Liga BetPlay Set for Format Changes Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Colombian professional football is preparing for significant changes to the Liga BetPlay format, beginning in 2026, largely driven by the need to conclude the league season prior to the 2026 World Cup. Dimayor president Carlos Mario zuluaga outlined the planned adjustments in a recent interview with Caracol Radio.
A key change under consideration is the elimination of the current “home run” (all vs.all within groups) stage. Zuluaga indicated a shift towards a direct elimination tournament system, ofen referred to as a “kills” or knockout format, is being proposed. The 2026 league season is currently scheduled to begin in the second week of January and conclude in the first week of June, presenting challenges for club preseason preparations. The new format aims to mitigate these issues and potentially avoid scheduling clashes with conventional rivalry matches (“clásicos”).
beyond the immediate format adjustments for 2026,Dimayor is also planning substantial changes to the relegation and promotion system,slated to take effect in 2027. The plan involves increasing the number of teams relegated from the liga BetPlay to the Primera B to three, while only allowing one team to be promoted. However, the relegation system based on average points will remain in place.
Further down the line, the Primera B tournament will transition to a single championship per year. Looking ahead, there is discussion about potentially expanding both relegation and promotion to three teams annually.
These adjustments are intended to ultimately reduce the number of teams in the Liga BetPlay to 18 by 2028. Zuluaga believes these changes will enhance the league’s competitiveness and global perception, positioning Colombian football as a “modern league” focused on entertainment and a high-quality product.The changes will be implemented over a three-year period, beginning in 2026, to allow clubs to adapt and improve their competitive levels.
