SPANISH AND CATALAN SOCCER  STRUCTURE

WOSPACBarcelona for SPANISH AND CATALAN SOCCER STRUCTURE

Spanish soccer had important changes in the distribution of its categories, a restructuring that started with the 2021-22 season. The professional competitions corresponding to LaLiga Santander and LaLiga Smartbank have been maintained in terms of format; however, the RFEF competitions were reformed. The changes contemplated the creation of the First RFEF, Second RFEF and Third RFEF, leaving behind what we previously knew as Second Division B and the traditional Third Division. Below, we detail it in detail:

– The First Division, the highest category of Spanish soccer belonging to LaLiga Santander it is the TOP professional competition. It is the highest category of Spanish soccer. It is organized by LaLiga. It is contested by 20 teams that face each other in 38 rounds in a round-robin format, with home and away matches. The clubs that occupy the top four places in the LaLiga Santander standings qualify for the Champions League, the fifth-placed team in the first division together with the champion of the Copa de Rey qualifies for the Europa League, and the sixth-placed team for the Conference League. The last three teams on the league table are relegated to LaLiga Smartbank, the second professional division.

– The Second Division, LaLiga Smartbank is a professional level competition, below the first division. It is organized by Spain’s professional soccer league, LaLiga. It is played by 22 teams in 42 rounds, also in a round-robin format, with one home and one away match against each of the rivals. The clubs occupying the top two places in the standings are promoted directly to the first division, LaLiga Santander. The clubs in third through sixth place in the standings will play in a playoff for a place in the first division. The four clubs at the bottom of the table are relegated to the Primera RFEF.

-The Primera RFEF appears as an intermediate division, below professional soccer, but with high competitive quality. It is a category that is close to professionalization, that link clubs to the Second Division of Spanish Football (LaLiga Smartbank). It is equivalent to the third category or the extinct Second B. In this category is UE Cornellà, an entity with which WOSPAC has been working for years. It is made up of 40 teams, divided into two groups of 20, which play home and away matches in 38 rounds. This competition defines who will be promoted to the Second Division. The system for promotion to the Smartbank League in the 2022-23 season will be as follows: the first two places will go to the two first places will go to the two champion clubs of each group. The other two places will be defined after a playoff phase in which eight teams will compete (the eight teams will be drawn from the second to the third place teams in each group).

-90 teams make up the new Second RFEF that compete in 5 groups (according to geographic criteria), of 18 clubs each. They compete in a traditional round-robin tournament, with home and with round-robin matches. This division is equivalent to the fourth category of Spanish soccer, the heir to the Second Division B. The champions of each of the groups of the Second RFEF are promoted to the First RFEF.

-The RFEF Third Division is made up of 324 teams divided into 18 groups of 18 each. There is one group corresponding to each autonomous community, except Andalusia, which has two groups. Tournament all against all in regular phase and playoffs for promotion. The third RFEF has a format similar to what we used to know as the Third Division, competition of which it is heir. It is equivalent to the fifth category of national soccer.

WOSPACMIC for SPANISH AND CATALAN SOCCER STRUCTURE

Below the Third RFEF the divisions are organized by the regional federations, in this case the Catalan Football Federation has the following: First Catalan, Second Catalan, Third Catalan and Fourth Catalan.

The categories of grassroots or formative soccer are those that form the player technically and tactically.
Grassroots soccer is divided into categories according to the age of the players. The maximum age is 19 years old. The categories of grassroots soccer (prior to senior/amateur soccer) in Spain are as follows:

Promesas  (4-5 years old)
7 players
Prebenjamín (6-8 years old)
7 players
Benjamín (9-10 years old)
7 players
Alevín (11-12 years old)
7 players
Infantil (13-14 years old)
11 players
Cadete (15-16 years old)
11 players
Juvenil (17-19 years old)
11 players

What to compare next after SPANISH AND CATALAN SOCCER STRUCTURE

Soccer Academy Barcelona Use Soccer Academy Barcelona to compare the bigger decision that often sits behind SPANISH AND CATALAN SOCCER STRUCTURE with more practical detail. Explore further What Parents and Players Should Look for in a Soccer Academy in Barcelona Read What Parents and Players Should Look for in a Soccer Academy in Barcelona if you want a clearer explanation of the details that sit behind SPANISH AND CATALAN SOCCER STRUCTURE. Read the guide Soccer Academy Barcelona Options: Full Boarding, Short Stay, or Day Program? See Soccer Academy Barcelona Options: Full Boarding, Short Stay, or Day Program? for a calmer side-by-side view of the choices that often follow SPANISH AND CATALAN SOCCER STRUCTURE. Compare the choices When a Barcelona Football Academy Is the Right Next Step for a Young Player When a Barcelona Football Academy Is the Right Next Step for a Young Player brings more context to the sort of situation that often sits behind SPANISH AND CATALAN SOCCER STRUCTURE. See who it suits Football Academy Spain Football Academy Spain helps families compare football development, daily rhythm and overall fit with more clarity. Learn more Soccer Clubs in Barcelona Spain Soccer Clubs in Barcelona Spain adds a clearer football view when you want to compare programme format, player profile and next-step potential. Learn more Elite Football Program Barcelona Use Elite Football Program Barcelona to look more closely at the kind of football environment, support and progression that may suit this decision. Compare the fit Barcelona Football Courses Barcelona Football Courses helps families compare football development, daily rhythm and overall fit with more clarity. Compare the fit Summer sun and Exercise, how to enjoy safely Summer sun and Exercise, how to enjoy safely adds a clearer football view when you want to compare programme format, player profile and next-step potential. Compare the fit Football Programmes and Fees Use Football Programmes and Fees for a clearer view of fees, enrolment steps and the practical decisions that sit around football planning. See the next step

Understanding the Spanish and Catalan competition guide

Which period does this competition guide describe?

The article introduces the restructuring that began in the 2021–22 season and includes promotion details for 2022–23. Read its league names and competition descriptions in that historical context.

How does the article distinguish national and regional competitions?

It describes the national divisions first, then explains that competitions below the Third RFEF are organised by regional federations. Its Catalan examples refer to the structure discussed when the article was published.

How should I read the youth age categories in the article?

The youth categories illustrate how grassroots football is grouped by age in the guide. For a player joining a team, confirm the applicable season and registration category with the club or federation rather than relying on the historical table alone.

What needs checking before using this guide to plan a football stay?

Confirm the current competition structure, the club’s division and the player’s registration position with the relevant club or federation. The article provides background to the earlier restructuring and does not establish a current-season place or eligibility decision.