The 2026 Copa de Primera (officially the Copa de Primera Tigo – ueno bank 2026 for sponsorship reasons) is the 92nd season of the División de Honor, the top-flight professional football league in Paraguay. The season, which consists of two tournaments (Apertura and Clausura), began on 23 January and is scheduled to end on 29 November 2026. The fixture draw for both of the season's tournaments was held on 3 December 2025.[1]
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 23 January – 29 November 2026 |
| Champions | Apertura: Olimpia (48th title) |
| Copa Libertadores | Olimpia |
| Matches | 132 |
| Goals | 317 (2.4 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Apertura: Lorenzo Melgarejo and Allan Wlk (13 goals each) |
| Biggest home win | Recoleta 5–0 2 de Mayo (18 April) Libertad 5–0 San Lorenzo (1 May) |
| Biggest away win | San Lorenzo 0–7 Libertad (2 March) |
| Highest scoring | San Lorenzo 0–7 Libertad (2 March) |
← 2025 2027 →
All statistics correct as of 24 May 2026. | |
In the Torneo Apertura Olimpia were the champions, clinching their forty-eighth league title with three matches in hand after a 1–1 draw with Sportivo Ameliano and a 2–1 loss for Cerro Porteño against Recoleta on 3 May.[2] Cerro Porteño entered the season as defending champions, having won the 2025 Clausura tournament.
Teams
editTwelve teams compete in this season: the top ten teams in the relegation table of the 2025 season and the top two teams in the 2025 Paraguayan División Intermedia.
Team changes
editGeneral Caballero (JLM) and Tembetary were relegated to the second tier league División Intermedia after ending in the bottom two places of the relegation table at the end of the 2025 season, and they were replaced by the 2025 División Intermedia champions Rubio Ñu and runners-up San Lorenzo.
Rubio Ñu, who returned to the top flight after 8 years, clinched promotion with a 1–0 win over Sportivo Carapeguá on 14 September 2025,[3] while San Lorenzo returned to the Copa de Primera for the first time since 2020 by defeating Fernando de la Mora on 4 October 2025, the final matchday of the División Intermedia tournament.[4]
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Stadia and locations
edit- Notes
- ↑ Teams occasionally play home matches at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción.
- ↑ Guaraní play their home matches at Estadio La Arboleda since their stadium Estadio Rogelio Livieres was closed for reconstruction.[5]
- ↑ Olimpia play their home matches at Estadio Erico Galeano since their stadium Estadio Osvaldo Domínguez Dibb in Asunción was closed for reconstruction.[6]
- ↑ Recoleta play their home matches at Estadio Ricardo Gregor since their stadium Estadio Roque Battilana did not meet APF requirements.[7]
- ↑ Sportivo Luqueño play their home matches at Estadio Erico Galeano since their stadium Estadio Feliciano Cáceres in Luque is closed for remodeling works.[8]
Personnel and kits
edit| Team | Head coach | Kit manufacturer | Main shirt sponsors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 de Mayo | Kyrios | Zero Grau, Banco Continental, Fleming | |
| Cerro Porteño | Puma | Tigo, Ueno | |
| Guaraní | Kyrios | Tigo, Ueno, Aposta.La | |
| Libertad | Puma | Tigo | |
| Nacional | Kappa | Kia, Banco Continental, Coca-Cola, Santa Clara | |
| Olimpia | Nike | Tigo, Visión Banco | |
| Recoleta | Running Sport | Ueno, BYD, Universidad Central del Paraguay | |
| Rubio Ñu | Garcis | Lácteos Trébol, Pinturas Bambi | |
| San Lorenzo | Temple | Ochsi | |
| Sportivo Ameliano | Netanya Sport | Slots del Sol, Kia, Banco Continental, Ayres | |
| Sportivo Luqueño | Kyrios | Comercial Vírgen del Rosario, Ueno, Betsson | |
| Sportivo Trinidense | Lotto | Noroda, Lácteos Trébol, Chorti Beef, Ueno |
Managerial changes
edit| Team | Outgoing head coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming head coach | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torneo Apertura | ||||||
| Olimpia | Sacked | 26 November 2025[9] | Pre-season | 28 November 2025[10] | ||
| 2 de Mayo | Resigned | 27 November 2025[11] | 5 December 2025[12] | |||
| Libertad | Sacked | 1 December 2025[13] | 5 December 2025[14] | |||
| Nacional | End of contract | 1 December 2025[15] | 15 December 2025[16] | |||
| Rubio Ñu | 11 December 2025[17] | 11 December 2025[17] | ||||
| San Lorenzo | Sacked | 6 February 2026[18] | 12th | 8 February 2026[19] | ||
| Sportivo Luqueño | Resigned | 3 March 2026[20] | 8th | 3 March 2026[20] | ||
| Guaraní | Sacked | 16 March 2026[21] | 10th | 16 March 2026[22] | ||
| Cerro Porteño | 19 March 2026[23] | 3rd | 19 March 2026[24] | |||
| Sportivo Luqueño | Resigned | 22 March 2026[25] | 11th | 23 March 2026[26] | ||
| Guaraní | End of caretaker spell | 25 March 2026 | 8th | 26 March 2026[27] | ||
| Cerro Porteño | 31 March 2026[28] | 2nd | 30 March 2026[29] | |||
| Rubio Ñu | Resigned | 7 April 2026[30] | 9th | 8 April 2026[31] | ||
| Nacional | Sacked | 7 April 2026[32] | 4th | 8 April 2026[33] | ||
| Rubio Ñu | End of caretaker spell | 14 April 2026 | 9th | 14 April 2026[34] | ||
| Libertad | Resigned | 21 April 2026[35] | 8th | 23 April 2026[36] | ||
| San Lorenzo | Mutual agreement | 26 April 2026[37] | 12th | 27 April 2026[38] | ||
| End of caretaker spell | 4 May 2026 | 4 May 2026[39] | ||||
- Notes
Torneo Apertura
