Bolivian Football Regional Leagues Explained

The third tier of the Bolivian football league system consists of nine regional leagues (one for each department); the number of participants varies depending

on the department. It usually has between 8 and 12 teams. The winner and the runner-up of each league compete in the Copa Simón Bolívar, with the winner of such a tournament gaining promotion to the 1st Division, and the runner-up playing a play-off match with the last two placed teams in the First Division. Until 1976, all 8 regional championships (Pando didn't have an organized tournament at the time) were the top division of the national football pyramid, with the winner of the Copa Simón Bolívar being crowned as national champion.

The oldest regional championship is the one played in La Paz. It started in 1914 and it was considered for many years as the top Bolivian league, especially when it turned into a semi-professional tournament in 1950 and started to include teams from Oruro and Cochabamba.

Copa Simón Bolívar

See main article: Copa Simón Bolívar (Bolivia). The tournament started in 1960. Initially, only champions from La Paz, Cochabamba, Oruro and Santa Cruz participated. In later years, teams from other associations joined the cup, and the tournament eventually also had runners-up participating.

Until 1976, with the lack of a nationwide league, the cup determined the national champion and representative teams for the Copa Libertadores. With the creation of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano, the Bolivian FA stopped organizing the tournament. In 1989, the tournament was resurrected, with the same format of both champions and runners-up from each association, but this time each regional league was the second tier on the football pyramid so the champion was supposed to be awarded a place in the professional league. Previously, the last placed team in the 1st division was replaced by the regional champion of its department. However, that practice was kept until 1993 when finally the champion was awarded a spot in the top league.

The competition format changes frequently. In 2008, the teams were divided into three groups of six teams, to save costs. Geographically close teams were teamed up and played on a home-away round-robin basis, with group 1 consisting of teams from La Paz, Oruro and Cochabamba; group 2 of teams from Potosí, Chuquisaca and Tarija, and group 3 of teams from Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando. The top two placed teams advanced to the next round, now playing play-offs on home-away basis, the three winners and the best loser advanced to the semifinals and then the final.

Liga Nacional B

See main article: Liga Nacional B.

It was announced by LFPB that, due to the change of football in First Division, Copa Simon Bolivar would be replaced by Liga Nacional B which consists of thirteen clubs, the champions from each department except for Tarija which would have two clubs (Champions and runner-up), the last two relegated teams from First division and the winners of Torneo Nacional Provincial. La Paz Football Association and Oruro Football Association Championship were against this change, however the National Football Association and Bolivian Football Federation approved this change in Bolivian Football.

List of Regional Championships

Beni Football Association Championship

Season Champion (title count) Runner-up
1989 Naval Mamoré
1990 Naval Mamoré
1991
1992 Bolívar
1993 Ferrocarril San Antonio
1994 Bolívar Universitario
1995 Ingenieros
1996 Huracán Tupiza
1997 Universitario
1998 Universitario
1999 Universitario
2000 Proyecto San José La Palmera
2001 Universitario
2002 Universitario
2003 Universitario
2004 Universitario
2005 Real Mamoré
2006 Proyecto San José La Palmera
2007
2008 Universitario
2009
Atlético Marbán
Primero de Mayo
2011–12 Proyecto San José La Palmera
2012–13 Universitario
2013–14 Deportivo Kivón
2014–15 Deportivo Kivón
2015–16 Deportivo Kivón
2016–17 San Lorenzo
2017 II
2018 I
2018 II Universitario
2019 Deportivo Kivón
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 I Deportivo Kivón
2021 II Alianza Beni
[1]

Chuquisaca Football Association Championship

Season Champion (title count) Runner-up
1989Independiente Petrolero (1)Fancesa
1990Universitario (1)Stormers
1991Universitario (2)Fancesa
1992Universitario (3)Fancesa
1993Universitario (4)Stormers
1994Universitario (5)Stormers
1995Universitario (6)Real IPTK
1996Universitario (7)Fancesa
1997Fancesa (1)Junín
1998Stormers (1)Juver Sucrense
1999Fancesa (2)Guaraní de Sucre
2000Stormers (2)Guaraní de Sucre
2001Guaraní de Sucre (1)Fancesa
2002Fancesa (3)Guaraní de Sucre
2003Fancesa (4)Stormers
2004Universitario (8)Independiente Petrolero
2005 Universitario (9)
2006 Fancesa (5)
2007 Fancesa (6) Independiente Petrolero
2008 Fancesa (7) Independiente Petrolero
2009 Fancesa (8)
Independiente Petrolero (2) Fancesa
Flamengo de Sucre (1) Guaraní de Sucre
2011–12Flamengo de Sucre (2)Fancesa
2012–13Fancesa (9)Flamengo de Sucre
2013–14Fancesa (10)Stormers
2014–15Fancesa (11)Guaraní de Sucre
2015–16Fancesa (12)Stormers
2016–17Atlético Sucre (1)Flamengo de Sucre
2017Independiente Petrolero (3)Deportivo Alemán
2018Independiente Petrolero (4)Stormers
2019 IIndependiente Petrolero (5)Fancesa
2019 IIIndependiente Petrolero (6)Fancesa
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Universitario (10)Fancesa
2022Mojocoya (1)Stormers
[2]

