2026 Liga AUF Uruguaya
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 7 February – December 2026 |
← 2025 2027 → | |
The 2026 Liga Profesional de Primera División season, also known as the Liga AUF Uruguaya 2026, will be the 123rd season of the Liga AUF Uruguaya, Uruguay's top-flight football league, and the 96th in which it is professional. The season is scheduled to begin on 7 February 2026.[1]
Nacional are the defending champions.
Teams
Sixteen teams will compete in the season: the top thirteen teams in the relegation table of the 2025 season as well as three promoted teams from the 2025 Segunda División.
Team changes
The three lowest placed teams in the relegation table of the 2025 season (Plaza Colonia, Miramar Misiones and River Plate) were relegated to Segunda División for the 2026 season.[2] They were replaced by the Segunda División champions Albion, the runners-up Central Español, and the winners of the promotion play-offs Deportivo Maldonado.
Albion returned to the top flight after five years, having participated for the last time in 2021,[3] while Central Español returned after a 13-year absence,[4] and Deportivo Maldonado returned after one season. On the other hand, Plaza Colonia were relegated after one season, Miramar Misiones returned to the second tier after two seasons, and River Plate ended a 21-year spell in the top flight.[5]
Stadiums and locations
Locations of the 2026 season teams outside Montevideo.
Locations of the 2026 Primera División teams within Montevideo.
| Club | City | Home stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albion | Montevideo | Luis Franzini[i] | 16,000 |
| Boston River | Florida | Campeones Olímpicos | 5,124 |
| Central Español | Montevideo | Parque Palermo | 6,500 |
| Cerro | Montevideo | Luis Tróccoli | 25,000 |
| Cerro Largo | Melo | Antonio Ubilla | 9,000 |
| Danubio | Montevideo | Jardines del Hipódromo | 18,000 |
| Defensor Sporting | Montevideo | Luis Franzini | 16,000 |
| Deportivo Maldonado | Maldonado | Domingo Burgueño Miguel | 22,000 |
| Juventud | Las Piedras | Parque Artigas | 12,000 |
| Liverpool | Montevideo | TBD[ii] | |
| Montevideo City Torque | Montevideo | Centenario | 60,235 |
| Montevideo Wanderers | Montevideo | Parque Alfredo Víctor Viera | 11,000 |
| Nacional | Montevideo | Gran Parque Central | 34,000 |
| Peñarol | Montevideo | Campeón del Siglo | 40,700 |
| Progreso | Montevideo | Abraham Paladino | 8,000 |
| Racing | Montevideo | Osvaldo Roberto | 8,500 |
- Notes
- ^ Albion play their home matches at Estadio Luis Franzini since their stadium Parque Dr. Enrique Falco Lichtemberger does not meet league requirements.
- ^ Liverpool will play their home matches at a stadium to be determined since Estadio Belvedere was closed for reconstruction at the end of the 2025 season.[6]
Personnel and kits
| Team | Manager | Kit manufacturer | Main shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albion | Federico Nieves | Kelme | Yerba Sara |
| Boston River | Israel Damonte | Kelme | Asociación Española, Cotrans |
| Central Español | Pablo de Ambrosio | Starbade | Porto Seguro |
| Cerro | Tabaré Silva | Mgr Sport | Médica Uruguaya |
| Cerro Largo | Danielo Núñez | Concreto Sport | The La Planta |
| Danubio | Diego Monarriz | Tiffosi | CUTCSA |
| Defensor Sporting | Román Cuello | Kelme | Médica Uruguaya |
| Deportivo Maldonado | Gabriel Di Noia | Kelme | Enjoy Punta del Este |
| Juventud | Sebastián Méndez | Macron | Frigorífico Las Piedras |
| Liverpool | Camilo Speranza | Mgr Sport | Puritas |
| Montevideo City Torque | Marcelo Méndez | Puma | Mar-Plast |
| Montevideo Wanderers | Mathías Corujo | Umbro | BYD |
| Nacional | Jadson Viera | Umbro | Antel |
| Peñarol | Diego Aguirre | Puma | Antel |
| Progreso | Leonel Rocco | XU | Médica Uruguaya |
| Racing | Cristian Chambian | Macron |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torneo Apertura | ||||||
| Danubio | Gustavo Matosas | End of caretaker spell | 8 November 2025 | Pre-season | Diego Monarriz | 12 December 2025[7] |
| Boston River | Gustavo Ferreyra | 9 November 2025[8] | Israel Damonte | 19 November 2025[9] | ||
| Montevideo Wanderers | Daniel Carreño | Mutual agreement | 10 November 2025[10] | Mathías Corujo | 13 December 2025[11] | |
| Defensor Sporting | Ignacio Ithurralde | End of contract | 12 November 2025[12] | Román Cuello | 9 December 2025[13] | |
| Albion | Joaquín Boghossian | Health issues | 4 December 2025[14] | Federico Nieves | 4 December 2025[14] | |
| Liverpool | Joaquín Papa | End of contract | 12 December 2025[15] | Camilo Speranza | 12 December 2025[15] | |
Torneo Apertura
The Torneo Apertura will be the first tournament of the 2026 season. It is scheduled to begin on 7 February 2026.[1]
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification for Championship playoff |
| 2 | Boston River | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Central Español | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Cerro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Cerro Largo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Danubio | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Defensor Sporting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Deportivo Maldonado | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Juventud | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | Montevideo City Torque | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | Montevideo Wanderers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | Nacional | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | Peñarol | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 15 | Progreso | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | Racing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
First match(es) will be played: 7 February 2026. Source: AUF
Rules for classification: 1) Points, 2) Playoff game, in case two teams are tied for first place.
