Instituto</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Lanús</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Newell's Old Boys</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Platense</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>San Lorenzo</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Talleres (C)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Unión</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Vélez Sarsfield</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr></tbody></table>

Zone B

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Aldosivi	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Advance to round of 16
2	Argentinos Juniors	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Atlético Tucumán	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Banfield	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Barracas Central	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Belgrano	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Estudiantes (RC)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Huracán	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Independiente Rivadavia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Racing	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	River Plate	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
13	Rosario Central	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Sarmiento (J)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
15	Tigre	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Results

In the group stage, teams will play every other team in their group once (either home or away), plus two interzonal games, for a total of 16 rounds.

Interzonal matches

Source: AFA Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Final stages

Starting from the round of 16, the teams will play a single-elimination tournament on a single-leg basis with the following rules:

• In the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, the higher seed will be the host team. However, the final will be played at a neutral venue. • If tied, extra time will be played. If the score is still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out will be used to determine the champions.

Aggregate table

International qualification

The 2026 Torneo Apertura champions, 2026 Torneo Clausura champions and 2026 Copa Argentina champions will earn a berth to the 2027 Copa Libertadores. The remaining berths to the 2027 Copa Libertadores as well as the ones to the 2027 Copa Sudamericana will be determined by an aggregate table from the group stages of the 2026 Torneo Apertura and 2026 Torneo Clausura. The top three teams in the aggregate table not already qualified for any international tournament will qualify for the Copa Libertadores, while the next six teams will qualify for the Copa Sudamericana.

Relegation

In this season, the bottom team of the aggregate table will be relegated to the 2027 Primera Nacional. If two or more teams are level on points, extra matches will be played to decide which team would be relegated.

Campeón de Liga

The team with the most points in the aggregate table will be awarded the league title of "Campeón de Liga".

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>D</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Qualification or relegation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Independiente Rivadavia</td><td>11</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>18</td><td>12</td><td>+6</td><td>23</td><td>Qualification for Copa Libertadores group stage</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Vélez Sarsfield</td><td>11</td><td>6</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>12</td><td>6</td><td>+6</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Estudiantes (LP)</td><td>11</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>14</td><td>5</td><td>+9</td><td>21</td><td>Qualification for Copa Libertadores second stage</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>River Plate</td><td>11</td><td>6</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>14</td><td>9</td><td>+5</td><td>20</td><td>Qualification for Copa Sudamericana group stage</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Argentinos Juniors</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>10</td><td>5</td><td>+5</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Defensa y Justicia</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>15</td><td>8</td><td>+7</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Belgrano</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>12</td><td>9</td><td>+3</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Racing</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>15</td><td>10</td><td>+5</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Lanús</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>17</td><td>14</td><td>+3</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Rosario Central</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>12</td><td>9</td><td>+3</td><td>18</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Talleres (C)</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>12</td><td>10</td><td>+2</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Tigre</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>16</td><td>10</td><td>+6</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Boca Juniors</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>13</td><td>7</td><td>+6</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Unión</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>16</td><td>12</td><td>+4</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Barracas Central</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>10</td><td>9</td><td>+1</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Independiente</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>17</td><td>15</td><td>+2</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>Huracán</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>9</td><td>9</td><td>0</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>San Lorenzo</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>11</td><td>12</td><td>−1</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Platense</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>−1</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>13</td><td>15</td><td>−2</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>Banfield</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>12</td><td>13</td><td>−1</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>Sarmiento (J)</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>8</td><td>11</td><td>−3</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>23</td><td>Central Córdoba (SdE)</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>12</td><td>−7</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>24</td><td>Instituto</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>6</td><td>11</td><td>15</td><td>−4</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>Atlético Tucumán</td><td>11</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>12</td><td>16</td><td>−4</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>26</td><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (M)</td><td>11</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>6</td><td>13</td><td>−7</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>27</td><td>Deportivo Riestra</td><td>11</td><td>0</td><td>7</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>7</td><td>−4</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>28</td><td>Newell's Old Boys</td><td>11</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>7</td><td>7</td><td>22</td><td>−15</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>29</td><td>Aldosivi</td><td>11</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>13</td><td>−10</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>Estudiantes (RC)</td><td>11</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>9</td><td>3</td><td>17</td><td>−14</td><td>4</td><td>Relegation to Primera Nacional</td></tr></tbody></table>

Relegation based on coefficients

2026 AFA Liga Profesional de Fútbol

In addition to the relegation based on the aggregate table, one team will be relegated at the end of the season based on coefficients, which will take into consideration the points obtained by the clubs during the present season (aggregate table points) and the two previous seasons (only seasons at the top flight will be counted). The total tally will be then divided by the number of games played in the top flight over those three seasons, and an average will be calculated. The team with the worst average at the end of the season will be relegated to Primera Nacional.

