Liga Profesional Argentina

History

Argentine football boasts one of the oldest leagues in the world outside the British Isles, with its very first championship dating back to 1891 under the Argentine Association Football League. The sport turned professional in 1931, when eighteen clubs broke away from the amateur leagues to form their own professional competition. Since then, the league has changed its name and format many times — Primera División, the Apertura and Clausura tournaments, the Superliga Argentina, and Liga Profesional de Fútbol since 2021 — reflecting recurring tensions between the federation, clubs, and broadcasters. It remains defined by the historic rivalry between River Plate and Boca Juniors, known as the "Superclásico," one of the fiercest rivalries in world football.

Trophy Count

• River Plate — 37 Argentine championship titles — the all-time record, most recently in 2021.
• Boca Juniors — 35 Argentine championship titles, most recently in 2022.
• Racing Club — The league's founding champion, crowned first title of the professional era in 1931.
• Independiente — South America's most decorated club in the Copa Libertadores, with seven continental titles.
• Estudiantes de La Plata — Won the 2025 Torneo Clausura, their 7th domestic title.

Notable Clubs

• River Plate — Nicknamed 'Los Millonarios,' they play at the Estadio Monumental, Argentina's largest stadium.
• Boca Juniors — The club of Buenos Aires' working-class La Boca neighborhood, former home of Diego Maradona and Juan Román Riquelme.
• Racing Club — The first club crowned champion in the professional era of Argentine football, in 1931.
• Independiente — South America's most successful club in the Copa Libertadores, with seven continental titles.
• Vélez Sarsfield — World club champions in 1994, under coach Carlos Bianchi.

Competition Format

Continental Qualification

Frequently Asked Questions