Primera Nacional

Argentine association football league From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Primera Nacional, (usually called simply Nacional B, (English "National B Division"), and known as Primera B Nacional until the 2019–20 season)[2][3] popularly known as La B (The B), is the second division of the Argentine football league system. The competition is made up of 38 teams.

Founded1986; 40 years ago (1986)
First season1986–87
Country Argentina
ConfederationCONMEBOL
Quick facts Founded, First season ...
Primera Nacional
Founded1986; 40 years ago (1986)
First season1986–87
Country Argentina
ConfederationCONMEBOL
Number of clubs36
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toPrimera División
Relegation toPrimera B Metropolitana[note 1]
Torneo Federal A[note 2]
Current championsGimnasia y Esgrima (M)
(2025)
Most championshipsBanfield
Olimpo (3 titles each)
Top scorerAdrián Czornomaz (160)[1]
Broadcaster(s)Argentina:
TyC Sports
DirecTV Sports
International:
TNT Sports
TyC Max
Websiteafa.com.ar/primerabnacional
Current: 2026 Primera Nacional
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It is played by teams from all over the country. Clubs from Buenos Aires surroundings, as well as some from Santa Fe Province, are promoted from or relegated to the Primera B Metropolitana ("Metropolitan B Division") while for teams from the other provinces the Torneo Federal A ("Federal A Tournament") is the next level down. In Argentine football, Primera Nacional is the second-highest league, and from it, the three best teams are automatically promoted to Primera División.

Primera B Nacional games are often transmitted to Argentina and abroad on television by TyC Sports.

History

It was created in 1986 to integrate unaffiliated clubs into the Argentine football structure, which until then had only participated in Nacional championships of Argentina's First Division tournament. It brought together teams from the old Primera B (until then, the second division) and regional leagues from several Argentine provinces.

After the 1985–86 season, the Primera B Nacional became the second hierarchical league in Argentina's professional football, after the Primera División, and it is above the Torneo Federal A and the Primera B Metropolitana, the last one started to act as a third division for the teams directly affiliated to AFA.

Beginning in the 2019–20 season, the name was changed dropping the B to simply be known as Primera Nacional.

Format

Main article: 2026 Primera Nacional

Thirty-six participating teams split into two zones of 18 teams, where they played against the other teams in their group twice: once at home and once away. However, interzonal matches between rival teams were played, although rival sides were still paired together for the season draw and drawn into different zones. Both zone winners played a final match on neutral ground to decide the first promoted team to the top flight for the following season, while the teams placed from second to eighth place in each zone played a knockout tournament (Torneo Reducido) for the second promotion berth along with the loser of the final between the zone winners. Four teams were relegated to the third-tier leagues, those being the bottom two teams from each zone.[4]

List of champions

Since the first season held in 1986–87, the following teams have crowned champions of the division:[5] In case of championships defined by final, they are indicated.

