2026 Liga DIMAYOR

Last updated
Liga BetPlay DIMAYOR
Season2026
Dates16 January – December 2026
Matches44
Goals108 (2.45 per match)
Top goalscorerApertura: Jorge Rivaldo (5 goals)
Biggest home win Atl. Bucaramanga 5–0 Alianza
(1 February)
Biggest away win Dep. Pereira 0–2 Llaneros
(16 January)
Junior 0–2 Dep. Tolima
(18 January)
Highest scoring Jaguares 2–3 Inter Bogotá
(29 January)
Atl. Bucaramanga 5–0 Alianza
(1 February)
Dep. Pereira 2–3 Junior
(2 February)
Águilas Doradas 3–2 Cúcuta Deportivo
(7 February)
2025
2027
All statistics correct as of 7 February 2026.

The 2026 Liga DIMAYOR (officially known as the 2026 Liga BetPlay DIMAYOR for sponsorship purposes) is the 79th season of the first division league of Colombian football. The season began on 16 January 2026. [1]

Contents

Two tournaments (Apertura and Finalización) will be played in the season, each one of them being an independent championship. Junior entered the season as defending champions, having won the 2025 Finalización tournament.

Format

The competition format for the season was determined at the Extraordinary Assembly of Dimayor, held on 10 and 11 December 2025. Due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the need to end the Torneo Apertura by 5 June 2026, the format proposed and eventually approved for the Torneo Apertura consisted in playing a round-robin first stage with 19 matchdays (without the extra regional derby matchday), with the top eight teams advancing to a final stage to be played as single-elimination playoffs instead of the semifinal group stage played in recent seasons, thus returning to the format last used in the 2021 Apertura tournament. [2] [3]

Unlike the Apertura, the Torneo Finalización will be played under the usual format, with a round-robin first stage in which teams will play each other once (with reversed fixtures) and the top eight teams from the first stage advancing to the following phase. Instead of play-offs, the eight qualified teams will be drawn into two semi-final groups, with the two group winners advancing to play the tournament finals. [4]

Teams

Bogota location map.svg
Locations of the 2026 Liga DIMAYOR teams in Bogotá
Medellin location map.svg
Locations of the 2026 Liga DIMAYOR teams in Medellín

Twenty teams take part in the season, the top 18 teams in the relegation table of the previous season as well as the 2025 Torneo DIMAYOR champions Jaguares and Cúcuta Deportivo, who returned to the top flight after one year and six years, respectively. Both teams promoted after winning the season's short tournaments and securing the top two places of the aggregate table. [5] [6] The promoted teams replaced Envigado and Unión Magdalena, the bottom two teams in the relegation table of the 2025 season, who were relegated to the second tier after sixteen and one year in the top flight, respectively. [7]

Starting from this season, La Equidad rebranded to Internacional de Bogotá, following the club's takeover by the Tylis-Porter Group in early 2025 and the decision by its former owners Seguros La Equidad to keep the name, symbols and colors to themselves. [8] [9] The club's new identity was officially presented on 10 December 2025. [10]

Stadia and locations

TeamCityStadiumCapacity
Águilas Doradas Medellín Cincuentenario [i] 4,000
Alianza Valledupar Armando Maestre Pavajeau 11,000
América de Cali Cali Pascual Guerrero 38,588
Atlético Bucaramanga Bucaramanga Américo Montanini 28,000
Atlético Nacional Medellín Atanasio Girardot 44,863
Boyacá Chicó Tunja La Independencia 20,630
Cúcuta Deportivo Cúcuta General Santander 32,163
Deportes Tolima Ibagué Manuel Murillo Toro 28,100
Deportivo Cali Palmira Deportivo Cali 42,000
Deportivo Pasto Pasto Departamental Libertad 20,665
Deportivo Pereira Pereira Hernán Ramírez Villegas 30,297
Armenia Centenario [ii] 23,500
Fortaleza Bogotá Metropolitano de Techo 10,000
Independiente Medellín Medellín Atanasio Girardot 44,863
Internacional de Bogotá Bogotá Metropolitano de Techo 10,000
Jaguares Montería Jaraguay 12,000
Junior Barranquilla Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez 46,692
Romelio Martínez [iii] 8,600
Llaneros Villavicencio Bello Horizonte – Rey Pelé 15,000
Millonarios Bogotá Nemesio Camacho El Campín 39,512
Once Caldas Manizales Palogrande 31,611
Santa Fe Bogotá Nemesio Camacho El Campín 39,512
Notes
  1. Águilas Doradas play their home matches at Estadio Cincuentenario in Medellín due to the closure of their regular stadium Estadio Alberto Grisales in Rionegro for remodeling works. [11] [12]
  2. Deportivo Pereira play their Torneo Apertura home matches at Estadio Centenario in Armenia due to remodeling works at their regular stadium Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas. [13]
  3. Junior play their Torneo Apertura home matches at Estadio Romelio Martínez due to remodeling works at their regular stadium Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez. [14]