Cochabamba Football Association Championship

Season Champion (title count) Runner-up
1989Petrolero (1)Enrique Happ
1990Petrolero (2)Litoral
1991San Pedro (1)Enrique Happ
1992Metalsan (1)Enrique Happ
1993Enrique Happ (1)Universitario
1994Aurora (1)Universitario
1995Aurora (2)San Pedro
1996Aurora (3)Universitario
1997Aurora (4)Universitario
1998Aurora (5)Enrique Happ
1999Aurora (6)Universitario
2000Aurora (7)Cala Cala
2001Aurora (8)Independiente de Quillacollo
2002Aurora (9)Independiente de Quillacollo
2003Independiente de Quillacollo (1)Esparta
2004Independiente de Quillacollo (2)Esparta
2005Independiente de Quillacollo (3)Esparta
2006Esparta (1)Aurora
2007 Universitario (1) Real Cochabamba
2008 Enrique Happ (2)
2009 Universitario (2) Enrique Happ
Enrique Happ (3) Bata
Jorge Wilstermann (1) Enrique Happ
2011–12Jorge Wilstermann (2)Universitario
2012–13Municipal Tiquipaya (1)Universitario
2013–14Enrique Happ (4)Nueva Cliza
2014–15Aurora (10)Arauco Prado
2015–16Municipal Tiquipaya (2)Aurora
2016–17Aurora (11)Enrique Happ
2018Bata (1)Enrique Happ
2019 IArauco Prado (1)Atlético Palmaflor
2019 IICochabamba FC (1)Municipal Tiquipaya
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021San Antonio Bulo Bulo (1)Nueva Cliza
[3]

La Paz Football Association Championships

1989 To Present

Year Winner Runner-up
1989 Unión Maestranza
1990 Mariscal Braun
1991 Mariscal Braun
1992 Mariscal Braun
1993 Mariscal Braun
1994 Always Ready
1995 Deportivo Municipal
1996 Mariscal Braun
1997 Mariscal Santa Cruz
1998 Mariscal Braun
1999 Litoral
2000 Atlético González
2001 Chaco Petrolero
2002 Deportivo Zuraca
2003 Mariscal Braun
2004
2005
2006 Chaco Petrolero
2007 Ferroviario
2008 Fraternidad Tigres
2009 31 De Octubre
ABB
Unión Maestranza
2011–12 ABB
2012–13 31 De Octubre
2013–14 Ramiro Castillo
2014–15 Ramiro Castillo
2015–16 Always Ready
2016–17 Always Ready
2017–18 Deportivo FATIC
2018–19 Virgen de Chijipata
2020 Chaco Petrolero
2021 Unión Maestranza
[4]

Oruro Football Association Championship

Season Champion (title count) Runner-up
1989 Ferroviario
1990 Ferroviario
1991 ENAF
1992 MAFAL
1993 Ingenieros
1994 Estudiantes Frontanilla
1995 Estudiantes Frontanilla
1996 Estudiantes Frontanilla
1997 Atlético La Joya
1998 Ingenieros
1999 Ingenieros
2000 Ingenieros
2001 Ingenieros
2002 Atlético La Joya
2003 Oruro Royal
2004 Atlético La Joya
2005 Deportivo Huachacalla
2006 Oruro Royal
2007 Deportivo Huachacalla
2008 Ingenieros
2009 Oruro Royal
Oruro Royal
Huanuni
2011–12 Huanuni
2012–13 Oruro Royal
2013–14 Huanuni
2014–15 Oruro Royal
2015–16 Deportivo Kala
2016 Deportivo Escara
2017 Sur-Car
2018 Deportivo Escara
2019 Sur-Car
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Huanuni
2022 Sur-Car
[5]

Pando Football Association Championship

Season Champion (title count) Runner-up
1997
1998 Vaca Díez
1999 Porvenir
2000 Antequera
2001 Veracruz
2002 Oriente Agropecuario
2003 Cobija
2004 Vaca Díez
2005 Deportivo Paraíso
2006 27 de Mayo
2007 Miraflores
2008 Vaca Díez
2009 Universitario
Universitario
Miraflores
2011–12 Real Vaca Díez
2012–13 Vaca Díez
2013–14 Miraflores
2014–15 Real Mapajo
2015–16 Mariscal Sucre
2016–17 Vaca Díez
2018 Mariscal Sucre
2019 I Vaca Díez
2019 II Mariscal Sucre
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Vaca Díez
[6]

