St. Louis City 2 vs North Texas on 31 May
The Chilean Football Championship, officially known as the Primera División, operates under a two-stage system: the Apertura and the Clausura. Each tournament crowns its own champion. Currently, 16 teams compete in the top division. The relegation system is based on a weighted average. Every season, two teams are relegated to the Primera B, while two sides earn promotion from the second tier.
Qualification system for international tournaments
Chilean clubs qualify for the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana. The champions of the Apertura and Clausura each earn a direct spot in the Copa Libertadores group stage. The two best teams remaining in the overall table also qualify for the Libertadores, though they may enter at earlier stages. The next four best-placed teams qualify for the Copa Sudamericana.
The definition of the “best teams” depends on the tournament format. If the Apertura or Clausura champion also finishes among the top clubs in the aggregate table, their berth is not transferred. Instead, a new spot opens for the next best-placed team that has not yet qualified.
In all cases, qualification is based on the total points accumulated throughout the season, combining both the Apertura and Clausura. Only the playoffs determine the champion of each short tournament. There is no national championship final between the Apertura and Clausura winners.
