An In-Depth Overview of Colombia’s Categoría Primera A-The Categoría Primera A, commonly referred to as Liga BetPlay Dimayor for sponsorship reasons, stands as Colombia’s premier professional football division. Established in 1948, it has a rich history of fostering talent and delivering captivating football to fans both domestically and internationally.
Structure and Format of the 2025 Season
The 2025 season is structured into two distinct tournaments:
Torneo Apertura: This tournament commenced on January 24, 2025, and is slated to conclude on June 28, 2025.
Torneo Finalización: Following a mid-season break, this tournament is scheduled to begin on July 15, 2025, and wrap up on December 14, 2025.
Each tournament is organized into three primary stages:
First Stage: All 20 participating teams compete against each other once.
Semi-Final Stage (Cuadrangulares): The top eight teams from the First Stage are divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from the First Stage are seeded into separate groups. Each group engages in a round-robin format, and the leading teams from each group advance to the finals.
Finals: The winners of the semi-final groups face off in a two-legged final to determine the tournament champion.
An interesting feature of the 2025 season is the reinstatement of regional derby match days in the First Stage, which were omitted in the previous season due to scheduling constraints.
Participating Teams
The 2025 season features 20 teams:
Atlético Nacional
Millonarios
América de Cali
Deportivo Cali
Independiente Santa Fe
Atlético Junior Barranquilla
Deportes Tolima
Once Caldas
Deportivo Pasto
Independiente Medellín
Alianza Fútbol Club
La Equidad
Boyacá Chicó
Envigado FC
Fortaleza CEIF
Atlético Bucaramanga
Águilas Doradas
Union Magdalena
Llaneros
Deportivo Pereira
Notably, Unión Magdalena and Llaneros joined the Primera A this season after securing promotion from the Primera B, replacing Jaguares and Patriotas, who were relegated.
Recent Performance and Standings
As of March 6, 2025, the standings in the Torneo Apertura are as follows:
Deportiva Once Caldas:
Played: 6
Wins: 4
Draws: 0
Losses: 2
Goals For: 8
Goals Against: 9
Goal Difference: -1
Points: 12
América de Cali:
Played: 5
Wins: 3
Draws: 2
Losses: 0
Goals For: 11
Goals Against: 4
Goal Difference: +7
Points: 11
Deportivo Pasto:
Played: 7
Wins: 3
Draws: 1
Losses: 3
Goals For: 7
Goals Against: 6
Goal Difference: +1
Points: 10
Atlético Junior Barranquilla:
Played: 7
Wins: 2
Draws: 4
Losses: 1
Goals For: 8
Goals Against: 5
Goal Difference: +3
Points: 10
FAQS
The Categoría Primera A, also known as Liga BetPlay Dimayor, is Colombia’s premier professional football league. Established in 1948, it features 20 teams competing in a season that typically runs from January to December. The 2025 season is scheduled from January 24 to December 14, 2025.
How is the Categoría Primera A season structured?
The season is divided into two tournaments:
Torneo Apertura: The first tournament of the season, beginning on January 24, 2025, and ending on June 28, 2025.
Torneo Finalización: The second tournament, following a similar format, starts after the conclusion of the Apertura.
Each tournament consists of three stages:
First Stage: All 20 teams play against each other once, with an additional match against a regional rival.
Semi-Final Stage (Cuadrangulares): The top eight teams are split into two groups of four, competing in a round-robin format.
Finals: The winners of each semi-final group face off in a two-legged final to determine the tournament champion.
The champions of both tournaments, along with the top teams in the aggregate table, qualify for international competitions like the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
Who are the defending champions?
Atlético Nacional enters the 2025 season as the defending champions, having won the 2024 Torneo Finalización.
How can I find the schedule and fixtures for the 2025 season?
Detailed schedules and fixtures are available on various sports platforms, including ESPN and FOX Sports. For example, ESPN provides a comprehensive schedule for the Colombian Primera A, including match dates and times.
Who are the top goal scorers in the 2025 season so far?
As of March 6, 2025, the leading goal scorers are:
Leyser Chaverra Renteria: 3 goals
Rodrigo Holgado: 3 goals
Kevin Stiben Viveros Rodallega: 3 goals
Edwin Cardona: 4 goals
These statistics are based on the latest available data from AiScore.
How can I watch live matches and highlights?
Live matches and highlights are broadcast on various platforms:
Television: In Colombia, matches are aired on channels like Caracol Televisión and RCN Televisión. Internationally, networks such as ESPN and FOX Sports may provide coverage.
Streaming Services: Platforms like Win Sports+ offer live streaming of matches, including replays and highlights.
YouTube: Official club channels and sports networks upload match highlights and full replays.
How can I stay updated with the latest news and statistics?
To stay informed about the Categoría Primera A:
Official Websites: Visit the Dimayor official website for official announcements and updates.
Sports News Outlets: Follow reputable sports news outlets like ESPN and FOX Sports for the latest news, statistics, and analyses.
Social Media: Follow official league and club social media accounts for real-time updates and engaging content.
For a visual overview of the Categoría Primera A, including highlights and historical moments, you might find this video insightful:
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