editThe Torneo Apertura was the 133rd official División de Honor championship and the first tournament of the 2026 season. It began on 23 January and ended on 24 May 2026.[40] The champions, Olimpia, qualified for the 2027 Copa Libertadores group stage.
Standings
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olimpia (C) | 22 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 37 | 17 | +20 | 49 | Qualification for Copa Libertadores group stage |
| 2 | Nacional | 22 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 31 | 22 | +9 | 39 | |
| 3 | Cerro Porteño | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 30 | 22 | +8 | 38 | |
| 4 | Sportivo Ameliano | 22 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 27 | 21 | +6 | 33 | |
| 5 | Sportivo Trinidense | 22 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 30 | 24 | +6 | 32 | |
| 6 | Libertad | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 34 | 26 | +8 | 31 | |
| 7 | Guaraní | 22 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 27 | 23 | +4 | 29 | |
| 8 | Recoleta | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 35 | 32 | +3 | 28 | |
| 9 | Rubio Ñu | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 26 | −11 | 23 | |
| 10 | 2 de Mayo | 22 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 18 | 35 | −17 | 22 | |
| 11 | Sportivo Luqueño | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 24 | 33 | −9 | 20 | |
| 12 | San Lorenzo | 22 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 14 | 41 | −27 | 15 |
Results
editTop scorers
edit| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Libertad | 13 | |
| Recoleta | |||
| 3 | Sportivo Luqueño | 10 | |
| 4 | Sportivo Ameliano | 9 | |
| 5 | Sportivo Trinidense | 7 | |
| Olimpia | |||
| 7 | Recoleta | 6 | |
| Sportivo Trinidense | |||
| Rubio Ñu | |||
| 10 | Cerro Porteño | 5 | |
| Cerro Porteño | |||
| Nacional | |||
| 2 de Mayo | |||
| Recoleta |
Source: BeSoccer[43]
Torneo Clausura
editThe Torneo Clausura will be the 134th official División de Honor championship and the second tournament of the 2026 season. It is scheduled to begin on 24 July and end on 29 November 2026.[44]
Standings
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 de Mayo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification for Copa Libertadores group stage |
| 2 | Cerro Porteño | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Guaraní | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Libertad | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Nacional | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Olimpia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Recoleta | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Rubio Ñu | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | San Lorenzo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Sportivo Ameliano | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | Sportivo Luqueño | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | Sportivo Trinidense | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points, 2) Head-to-head points, 3) Head-to-head goal difference, 4) Overall goal difference, 5) Goals for, 6) Playoff game (if needed to decide championship between two teams) or Drawing of lots (if three teams or more are tied).
Results
editAggregate table
editThe results of the Apertura and Clausura tournaments are combined into a single table to determine the distribution of the remaining Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana berths. The best-placed team in this table (other than the tournament champions) will qualify for the Copa Libertadores second stage, while the next four teams that do not qualify for the Copa Libertadores will enter the Copa Sudamericana first stage.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olimpia (C, Q) | 22 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 37 | 17 | +20 | 49 | Qualification for Copa Libertadores group stage |
| 2 | Nacional | 22 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 31 | 22 | +9 | 39 | Qualification for Copa Libertadores second stage |
| 3 | Cerro Porteño | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 30 | 22 | +8 | 38 | Qualification for Copa Sudamericana first stage |
| 4 | Sportivo Ameliano | 22 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 27 | 21 | +6 | 33 | |
| 5 | Sportivo Trinidense | 22 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 30 | 24 | +6 | 32 | |
| 6 | Libertad | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 34 | 26 | +8 | 31 | |
| 7 | Guaraní | 22 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 27 | 23 | +4 | 29 | |
| 8 | Recoleta | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 35 | 32 | +3 | 28 | |
| 9 | Rubio Ñu | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 26 | −11 | 23 | |
| 10 | 2 de Mayo | 22 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 18 | 35 | −17 | 22 | |
| 11 | Sportivo Luqueño | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 24 | 33 | −9 | 20 | |
| 12 | San Lorenzo | 22 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 14 | 41 | −27 | 15 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points, 2) Head-to-head points, 3) Head-to-head goal difference, 4) Overall goal difference, 5) Goals for, 6) Playoff game (if needed to decide international qualification between two teams) or Drawing of lots (if three teams or more are tied).
