Botola Pro

Botola Pro is the top-tier professional football league in Morocco, organized by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and the Ligue Nationale de Football Professionnel (LNFP). Established in 1956 after Morocco's independence, the Botola is widely regarded as one of Africa’s strongest and most competitive leagues, home to continental giants Wydad Casablanca and Raja Casablanca.

History and facts

The Moroccan top division began in 1956 and quickly became one of the most technical, passionate, and competitive leagues in Africa and the Arab world.

Casablanca rivals Wydad AC and Raja CA dominate both domestically and continentally, winning multiple CAF Champions League titles.

Moroccan clubs are known for strong youth academies, producing many national team talents who succeed in Europe and Africa.

League system

Botola Pro features 16 teams. At the end of the season, the bottom two clubs are relegated to Botola 2, while the top two Botola 2 teams earn promotion.

Table 1. Moroccan football league pyramid

League	Tier
Botola Pro	1
Botola 2	2
National Amateur League	3

Regional amateur leagues operate below the 3rd tier.

Stats

Teams with most titles

Table 2. Most Botola Pro titles

Club	Titles
Wydad Casablanca	22
Raja Casablanca	13
AS FAR Rabat	12
Maghreb Fez	4
KAC Kénitra	3

Wydad and Raja dominate Moroccan football historically and internationally.

Teams with most league participation

Table 3. Most seasons in Botola Pro

Club	Seasons
Raja Casablanca	65+
Wydad Casablanca	65+
AS FAR Rabat	60+
Maghreb Fez	55+
DHJ El Jadida	50+

Casablanca’s giants and FAR Rabat have been ever-present forces.

Audience

Major stadiums

Table 4. Major stadiums in Morocco

Stadium	Home Club	Capacity
Stade Mohammed V	Wydad / Raja	45,000
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium	AS FAR	53,000
Stade de Marrakech	KACM Marrakech	45,000
Stade Adrar	Hassania Agadir	45,000
Fez Stadium	Maghreb Fez	45,000

Players

Famous players

• Mahmoud Benhalib
• Achraf Bencharki
• Badr Banoun
• Walid El Karti
• Abdelilah Hafidi
• Youssef El-Arabi
• Ayoub El Kaabi
• Mohamed Ounajem

Botola Pro timeline

1956 Botola Pro is founded after Morocco's independence.

1980s Raja and Wydad dominate Moroccan football.

1999 Moroccan clubs rise to continental prominence.

2011 League becomes fully professional under LNFP.

2020s Botola Pro becomes a leading African league in CAF rankings.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botola_Pro
https://frmf.ma
https://rsssf.org