Personnel and kits

TeamManagerKit manufacturerMain shirt sponsor(s)
Águilas Doradas Flag of Colombia.svg Juan David Niño AerosportColanta, Pool
Alianza Flag of Colombia.svg Hubert Bodhert Pin-Go Gobernación del Cesar, Pool, Fundación Universitaria San Mateo
América de Cali Flag of Colombia.svg David González Reebok Águila, BetPlay
Atlético Bucaramanga Flag of Colombia.svg Leonel Álvarez Lotto Financiera Comultrasan
Atlético Nacional Flag of Colombia.svg Diego Arias Nike Betsson
Boyacá Chicó Flag of Colombia.svg Flabio Torres GeusPool
Cúcuta Deportivo Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Richard Páez BomanColanta
Deportes Tolima Flag of Colombia.svg Lucas González Umbro BetPlay, Pool, Mercacentro
Deportivo Cali Flag of Colombia.svg Alberto Gamero HillsideWplay, Pastas La Muñeca
Deportivo Pasto Flag of Spain.svg Jonathan Risueño BomanAguardiente Nariño, Banco AV Villas, Pool
Deportivo Pereira Flag of Colombia.svg Arturo Reyes Oto
Fortaleza Flag of Colombia.svg Sebastián Oliveros Roott+Co Stake
Independiente Medellín Flag of Colombia.svg Alejandro Restrepo Adidas Colanta, Wplay, Pool
Internacional de Bogotá Flag of Argentina.svg Ricardo Valiño UmbroBetPlay, TaDa, Bogotá
Jaguares Flag of Colombia.svg Alexis Márquez KimoColanta, Pool
Junior Flag of Uruguay.svg Alfredo Arias AdidasBetPlay, Águila
Llaneros Flag of Colombia.svg José Luis García AerosportMaxi Cola, Aitabü Hotel Campestre, Gobernación del Meta
Millonarios Flag of Argentina.svg Fabián Bustos AdidasCerveza Andina
Once Caldas Flag of Colombia.svg Hernán Darío Herrera ReebokColanta, BetPlay, Wakate
Santa Fe Flag of Uruguay.svg Pablo Repetto Fila Colanta, BetPlay

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointment
Torneo Apertura
Deportivo Pereira Flag of Colombia.svg Cristian Galíndez End of caretaker spell12 November 2025Pre-season Flag of Colombia.svg Arturo Reyes 30 December 2025 [15]
Internacional de Bogotá Flag of Colombia.svg Daniel Gómez 12 November 2025 Flag of Argentina.svg Ricardo Valiño 21 December 2025 [16]
Deportivo Pasto Flag of Colombia.svg René Rosero 13 November 2025 Flag of Spain.svg Jonathan Risueño 1 December 2025 [17]
Jaguares Flag of Colombia.svg Álvaro Hernández Resigned24 November 2025 [18] Flag of Colombia.svg Alexis Márquez 28 November 2025 [19]
Águilas Doradas Flag of Spain.svg Jonathan Risueño 26 November 2025 [20] Flag of Colombia.svg Juan David Niño 17 December 2025 [21]
Santa Fe Flag of Colombia.svg Francisco López
Flag of Colombia.svg Grigori Méndez
End of caretaker spell8 December 2025 [22] Flag of Uruguay.svg Pablo Repetto 2 December 2025 [23]
Millonarios Flag of Colombia.svg Hernán Torres Sacked28 January 2026 [24] 20th Flag of Colombia.svg Omar Rodríguez [i] 29 January 2026 [25]
Flag of Colombia.svg Omar Rodríguez End of caretaker spell2 February 202618th Flag of Argentina.svg Fabián Bustos 1 February 2026 [26]
Cúcuta Deportivo Flag of Colombia.svg Nelson Flórez Sacked3 February 2026 [27] 15th Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Richard Páez [ii] 5 February 2026 [29]
Notes
  1. Caretaker manager.
  2. Braynner García was the caretaker manager for the Torneo Apertura round 5 match against Águilas Doradas on 7 February. [28]