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Relegation
editRelegation is determined at the end of the season by computing an average of the number of points earned per game over the past three seasons. The two teams with the lowest average will be relegated to the División Intermedia for the following season.
| Pos | Team | 2024 Pts | 2025 Pts | 2026 Pts | Total Pts | Total Pld | Avg | Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cerro Porteño | 74 | 85 | 38 | 197 | 110 | 1.791 | |
| 2 | Olimpia | 80 | 59 | 49 | 188 | 110 | 1.709 | |
| 3 | Guaraní | 66 | 83 | 29 | 178 | 110 | 1.618 | |
| 4 | Libertad | 74 | 70 | 31 | 175 | 110 | 1.591 | |
| 5 | Nacional | 55 | 60 | 39 | 154 | 110 | 1.4 | |
| 6 | Recoleta | — | 59 | 28 | 87 | 66 | 1.318 | |
| 7 | Sportivo Trinidense | 46 | 67 | 32 | 145 | 110 | 1.318 | |
| 8 | Sportivo Ameliano | 56 | 48 | 33 | 137 | 110 | 1.245 | |
| 9 | 2 de Mayo | 65 | 51 | 22 | 138 | 110 | 1.255 | |
| 10 | Sportivo Luqueño | 61 | 47 | 20 | 128 | 110 | 1.164 | |
| 11 | Rubio Ñu | — | — | 23 | 23 | 22 | 1.045 | Relegation to División Intermedia |
| 12 | San Lorenzo | — | — | 15 | 15 | 22 | 0.682 |
Updated to match(es) played on 24 May 2026. Source: APF
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Calendario listo para la temporada 2026" [Schedule set for the 2026 season] (in Spanish). Paraguayan Football Association. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ↑ "¡Olimpia arranca el punto decisivo y es el nuevo campeón!" [Olimpia pull up the decisive point and are the new champions!] (in Spanish). Versus. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Luego de 8 años, Rubio Ñu regresa a Primera" [Rubio Ñu return to Primera after 8 years] (in Spanish). Unicanal. 14 September 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
- ↑ "Sportivo San Lorenzo vuelve a la Primera División" [Sportivo San Lorenzo return to the First Division] (in Spanish). RDN. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
- ↑ "Guaraní: Carpa del Cacique en La Arboleda" [Guaraní: Chief's Tent at La Arboleda] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ↑ "¡Olimpia alquilará la cancha de Capiatá para jugar de local!" [Olimpia will rent Capiatá's field to play their home games!] (in Spanish). Onefootball. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ↑ "Es oficial: Se viene el primer estadio con cancha sintética en la División de Honor" [It is official: The first stadium with synthetic turf in the División de Honor is coming] (in Spanish). Versus. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ↑ "Luqueño cambia de casa y lleva a Ameliano a Capiatá" [Luqueño changes home and takes Ameliano to Capiatá] (in Spanish). Versus. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ↑ "Confirmado: Éver Hugo Almeida no continuará como entrenador de Olimpia en 2026" [Confirmed: Éver Hugo Almeida will not continue as Olimpia's coach in 2026] (in Spanish). DSports. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
- ↑ "Pablo Sánchez: "Feliz de estar en el más grande de este país"" [Pablo Sánchez: "Happy to be at the biggest club in this country"] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
- ↑ "¡Se va el Gato! Giménez cierra otro ciclo exitoso con el 2 de Mayo" [The Cat is leaving! Giménez closes another successful cycle with 2 de Mayo] (in Spanish). D10. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
- ↑ "Eduardo Ledesma, nuevo técnico del 2 de Mayo" [Eduardo Ledesma, 2 de Mayo's new head coach] (in Spanish). D10. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ↑ "Libertad anunció la salida de Pablo Guiñazú" [Libertad announced the exit of Pablo Guiñazú] (in Spanish). D10. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ↑ "Oficial: Francisco Arce es el nuevo entrenador de Libertad" [Official: Francisco Arce is the new manager of Libertad] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ↑ "Pedro Sarabia dejó de ser el director técnico de Nacional" [Pedro Sarabia ceased to be the head coach of Nacional] (in Spanish). Ñandutí Diario Digital. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ↑ "Felipe Giménez, nuevo técnico de Nacional" [Felipe Giménez, new Nacional manager] (in Spanish). D10. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- 1 2 "Rubio Ñu: Morínigo recala en La Arboleda" [Rubio Ñu: Morínigo lands at La Arboleda] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ "Sergio Orteman es el primer técnico cesado de la temporada" [Sergio Orteman is the first manager dismissed in the season] (in Spanish). Versus. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ↑ "El Emperador llega a San Lorenzo" [The Emperor arrives in San Lorenzo] (in Spanish). D10. 8 February 2026. