Paraguayan Primera División

The Paraguayan Primera División, also known as División de Honor, is the highest professional football league in Paraguay. Held annually since 1906, it features 12 teams competing in two tournaments, drawing passionate crowds and shaping the nation’s sporting culture.

• Founded in 1906, making it one of South America’s oldest leagues
• Features 12 teams competing in two annual tournaments
• Olimpia holds the record for most championships
• Cerro Porteño are the most recent champions
• Ranked 10th strongest league in the world by IFFHS in 2022

What it is

The Paraguayan Primera División, or División de Honor, is the premier football league in Paraguay. It brings together twelve of the country’s top clubs in a season-long contest, with matches played in stadiums across Paraguay. For many Paraguayans, the league is more than a competition—it’s a shared ritual that stirs local pride and brings communities together. Historic rivalries, especially between clubs like Olimpia and Cerro Porteño, fuel the excitement, and each matchday is a chance for fans to celebrate their identity and passion for the sport.

Where it comes from

The league traces its roots to 1906, when representatives of Paraguay’s five existing football teams gathered to form the Liga Paraguaya de Fútbol, the country’s first football governing body. The inaugural season saw Club Guaraní crowned as the first champion. The division turned professional in 1935, marking a new era for Paraguayan football. Over the decades, the league has evolved, with the introduction of the Apertura and Clausura tournaments and the rise of new clubs challenging the traditional dominance of Olimpia and Cerro Porteño.

How it is celebrated

The season is split into two tournaments: the Torneo Apertura from February to July and the Torneo Clausura from July to December. Each team plays home and away matches in a round-robin format, filling stadiums with the sounds of drums, chants, and vibrant displays of team colors. Fans gather with family and friends, often sharing traditional foods and local drinks as they cheer on their clubs. The atmosphere is electric, especially during classic rivalries or decisive matches that determine championship titles or relegation. Media coverage is extensive, with games broadcast live on several channels, making the league a fixture in homes and public spaces across Paraguay.

Joining in

Visitors can experience the league’s energy in cities throughout Paraguay, with major matches often held in Asunción and other large towns. Attending a game means joining crowds of passionate supporters, feeling the pulse of the stadium, and witnessing the deep connection between football and Paraguayan life. Tickets are generally available for most matches, and newcomers are welcomed into the festive, family-friendly environment. Even if you can’t attend in person, local bars and cafes often screen the games, offering another way to share in the excitement.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article APF División de Honor, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• APF División de Honor on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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