Torneo Apertura

The Torneo Apertura, officially known as Liga BetPlay Dimayor 2026–I, is the 102nd first division football championship and the first tournament of the 2026 season. It began on 16 January and is scheduled to end on 5 June 2026. [30]

First stage

Standings

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Internacional de Bogotá 531177010Advance to the knockout stage
2 Deportivo Pasto 531155010
3 Atlético Bucaramanga 5230104+69
4 Junior 430185+39
5 Llaneros 523063+39
6 Deportes Tolima 522163+38
7 Águilas Doradas 522187+18
8 América de Cali 421163+37
9 Santa Fe 514065+17
10 Fortaleza 514043+17
11 Atlético Nacional 220061+56
12 Deportivo Cali 420274+36
13 Once Caldas 413054+16
14 Jaguares 31114404
15 Cúcuta Deportivo 502371032
16 Deportivo Pereira 40224732
17 Independiente Medellín 50234842
18 Millonarios 40133631
19 Alianza 40131981
20 Boyacá Chicó 501411091
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: Dimayor, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points, 2) Goal difference, 3) Goals for, 4) Away goals for, 5) Goals against, 6) Away goals against, 7) Drawing of lots (or play-off matches, only if needed to decide eighth place). [31]

Results

Home \ Away AGU ALI AME BUC NAC BOY CUC TOL CAL PAS PER FOR DIM IDB JAG JUN LLA MIL ONC SFE
Águilas Doradas 3–22–11–2
Alianza 1–1
América de Cali 3–01–1
Atlético Bucaramanga 5–02–1
Atlético Nacional 2–14–0
Boyacá Chicó 0–10–1
Cúcuta Deportivo 2–21–11–2
Deportes Tolima 2–00–1
Deportivo Cali a 3–03–1
Deportivo Pasto 0–01–02–1
Deportivo Pereira 0–02–30–2
Fortaleza 1–01–11–1
Independiente Medellín a 2–21–2
Internacional de Bogotá 2–10–0
Jaguares 1–02–3
Junior 3–00–2
Llaneros 1–11–1
Millonarios a 0–01–2
Once Caldas 1–11–1
Santa Fe 1–12–2
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: Dimayor, Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Top scorers

As of 7 February 2026
RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Flag of Colombia.svg Jorge Rivaldo Águilas Doradas5
2 Flag of Honduras (1949-2022, 2026-present).svg Dereck Moncada Internacional de Bogotá4
Flag of Colombia.svg Andrey Estupiñán Deportivo Pasto
Flag of Argentina.svg Luciano Pons Atlético Bucaramanga
5 Flag of Colombia.svg Jaime Peralta Cúcuta Deportivo3
Flag of Colombia.svg Stiven Rodríguez Deportivo Cali
Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Luifer Hernández Cúcuta Deportivo
Flag of Colombia.svg Dayro Moreno Once Caldas
Flag of Colombia.svg Cristian Barrios Junior
10 Flag of Colombia.svg Luis Muriel Junior2
Flag of Colombia.svg Adrián Parra Deportes Tolima
Flag of Colombia.svg Yeison Guzmán América de Cali
Flag of Argentina.svg Rodrigo Contreras Millonarios
Flag of Colombia.svg Kevin Londoño Atlético Bucaramanga
Flag of Colombia.svg Carlos Cortés Llaneros
Flag of Colombia.svg Juan Pablo Torres Deportes Tolima
Flag of Colombia.svg Christian Mafla Santa Fe

Source: BeSoccer [32]

Relegation

A separate table is kept to determine the teams that will be relegated to Torneo DIMAYOR for the next season. This table is elaborated from a sum of all first stage games played in the three most recent seasons (including the 2024–I, 2024–II, 2025–I, 2025–II, 2026–I, and 2026–II tournaments), with the points earned being averaged per match played. The bottom two teams of the relegation table at the end of the season will be relegated to Torneo DIMAYOR.