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Pedro Sarabia en reemplazo de Barrios en el Sportivo Luqueño" [Pedro Sarabia replaces Barrios at Sportivo Luqueño] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "Víctor Bernay dejó de ser técnico de Guaraní" [Víctor Bernay ceased to be the head coach of Guaraní] (in Spanish). D10. 16 March 2026. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ↑ "Guaraní: El encargado de la dirección técnica luego de la salida de Bernay" [Guaraní: The person in charge of the technical direction after Bernay's departure] (in Spanish). Versus. 16 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ↑ "Cerro Porteño despide a Jorge Bava: el fin de un ciclo con dos títulos y poco brillo" [Cerro Porteño fire Jorge Bava: the end of a cycle with two titles and little brilliance] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ↑ "Cerro Porteño ya eligió al reemplazante interino de Jorge Bava" [Cerro Porteño already chose the interim replacement for Jorge Bava] (in Spanish). Versus. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ↑ "Pedro Sarabia renuncia a la dirección técnica del Sportivo Luqueño" [Pedro Sarabia resigns from Sportivo Luqueño's technical direction] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 23 March 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Hernán Rodrigo López asume el mando en Sportivo Luqueño" [Hernán Rodrigo López takes command at Sportivo Luqueño] (in Spanish). Radio Monumental. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Guaraní hace oficial la llegada de Leandro "Pipi" Romagnoli como nuevo DT" [Guaraní turn official the arrival of Leandro Pipi Romagnoli as new head coach] (in Spanish). Versus. 26 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ "Emotiva despedida de Achucarro" [Achucarro's emotional farewell] (in Spanish). D10. 1 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "Ariel Holan es el nuevo entrenador de Cerro Porteño" [Ariel Holan is the new manager of Cerro Porteño] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 30 March 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rubio Ñu despide oficialmente a Gustavo Morínigo" [Rubio Ñu officially bid farewell to Gustavo Morínigo] (in Spanish). Versus. 7 April 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rubio Ñu, con conducción técnica casera" [Rubio Ñu, with homemade management] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Felipe Giménez fue destituido de Nacional previo a Cerro Porteño" [Felipe Giménez was dismissed from Nacional prior to Cerro Porteño] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 7 April 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "Bernay, el elegido en Nacional" [Bernay, the chosen one at Nacional] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "El Gato da el salto de La Visera a La Arboleda" [The Cat makes the leap from La Visera to La Arboleda] (in Spanish). D10. 14 April 2026. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
- ↑ "Francisco Arce renuncia en Libertad" [Francisco Arce resigns at Libertad] (in Spanish). D10. 21 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "Juan Samudio es el nuevo director técnico de Libertad" [Juan Samudio is the new head coach of Libertad] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 23 April 2026. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ "San Lorenzo despide a Julio César Cáceres" [San Lorenzo bids farewell to Julio César Cáceres] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Mario Grana, en la conducción provisoria de San Lorenzo" [Mario Grana, in the interim management of San Lorenzo] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ↑ "Troadio Duarte pone manos a la obra en San Lorenzo" [Troadio Duarte gets to work at San Lorenzo] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ "El fixture del Torneo Apertura 2026" [The 2026 Torneo Apertura's fixture] (in Spanish). D10. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ↑ "Escándalo en Paraguay: se suspendió el Superclásico entre Olimpia y Cerro Porteño por incidentes con la policía" [Scandal in Paraguay: the Superclásico between Olimpia and Cerro Porteño was suspended due to incidents with the police] (in Spanish). DSports. 19 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "¡Confirmado! APF le da los puntos a Olimpia y se aleja de Cerro" [Confirmed! APF awards the match to Olimpia and they move away from Cerro] (in Spanish). Versus. 30 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "Table of top scorers Apertura Paraguay 2026". BeSoccer. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ↑ "El fixture del Torneo Clausura 2026" [The 2026 Torneo Clausura's fixture] (in Spanish). D10. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
External links
edit- APF's official website (in Spanish)