Categoría Primera A

Categoría Primera A, also known as Liga BetPlay Dimayor for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional football league in Colombia. It was founded in 1948 and is one of South America's most competitive and historically rich leagues, home to iconic clubs such as Atlético Nacional, Millonarios, América de Cali, and Deportivo Cali.

History and facts

The league began in 1948 with 10 teams. The 1950s saw the arrival of foreign stars in an era known as El Dorado, which transformed Colombian football and boosted its international status.

Traditionally, the league is divided into two tournaments: Apertura and Finalización, each crowning its own champion through playoffs.

The league has produced major international figures, including Carlos Valderrama, René Higuita, Radamel Falcao, James Rodríguez, and Juan Cuadrado.

League system

Categoría Primera A sits at the top of the Colombian football pyramid. Relegation is based on a three-year average table, with the bottom team moving down to Primera B.

Table 1. Colombian football tiers

League	Tier
Categoría Primera A	1
Categoría Primera B	2

Below these levels are various amateur and regional competitions.

Stats

Teams with most titles

Table 2. Clubs with most Primera A titles

Club	Titles
Atlético Nacional	17
Millonarios	16
América de Cali	15
Deportivo Cali	10
Santa Fe	9
Junior	9

Atlético Nacional is the most successful club, followed closely by Millonarios and América de Cali.

Teams with most league participation

Table 3. Clubs with most Primera A seasons

Club	Seasons
Millonarios	75+
Santa Fe	70+
Atlético Nacional	70+
Deportivo Cali	65+
Junior	55+

Millonarios and Santa Fe have been league ever-presents for decades.

Audience

Stadium capacities

Table 4. Major stadiums in Colombia

Team	Stadium	Capacity
Atlético Nacional	Estadio Atanasio Girardot	40,943
Millonarios	Estadio El Campín	39,512
América de Cali	Estadio Pascual Guerrero	35,405
Junior	Estadio Metropolitano	46,692
Deportivo Cali	Estadio Deportivo Cali	52,000

Players

Famous Colombian players in Primera A

Carlos Valderrama
René Higuita
Radamel Falcao
James Rodríguez
Teófilo Gutiérrez
Juan Cuadrado
Víctor Aristizábal