More information Ed., Season ...
Ed. Season Champion Final score Runner-up Third Place
1
1986–87Deportivo Armenio (1)
–[n1 1]
BanfieldBelgrano (C)
2
1987–88Deportivo Mandiyú (1)
–[n1 1]
QuilmesCipolletti
3
1988–89Chaco For Ever (1)
–[n1 1]
LanúsUnión
4
1989–90Huracán (1)
–[n1 1]
QuilmesDouglas Haig
5
1990–91Quilmes (1)
–[n1 1]
Atlético TucumánBelgrano (C)
6
1991–92Lanús (1)
–[n1 1]
Almirante BrownColón
7
1992–93Banfield (1)
0–0 (5–4 p)
ColónGimnasia y Tiro
8
1993–94Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) (1)
–[n1 1]
QuilmesSan Martin (T)
9
1994–95Estudiantes (LP) (1)
–[n1 1]
Atlético de RafaelaColón
10
1995–96Huracán (C) (1)
2–2, 4–1
Talleres (C)Atlético Tucumán
11
1996–97Argentinos Juniors (1)
–[n1 1]
Talleres (C)Godoy Cruz
12
1997–98Talleres (C) (1)
1–0, 1–2 (4–3 p)
Belgrano (C)No third-place awarded
13
1998–99Instituto (1)
3–0, 0–1
Chacarita JuniorsNo third-place awarded
14
1999–00Huracán (2)
1–0, 1–1
QuilmesNo third-place awarded
15
2000–01Banfield (2)
2–1, 4–2
QuilmesNo third-place awarded
16
2001–02Olimpo (1)
–[n1 1]
QuilmesSan Martín (M)
17
2002–03Atlético de Rafaela (1)
–[n1 1]
Argentinos JuniorsQuilmes
18
2003–04Instituto (C) (2)
0–1, 2–0
AlmagroHuracán (TA)
19
2004–05Tiro Federal (1)
1–0, 1–1
Gimnasia y Esgrima (J)Huracán
20
2005–06Godoy Cruz (1)
1–1, 3–1 (a.e.t.)
Nueva ChicagoBelgrano (C)
21
2006–07Olimpo (2)
–[n1 1]
San Martín (SJ)Huracán
22
2007–08San Martín (T) (1)
–[n1 1]
Godoy CruzUnión
23
2008–09Atlético Tucumán (1)
–[n1 1]
Chacarita JuniorsAtlético de Rafaela
24
2009–10Olimpo (3)
–[n1 1]
QuilmesAtlético de Rafaela
25
2010–11Atlético de Rafaela (2)
–[n1 1]
UniónSan Martín (SJ)
26
2011–12River Plate (1)
–[n1 1]
QuilmesInstituto
27
2012–13Rosario Central (1)
–[n1 1]
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)Olimpo
28
2013–14Banfield (3)
–[n1 1]
Defensa y JusticiaIndependiente
29
2014
(no champion crowned)[n1 2]
30
2015Atlético Tucumán (2)
–[n1 1]
PatronatoFerro Carril Oeste
31
2016Talleres (C) (2)
–[n1 1]
Chacarita JuniorsGimnasia y Esgrima (J)
32
2016–17Argentinos Juniors (2)
–[n1 1]
Chacarita JuniorsGuillermo Brown
33
2017–18Aldosivi (1)
3–1
AlmagroSan Martin (T)
34
2018–19Arsenal (1)
1–0
Sarmiento (J)Nueva Chicago
35
2019–20
(not completed due to COVID-19 pandemic)[n1 3]
36
2020Sarmiento (J) (1)
1–1 (4–3 p)
Estudiantes (RC)No third-place awarded
37
2021Tigre (1)
1–0
Barracas CentralNo third-place awarded
38
2022Belgrano (1)
–[n1 1]
InstitutoSan Martín (T)
39
2023Independiente Rivadavia (1)
2–0 (a.e.t.)
Almirante BrownNo third-place awarded
40
2024Aldosivi (2)
2–0
San Martín (T)No third-place awarded
41
2025Gimnasia y Esgrima (M) (1)
1–1 (3–0 p)
Deportivo MadrynNo third-place awarded
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Notes
  1. [1]
    Championship won on points at the end of the season.
  2. [2]
    At the end of the season, the 10 best-placed teams were directly promoted to Primera División.
  3. [3]
    On 28 April 2020, AFA decided to abandon the competition and declare the season finished due to the COVID-19 pandemic with no champion crowned. All official football competitions were suspended on 17 March 2020.

Titles by club

More information Club, Titles ...
Club Titles Runn. Seasons won
Banfield
3
1
1992–93, 2000–01, 2013–14
Olimpo
3
—
2001–02, 2006–07, 2009–10
Talleres (C)
2
2
1997–98, 2016
Atlético Tucumán
2
1
2008–09, 2015
Atlético de Rafaela
2
1
2002–03, 2010–11
Argentinos Juniors
2
1
1996–97, 2016–17
Aldosivi
2
—
2017–18, 2024
Huracán
2
—
1989–90, 1999–00
Instituto
2
—
1998–99, 2003–04
Deportivo Armenio
1
—1986–87
Deportivo Mandiyú
1
—1987–88
Chaco For Ever
1
—
1988–89
Quilmes
1
8
1990–91
Lanús
1
1
1991–92
Gimnasia y Esgrima (J)
1
1
1993–94
Estudiantes (LP)
1
—1994–95
Huracán (C)
1
—1995–96
Tiro Federal
1
—2004–05
Godoy Cruz
1
1
2005–06
San Martín (T)
1
12007–08
River Plate
1
—2011–12
Rosario Central
1
—2012–13
Arsenal
1
1
2018–19
Sarmiento (J)
1
1
2020
Tigre
1
—2021
Belgrano
1
1
2022
Independiente Rivadavia
1
—
2023
Gimnasia y Esgrima (M)
1
—
2025
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Seasons in Primera Nacional