If there are more than two teams tied in points: 2) Goal difference, 3) Goals for, 4) Head-to-head record, 5) Drawing of lots, 6) Playoff game, in case two teams are still tied for first place.
Rules for classification: 1) Points, 2) Playoff game, in case two teams are tied for first place.
If there are more than two teams tied in points: 2) Goal difference, 3) Goals for, 4) Head-to-head record, 5) Drawing of lots, 6) Playoff game, in case two teams are still tied for first place.
Relegation
Relegation will be determined at the end of the season by computing an average of the total of points earned per game over the two most recent seasons: 2025 and 2026. The three teams with the lowest average at the end of the season will be relegated to Segunda División for the following season.
| Pos | Team | 2025 Pts |
2026 Pts |
Total Pts |
Total Pld |
Avg |
Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nacional | 79 | 0 | 79 | 37 | 2.135 | |
| 2 | Peñarol | 78 | 0 | 78 | 37 | 2.108 | |
| 3 | Liverpool | 65 | 0 | 65 | 37 | 1.757 | |
| 4 | Juventud | 61 | 0 | 61 | 37 | 1.649 | |
| 5 | Defensor Sporting | 61 | 0 | 61 | 37 | 1.649 | |
| 6 | Boston River | 55 | 0 | 55 | 37 | 1.486 | |
| 7 | Racing | 53 | 0 | 53 | 37 | 1.432 | |
| 8 | Montevideo City Torque | 49 | 0 | 49 | 37 | 1.324 | |
| 9 | Cerro Largo | 49 | 0 | 49 | 37 | 1.324 | |
| 10 | Cerro | 46 | 0 | 46 | 37 | 1.243 | |
| 11 | Danubio | 43 | 0 | 43 | 37 | 1.162 | |
| 12 | Progreso | 39 | 0 | 39 | 37 | 1.054 | |
| 13 | Montevideo Wanderers | 31 | 0 | 31 | 37 | 0.838 | |
| 14 | Albion | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegation to Segunda División |
| 15 | Central Español | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | Deportivo Maldonado | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: La Diaria[16]
References
- ^ a b "Confirmadas las fechas de la temporada 2026 del fútbol uruguayo: calendario y cambios" [The dates for the 2026 season of Uruguayan football are confirmed: schedule and changes] (in Spanish). Montevideo Portal. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Finalizó la fase regular de la Liga AUF Uruguaya: campeones, clasificados a copas internacionales y descendidos" [The Liga AUF Uruguaya's regular phase ended: champions, international cup qualifiers, and relegated teams] (in Spanish). El País. 9 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ Benítez, Pablo (13 October 2025). "Albion vuelve a Primera con un proyecto institucional sólido y otro deportivo ambicioso: clasificar a la Copa Libertadores 2027" [Albion returns to First Division with a solid institutional project and an ambitious sporting one: to qualify for the 2027 Copa Libertadores] (in Spanish). El Observador. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Central Español regresó a Primera División tras más de una década" [Central Español returned to the First Division after more than a decade] (in Spanish). ESPN. 26 October 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "¿Cuántos años consecutivos llevaba River Plate en Primera división?" [How many consecutive years had River Plate been in first division?] (in Spanish). ESPN. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ Vercesi, Martín (1 November 2025). "Belvedere, con sabor a despedida" [Belvedere, with a taste of farewell] (in Spanish). Tenfield. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Diego Monarriz fue oficializado como nuevo entrenador de Danubio para la próxima temporada" [Diego Monarriz was turned official as Danubio's new head coach for the upcoming season] (in Spanish). Montevideo Portal. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
- ^ Cozza, Marcelo (9 November 2025). "Técnico campeón, partidas y arribos" [Champion head coach, departures and arrivals] (in Spanish). Tenfield. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Boston River oficializó la contratación de Israel Damonte como nuevo entrenador" [Boston River made official the signing of Israel Damonte as new coach] (in Spanish). Montevideo Portal. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Carreño dejó de ser el entrenador de Wanderers tras rescindir contrato de común acuerdo" [Carreño ceased to be Wanderers' coach after terminating his contract by mutual agreement] (in Spanish). Montevideo Portal. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Mathías Corujo es el nuevo técnico de Wanderers: las razones de su elección y los jugadores que podrían llegar" [Mathías Corujo is the new head coach of Wanderers: the reasons for his choice and the players who could arrive] (in Spanish). El País. 13 December 2025. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ^ "Defensor decidió no renovar contrato con Ignacio Ithurralde y buscará nuevo entrenador" [Defensor decided not to renew Ignacio Ithurralde's contract and will look for a new coach] (in Spanish). Montevideo Portal. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Román Cuello será el nuevo entrenador de Defensor Sporting" [Román Cuello will be Defensor Sporting's new coach] (in Spanish). Caras y Caretas. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Albion confirmó cambio de entrenador de cara a la temporada 2026" [Albion confirmed a coaching change ahead of the 2026 season] (in Spanish). ESPN. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Liverpool confirmó la salida de Joaquín Papa como entrenador: ya hay sucesor elegido" [Liverpool confirmed Joaquín Papa's departure as coach: a successor has already been chosen] (in Spanish). Montevideo Portal. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
- ^ "¿Cómo arranca la tabla del descenso en 2026?" [How does the relegation table start in 2026?] (in Spanish). La Diaria. 9 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
External links
- Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol - Liga AUF Uruguaya (in Spanish)