Potosí Football Association Championship

Season Champion (title count) Runner-up
1989 Real Potosí
1990 Municipal
1991 Real SENAC
1992 Municipal
1993 Real SENAC
1994
1995 Alianza Litoral
1996 Municipal
1997 Municipal
1998 Real Villazón
1999 Universitario
2000 Nacional Potosí
2001 Universitario
2002 1º de Mayo
2003 Nacional Potosí
2004 Universitario
2005 Stormers San Lorenzo
2006 Municipal
2007 Universitario
2008 Stormers San Lorenzo
2009 Universitario
Universitario
Universitario
2011–12 Atlético Nacional Emilio Alave
2012–13 Wilstermann Cooperativas
2013–14 Atlético Nacional Emilio Alave
2014–15 Interfi
2015–16 Wilstermann Cooperativas
2016–17 Stormers San Lorenzo
2018 Rosario Central
2019 Wilstermann Cooperativas
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Ferrocarril Palmeiras
2021–22 Deportivo JUVA
[7]

Santa Cruz Football Association Championship

Season Champion (title count) Runner-up
1989 Grigotá
1990 Guabirá
1991 Guabirá
1992 Municipal Braniff
1993 Florida
1994 Libertad
1995 Municipal Braniff
1996 Universidad Cruceña
1997 Universidad Cruceña
1998 Municipal Braniff
1999 Cooper
2000 Destroyers
2001 Libertad
2002 Real Santa Cruz
2003 Real Santa Cruz
2004 Destroyers
2005 Universidad Cruceña
2006 Guabirá
2007 Guabirá
2008 Real Santa Cruz
2009 Destroyers
Callejas
Real Santa Cruz
2011–12 Sport Boys Warnes
2012–13 Destroyers
2013–14 El Torno
2014–15 Royal Pari
2015–16 Destroyers
2016–17 Royal Pari
2018 Universidad Cruceña
2019 I Universidad Cruceña
2019 II Ferroviario
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 I Torre Fuerte
2021 II Argentinos Juniors
[8]

Tarija Football Association Championship

Season Champion (title count) Runner-up
1989 Litoral
1990 Municipal
1991 Petrolero
1992 Unión Tarija
1993 Litoral
1994 Unión Tarija
1995 Nacional Senac
1996 Independiente
1997 Ciclón
1998 Unión Tarija
1999 Universitario
2000 Universitario
2001 Ciclón
2002 Entel
2003 Royal Obrero
2004 Entel
2005 Royal Obrero
2006 Universitario
2007
2008
2009 Petrolero
García Agreda
García Agreda
2011–12 Petrolero
2012–13 García Agreda
2013–14 Atlético Bermejo
2014–15 García Agreda
2015–16 García Agreda
2016–17 Ciclón
2017 II Ciclón
2018 I Petrolero
2018 II Atlético Bermejo
2019 I Nacional Senac
2019 II Real Tomayapo
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 I Atlético Bermejo
2021 II Nacional Senac
2022 García Agreda
[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ASOCIACION BENIANA DE FUTBOL. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150411232503/http://www.actiweb.es/5cienty/10.html . 2015-04-11 . 14 October 2020.
  2. Web site: ASOCIACION CHUQUISAQUEÑA DE FUTBOL. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150412035928/http://www.actiweb.es/5cienty/11.html . 2015-04-12 . 14 October 2020.
  3. Web site: ASOCIACION DE FUTBOL DE COCHABAMBA. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150412033021/http://www.actiweb.es/5cienty/12.html . 2015-04-12 . 14 October 2020.
  4. Web site: ASOCIACION DE FUTBOL DE LA PAZ. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150411235212/http://www.actiweb.es/5cienty/13.html . 2015-04-11 . 14 October 2020.
  5. Web site: ASOCIACION DE FUTBOL ORURO. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150412043227/http://www.actiweb.es/5cienty/14.html . 2015-04-12 . 14 October 2020.
  6. Web site: ASOCIACION PANDIÑA DE FUTBOL. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150411225310/http://www.actiweb.es/5cienty/15.html . 2015-04-11 . 14 October 2020.
  7. Web site: ASOCIACION DE FUTBOL POTOSÍ. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150411230529/http://www.actiweb.es/5cienty/16.html . 2015-04-11 . 14 October 2020.
  8. Web site: ASOCIACION CRUCEÑA DE FUTBOL. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150412042427/http://www.actiweb.es/5cienty/17.html . 2015-04-12 . 14 October 2020.
  9. Web site: ASOCIACION TARIJEÑA DE FUTBOL. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150412051359/http://www.actiweb.es/5cienty/18.html . 2015-04-12 . 14 October 2020.