Notes
  • Updated to 2026 season.
  • Teams in bold are currently playing in the division.
More information Club/s, Seasons ...
Club/s Seasons
Instituto
31
Atlético de Rafaela
30
Quilmes
29
Chacarita Juniors, Gimnasia y Esgrima (J), Nueva Chicago
27
Ferro Carril Oeste
26
San Martín (SJ), San Martín (T)
25
Defensa y Justicia
24
All Boys, Almagro
23
Almirante Brown, Atlético Tucumán
22
Independiente Rivadavia, Los Andes
21
Deportivo Morón
20
Belgrano (C), Douglas Haig
19
Aldosivi
17
Unión (SF), Tigre
15
Atlanta, Godoy Cruz, Temperley, Villa Dálmine
14
Arsenal, Chaco For Ever, Colón, Defensores de Belgrano, Huracán
13
Banfield, Deportivo Maipú, Estudiantes (BA), Guillermo Brown, Olimpo
12
Brown (A), Central Córdoba (R), Racing (C), Sportivo Italiano, Talleres (C)
11
Agropecuario, Boca Unidos, Central Córdoba (SdE), Cipolletti, Mitre (SdE), Patronato, Platense, Santamarina, Sarmiento (J)
10
Comisión de Actividades Infantiles, Gimnasia y Esgrima (M), Gimnasia y Tiro, Juventud Antoniana, San Martín (M), Talleres (RE)
9
El Porvenir
8
Alvarado, Estudiantes (RC), Gimnasia y Esgrima (CdU), San Miguel, Tiro Federal (R)
7
Almirante Brown (A), Deportivo Riestra, Güemes (SdE), San Telmo, Tristán Suárez
6
Argentinos Juniors, Crucero del Norte, Deportivo Madryn, Huracán (TA), Laferrere, Lanús,
5
Deportivo Merlo, Estudiantes (SL), Flandria, Guaraní Antonio Franco, Juventud Unida (G), Villa Mitre
4
Atlético Paraná, Barracas Central, Ben Hur, Central Norte, Defensores Unidos, Deportivo Español, Huracán Corrientes, Rosario Central, Sportivo Belgrano
3
Deportivo Armenio, Colegiales, Deportivo Mandiyú, Ferro Carril Oeste (GP), Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP), Ituzaingó
2
Acassuso, Atlético Concepción, Argentino (R), Ciudad de Bolívar, Desamparados, Estación Quequén, Estudiantes (LP), Ferrocarril Midland, General Paz Juniors, Independiente, Juventud Unida Universitario, River Plate, Sacachispas, Unión (MdP), Unión de Villa Krause, Villa San Carlos
1
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Top scorers

More information Season, Player ...
Season Player Team Goals
1986–87Argentina José Raúl IglesiasHuracán36
1987–88Argentina Daniel LeaniQuilmes24
1988–89Argentina Daniel AquinoBanfield24
Argentina Sergio RecchiuttiAlmirante Brown
1989–90Argentina Juan AlmadaDefensa y Justicia20
Argentina Abel BlasónQuilmes
1990–91Argentina Roberto OsteDefensa y Justicia24
1991–92Argentina Carlos CardozoAlmirante Brown26
1992–93Argentina Miguel AmayaGimnasia y Tiro (S)21
1993–94Argentina Dante FernándezQuilmes29
1994–95Argentina Alejandro AbaurreGodoy Cruz29
1995–96Argentina Adrián CzornomazLos Andes22
1996–97Honduras Eduardo BennettArgentinos Juniors23
1997–98Argentina Alejandro GlaríaBanfield30
1998–99Argentina Adrián CzornomazAtlético Tucumán26
1999–00Argentina Gastón CasasHuracán30
2000–01Argentina Daniel JiménezInstituto23
2001–02Argentina Diego CeballosGimnasia y Esgrima (CdU)26
2002–03Argentina Daniel GiménezGodoy Cruz13
Argentina Diego TorresQuilmes
2003–04Argentina Julio BevacquaComisión de Actividades Infantiles13
2004–05Argentina Rubén RamírezTiro Federal15
2005–06Argentina Daniel Bazán VeraUnión (SF)18
2006–07Argentina Ismael BlancoOlimpo29
2007–08Argentina Cristian MillaChacarita Juniors20
Argentina Leandro ZárateUnión
2008–09Argentina Luis RodríguezAtlético Tucumán20
2009–10Argentina Leandro ArmaniTiro Federal19
2010–11Argentina César CarignanoAtlético de Rafaela21
2011–12Argentina Gonzalo CastillejosRosario Central26
2012–13Argentina Luis RodríguezAtlético Tucumán20
2013–14Argentina Juan M. LuceroDefensa y Justicia24
2014Argentina Ramón ÁbilaHuracán9
Argentina Nicolás MazzolaInstituto (C)
2015Argentina Fernando ZampedriJuventud Unida (G)
25
2016Argentina Germán LesmanAll Boys
17
2016–17Argentina Rodrigo SalinasChacarita Juniors
30
2017–18Argentina Jonathan HerreraDeportivo Riestra / Ferro Carril Oeste13
2018–19Argentina Patricio CucchiGimnasia y Esgrima (M)15
2019–20Argentina Pablo MagnínSarmiento (J)
15
2020Ecuador Claudio BielerAtlético Rafaela
5
2021Argentina Pablo MagnínTigre
22
2022Argentina Pablo VegettiBelgrano (C)
17
2023Paraguay Álex ArceIndependiente Rivadavia
25
2024Argentina Agustín LavezziTristán Suárez
18
2025Argentina Alejandro GagliardiAgropecuario
18
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Notes

  1. [1]
    Clubs from Buenos Aires (autonoumous city and suburban areas)
  2. [2]
    Clubs from the rest of the Argentine provinces

References

External links

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