La Liga - Competition Format

Competition Format

The competition format follows the usual double round-robin format. During the course of a season, which lasts from September to June, each club plays every other club twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 38 games. Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, with the highest-ranked club at the end of the season crowned champion. If points are equal between two or more clubs, the rules are:

  • If all clubs involved have played each other twice:
    • If the tie is between two clubs, then the tie is broken using the head-to-head goal difference (without away goals rule)
    • If the tie is between more than two clubs, then the tie is broken, using the games the clubs have played against each other:
      • a) head-to-head points
      • b) head-to-head goal difference
      • c) head-to-head goals scored
  • If two legged games between all clubs involved have not been played, or the tie is not broken by the rules above, it is broken using:
    • a) total goal difference
    • b) total goals scored
  • If the tie is still not broken, the winner will be determined by Fair Play scales. These are:
    • yellow card, 1 point
    • doubled yellow card/ejection, 2 points
    • direct red card, 3 points
    • Suspension or disqualification to coach, executive or other club's personnel (outside referee decisions), 5 points
    • Misconduct of the supporters: mild 5 points, serious 6 points, very serious 7 points
    • Stadium closure, 10 points
    • If the Competition Committee removes a penalty, the points are also removed
  • If the tie is still not broken, it will be resolved with a tie-break match in a neutral stadium.

A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Primera División and the Segunda División. The three lowest placed teams in La Liga are relegated to the Segunda División, and the top two teams from the Segunda División promoted to La Liga, with an additional club promoted after a series of play-offs involving the third, fourth, fifth and sixth placed clubs.

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