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>2024 Pts</th><th>2025 Pts</th><th>2026 Pts</th><th>Total Pts</th><th>Total Pld</th><th>Avg</th><th>Relegation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Boca Juniors</td><td>67</td><td>62</td><td>17</td><td>146</td><td>84</td><td>1.738</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>River Plate</td><td>70</td><td>53</td><td>20</td><td>143</td><td>84</td><td>1.702</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Racing</td><td>70</td><td>53</td><td>18</td><td>141</td><td>84</td><td>1.679</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Vélez Sarsfield</td><td>76</td><td>40</td><td>22</td><td>138</td><td>84</td><td>1.643</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Argentinos Juniors</td><td>56</td><td>57</td><td>20</td><td>133</td><td>84</td><td>1.583</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Rosario Central</td><td>47</td><td>66</td><td>18</td><td>131</td><td>84</td><td>1.56</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Lanús</td><td>59</td><td>50</td><td>18</td><td>127</td><td>84</td><td>1.512</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Estudiantes (LP)</td><td>63</td><td>42</td><td>21</td><td>126</td><td>84</td><td>1.5</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Independiente</td><td>63</td><td>47</td><td>14</td><td>124</td><td>84</td><td>1.476</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Talleres (C)</td><td>72</td><td>34</td><td>18</td><td>124</td><td>84</td><td>1.476</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Huracán</td><td>62</td><td>47</td><td>14</td><td>123</td><td>84</td><td>1.464</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Defensa y Justicia</td><td>58</td><td>38</td><td>19</td><td>115</td><td>84</td><td>1.369</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Unión</td><td>60</td><td>39</td><td>16</td><td>115</td><td>84</td><td>1.369</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Barracas Central</td><td>49</td><td>49</td><td>16</td><td>114</td><td>84</td><td>1.357</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Independiente Rivadavia</td><td>46</td><td>43</td><td>23</td><td>112</td><td>84</td><td>1.333</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>San Lorenzo</td><td>45</td><td>51</td><td>14</td><td>110</td><td>84</td><td>1.31</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>Deportivo Riestra</td><td>48</td><td>52</td><td>7</td><td>107</td><td>84</td><td>1.274</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>Platense</td><td>57</td><td>35</td><td>14</td><td>106</td><td>84</td><td>1.262</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Belgrano</td><td>49</td><td>37</td><td>19</td><td>105</td><td>84</td><td>1.25</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>Tigre</td><td>39</td><td>49</td><td>17</td><td>105</td><td>84</td><td>1.25</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)</td><td>48</td><td>38</td><td>14</td><td>100</td><td>84</td><td>1.19</td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>Instituto</td><td>53</td><td>34</td><td>11</td><td>98</td><td>84</td><td>1.167</td></tr><tr><td>23</td><td>Central Córdoba (SdE)</td><td>42</td><td>42</td><td>12</td><td>96</td><td>84</td><td>1.143</td></tr><tr><td>24</td><td>Atlético Tucumán</td><td>50</td><td>34</td><td>9</td><td>93</td><td>84</td><td>1.107</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>Banfield</td><td>41</td><td>35</td><td>13</td><td>89</td><td>84</td><td>1.06</td></tr><tr><td>26</td><td>Newell's Old Boys</td><td>49</td><td>33</td><td>6</td><td>88</td><td>84</td><td>1.048</td></tr><tr><td>27</td><td>Sarmiento (J)</td><td>35</td><td>35</td><td>13</td><td>83</td><td>84</td><td>0.988</td></tr><tr><td>28</td><td>Aldosivi</td><td>—</td><td>33</td><td>5</td><td>38</td><td>43</td><td>0.884</td></tr><tr><td>29</td><td>Gimnasia y Esgrima (M)</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>9</td><td>9</td><td>11</td><td>0.818</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>Estudiantes (RC)</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>11</td><td>0.364</td><td>Relegation to Primera Nacional</td></tr></tbody></table>