Sandnes Ulf vs Stabaek on 10 May
The Uruguayan Football Association has announced that the 2026 season will be played under a new format. The top division will now feature 16 clubs, a reduction from the previous 18. Each team will play 30 matches in the regular season, followed by the playoff stage to determine the champions of the Apertura and Clausura tournaments. The total number of relegated clubs has been increased to three, aiming to raise the competitive level. The changes were approved during an extraordinary assembly held last week in Montevideo.
New Format and Key Decisions
The restructuring seeks to make the calendar less congested and improve the quality of the matches. In the new system, the Apertura and Clausura champions will qualify for the season final. If the same club wins both, it will be declared champion directly. The two teams with the lowest points in the cumulative table will be relegated, while the sixteenth club will play a relegation playoff against the runner‑up from the second division. The playoffs will be played in knockout matches, with away goals no longer counting as a tiebreaker.
Reactions and Expectations
Club representatives have received the changes with cautious optimism. Some coaches expressed concerns about the shorter recovery time between matches, especially during the playoff period. However, the Association believes the new structure will increase tension and fan interest, particularly in the final stages of the Clausura. The total number of matchdays will be reduced by four compared to the previous season, allowing for better alignment with international fixtures. The first round of the 2026 Apertura is scheduled for the second weekend of March.