PosTeam 2024
Pts
2025
Pts
2026
Pts
2026
GF
2026
GA
2026
GD
Total
Pld
Total
Pts
Avg.Relegation
1 Deportes Tolima 7274863+3831541.855
2 Junior 6072985+3821411.720
3 Santa Fe 7164765+1831421.711
4 Atlético Bucaramanga 66669104+6831411.699
5 Atlético Nacional 5672661+5801341.675
6 América de Cali 6268763+3821371.671
7 Millonarios 6664136−3821311.598
8 Independiente Medellín 5872248−4831321.590
9 Once Caldas 6060654+1821261.537
10 Fortaleza 5155743+1831131.361
11 Jaguares 4440341.333
12 Deportivo Pereira 6146247−3821091.329
13 Deportivo Pasto 494810550831071.289
14 Águilas Doradas 4648887+1831021.229
15 Llaneros 45963+345541.200
16 Alianza 3358119−882921.122
17 Deportivo Cali 3845674+382891.085
18 Internacional de Bogotá 55241077083891.072
19 Boyacá Chicó 33361110−983700.843Relegation to Torneo DIMAYOR
20 Cúcuta Deportivo 2710−3520.400

Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: Dimayor
Rules for classification: 1) average, 2) 2026 points, 3) 2026 goal difference, 4) 2026 goals for, 5) 2026 away goals for, 6) 2026 goals against, 7) 2026 away goals against, 8) 2026 wins, 9) play-off match (only if needed to decide relegation). [31]

