Primera Nacional 2026: Draw date set, here’s how the new format will work | OneFootball

The Primera Nacional 2026 is starting to take shape: on December 22, the draw will be held to determine the formation of the two zones. Just like this year, the championship will feature 36 teams, divided into two groups of 18, with a 34-match fixture, playing each other home and away.

The promotion system remains unchanged. The first promotion will go to the winner of the final between the leaders of each zone. The second will be decided through the “Reducido,” where the top eight from each group, plus the loser of the final, will participate, repeating the format used this year.

Regarding relegation, the bottom team from each zone will be relegated directly to Primera B or Federal A.

The tournament will kick off on the first weekend of February and will be played even during the World Cup. In addition, there will be a two-week break between the first and second rounds. The AFA is also considering a new mini-tournament for the clubs that do not qualify for the Reducido, with the possibility of competing for spots in the 2027 Copa Argentina, although no firm decision has been made yet.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.