See also

References

  1. Amézquita, Christian (22 November 2025). "Liga Colombiana 2026: fecha en que iniciará y el sorpresivo formato que tendría por el Mundial" [2026 Colombian League: Start date and the surprising format it would have due to the World Cup] (in Spanish). Caracol Radio . Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  2. "Liga BetPlay 2026: Formato, cambios y qué se debatirá en Asamblea" [2026 Liga BetPlay: Format, changes and what will be discussed at the Assembly] (in Spanish). ESPN. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  3. "Revolución en la Liga BetPlay: Dimayor define dos formatos de competencia y la norma de los extranjeros en año de Mundial" [Revolution in Liga BetPlay: Dimayor sets two competition formats and the foreigner rule in World Cup year] (in Spanish). Marca. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  4. "Liga BetPlay 2026: Dimayor aprueba cambios y nuevo formato" [2026 Liga BetPlay: Dimayor approves changes and new format] (in Spanish). ESPN. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  5. Rodríguez Parrado, Juan Camilo (11 November 2025). "Jaguares se convirtió en el primer ascendido a la Liga BetPlay Dimayor: empató contra Cúcuta y se aseguró un lugar en la A" [Jaguares became the first team promoted to the Liga BetPlay Dimayor: they drew with Cúcuta and secured a spot in the top flight] (in Spanish). Infobae . Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  6. "Cúcuta Deportivo vuelve a primera división después de seis años" [Cúcuta Deportivo return to the first division after six years] (in Spanish). Zona Cero. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  7. "Estos son los equipos descendidos a Categoría B en Colombia para 2026" [These are the teams relegated to Categoría B in Colombia for 2026] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  8. Chalela Ambrad, Daniel (14 July 2025). "Presidente de La Equidad confirmó detalles de nuevo nombre, uniforme y escudo: ya hay fecha" [La Equidad chairman confirmed details on new name, kit and crest: there is a date already] (in Spanish). Deportes RCN. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  9. Pinzón, David Esteban (9 May 2025). "'Internacional de Bogotá' sería el nuevo nombre de popular equipo de la primera división del fútbol colombiano" ["Internacional de Bogotá" would be the new name of popular team in the first division of Colombian football] (in Spanish). NTN24 . Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  10. Yepes Izquierdo, Harold (10 December 2025). "Fin de la espera en la Liga Betplay: Internacional de Bogotá presentó su nuevo escudo y sus colores tras dejar de llamarse La Equidad" [The wait is over in the Liga Betplay: Internacional de Bogotá unveiled its new crest and colors after changing its name from La Equidad] (in Spanish). El Tiempo . Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  11. "Histórico estadio del fútbol colombiano quedó inhabilitado para 2026" [Historical stadium of Colombian football was closed for 2026] (in Spanish). Caracol Radio. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  12. Molina Marín, Luz Élida (21 January 2026). "Águilas Doradas vuelve a cambiar de nido: jugará en el estadio Cincuentenario" [Águilas Doradas change nest again: they will play at the Cincuentenario stadium] (in Spanish). El Colombiano . Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  13. "Deportivo Pereira vuelve al Centenario para atender la visita de Fortaleza" [Deportivo Pereira return to the Centenario to host Fortaleza] (in Spanish). El Quindiano. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  14. "Definidas las sedes del Junior para los partidos del próximo año" [Junior's venues for next year's matches were set] (in Spanish). Diario Deportes. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  15. Arciniegas Morales, Sara Lucía (31 December 2025). "Arturo Reyes, nuevo entrenador de Deportivo Pereira" [Arturo Reyes, new Deportivo Pereira coach] (in Spanish). Diario AS . Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  16. "El nuevo equipo de Bogotá confirmó a su técnico, y fichó a campeón con Millonarios" [Bogotá's new team confirmed its manager, and signed a champion with Millonarios] (in Spanish). Noticias Caracol. 21 December 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  17. Vallejo, Sebastián (1 December 2025). "Jonathan Risueño, el elegido para levantar al Deportivo Pasto" [Jonathan Risueño, the chosen one to lift Deportivo Pasto] (in Spanish). Claro Sports . Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  18. Hernández, Claudia (24 November 2025). "Álvaro Hernández renunció como director técnico de Jaguares de Córdoba" [Álvaro Hernández resigned as head coach of Jaguares de Córdoba] (in Spanish). W Radio . Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  19. "Alexis Márquez regresa a Jaguares de Córdoba como director técnico" [Alexis Márquez returns to Jaguares de Córdoba as head coach] (in Spanish). El Meridiano. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  20. Chalela Ambrad, Daniel (26 November 2025). "Equipo de la Liga BetPlay arranca el 2026 sin entrenador" [2026 Liga BetPlay team starts 2026 without a coach] (in Spanish). Deportes RCN. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  21. "Un boyacense, el nuevo director técnico del equipo de fútbol Águilas Doradas" [A Boyacá native, the new head coach of the Águilas Doradas football team] (in Spanish). Boyacá 7 Días. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  22. Rivera, Nelson (4 December 2025). "Francisco López y el Santa Fe que le entrega a Pablo Repetto" [Francisco López and the Santa Fe team he is handing over to Pablo Repetto] (in Spanish). Claro Sports . Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  23. González Villate, Christian Ricardo (2 December 2025). "Pablo Repetto es el nuevo DT de Santa Fe" [Pablo Repetto is Santa Fe's new coach] (in Spanish). Diario AS . Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  24. "Hernán Torres fue destituido como técnico de Millonarios: es oficial" [Hernán Torres was dismissed as manager of Millonarios: it is official] (in Spanish). Futbolred. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  25. "¿Quién dirigirá a Millonarios mientras llega nuevo DT? Hay decisión" [Who will manage Millonarios until a new head coach is found? A decision has been made] (in Spanish). Futbolred. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  26. "Millonarios confirmó a Fabián Bustos como su nuevo técnico" [Millonarios confirmed Fabián Bustos as their new manager] (in Spanish). La FM. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  27. Muñoz Camargo, David Santiago (3 February 2026). "Cae el segundo técnico de la Liga colombiana 2026-I" [The 2026–I Colombian league's second manager is down] (in Spanish). Caracol Radio . Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  28. Contreras Sabogal, Gustavo (7 February 2026). "En medio de la transición de su banco técnico, Cúcuta Deportivo visita a Águilas Doradas en el Cincuentenario de Medellín" [Amidst a coaching transition, Cúcuta Deportivo visit Águilas Doradas at Medellín's Cincuentenario stadium] (in Spanish). La Opinión. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  29. Prieto Pérez, Miguel Ángel (5 February 2026). "Richard Páez regresa al FPC: Nuevo DT de Cúcuta Deportivo" [Richard Páez returns to the FPC: Cúcuta Deportivo's new head coach] (in Spanish). Diario AS . Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  30. Chalela Ambrad, Daniel (10 December 2025). "Así se jugará la primera fecha de la Liga BetPlay 2026-I" [This is how the 2026-I Liga BetPlay's first matchday will be played] (in Spanish). Deportes RCN. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Reglamento Liga BetPlay DIMAYOR 2026" [2026 Liga BetPlay DIMAYOR Regulations](PDF) (in Spanish). Dimayor . Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  32. "Table of top scorers Liga Betplay - Apertura 2026". BeSoccer . Retrieved 19 January 2026.