Liga Nacional Juvenil FPF
Football league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Liga Nacional Juvenil FPF is the official youth football competition in Peru for under-18 and under-16 categorias, featuring clubs from Liga 1 and Liga 2.[1] The Peruvian Football Federation established the competition in 2025 under the name Torneo Juvenil Sub-18.
| Founded | 2025 |
|---|---|
| First season | 2025 |
| Country |  Peru |
| Number of clubs | 22 |
| International cup | U-20 Copa Libertadores |
| Current champions | Sporting Cristal (1st title) (2025) |
| Most championships | Sporting Cristal (1 title) |
| Current: 2026 season | |
History
Background
In 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Torneo de Promoción y Reservas was canceled and was replaced by the Copa Generación Sub-18.
Creation
With the inclusion of Liga 3 in the Peruvian football league system in 2025, it was a given that the Torneo de Promoción y Reservas would cease to exist. Although it is expected that young players will have more exposure in this new competition, which also includes clubs from Copa Perú and Liga 2, it will not be the only platform for them to showcase their talent. The creation of this Third Division of national football also suggested a reorganization of youth competitions, which will arrive with the Under-18 League, a championship that is also planned for 2025.[2][3]
Torneo Juvenil Sub-18
Sporting Cristal were crowned 2025 Torneo Juvenil Sub-18 champions after a dominant 3–0 victory over Alianza Lima in the second leg of the final at the La Florida training ground. The first leg, played at the Esther Grande de Bentín stadium, had finished in a goalless draw. The 3–0 result allowed the Rimense team, coached by Rubén Díaz, to claim the Torneo Juvenil Sub-18 title and qualify for the 2026 U-20 Copa Libertadores, as well as the 2026 Liga 3.[4]
Liga Nacional Juvenil FPF
On April 23, 2026, the Peruvian Football Federation officially launched the Liga Nacional Juvenil FPF, a new competition that integrates the under-18 and under-16 categories. The tournament will be played in three stages: Phase I, Phase II, and playoffs.[5][6][7]
In its first stage (group phase), 22 clubs will participate (18 from Liga 1 and 4 from Liga 2) and will be divided into three regional groups (North, Central, and South), competing under a double round-robin format.
Qualification for Phase II will be determined by the combined standings of both categories (under-18 and under-16), with the top four clubs from each group advancing.
The qualified teams will then be drawn into two groups of six clubs each, where they will again compete in a double round-robin format. At the end of this stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.
The semifinals will be played over two legs, while the final will be a single match held at the hybrid pitch of the VIDENA.
The U-18 champion will qualify for the 2027 U-20 Copa Libertadores.
Teams
Stadia and locations
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity[8] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academia Cantolao | Callao | Miguel Grau | 17,000 |
| ADT | Tarma | Unión Tarma | 9,100 |
| Alianza Atlético | Sullana | Campeones del 36 | 12,000 |
| Alianza Lima | Lima | Alejandro Villanueva | 35,938 |
| Atlético Grau | Piura | Miguel Grau | 22,200 |
| Cajamarca | Cajamarca | Cristo El Señor | 20,000 |
| Carlos A. Mannucci | Trujillo | Mansiche | 25,036 |
| Cienciano | Cusco | Garcilaso | 45,056 |
| Comerciantes Unidos | Cutervo | Juan Maldonado Gamarra | 13,680 |
| Cusco | Cusco | Garcilaso | 45,056 |
| Deportivo Garcilaso | Cusco | Garcilaso | 45,056 |
| Deportivo Moquegua | Moquegua | 25 de Noviembre | 21,073 |
| Juan Pablo II College | Chongoyape | Complejo Juan Pablo II | 3,000 |
| Los Chankas | Andahuaylas | Los Chankas | 10,000 |
| Melgar | Arequipa | Virgen de Chapi | 40,370 |
| Sport Boys | Callao | Miguel Grau | 17,000 |
| Sport Huancayo | Huancayo | Huancayo | 20,000 |
| Sporting Cristal | Lima | Alberto Gallardo | 11,600 |
| Universidad César Vallejo | Trujillo | César Acuña Peralta | 2,000 |
| Universidad San Martín | Lima | Villa Deportiva USMP | 1,249 |
| Universitario | Lima | Monumental | 80,093 |
| UTC | Cajamarca | Héroes de San Ramón | 10,485 |
U-16 Tournament
List of champions
- (In bracket, title count):
| Ed. | Season | Champion | Runner-up | Winning manager | Top scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2026 | ||||
U-18 Tournament
List of champions
- (In bracket, title count):
| Ed. | Season | Champion | Runner-up | Winning manager | Top scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2025 | Sporting Cristal (1) | Alianza Lima | Rubén Diaz | José Ryu Yabiku (Melgar, 17 goals) |
2 | 2026 | ||||
Titles by club
| Rank | Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning years | Runners-up years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Sporting Cristal | 1 | — | 2025 | — |
Titles by region
| Region | Nº of titles | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
 Lima |
1 | Sporting Cristal |
Half-year / Short tournaments
Apertura and Clausura seasons
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apertura | Sporting Cristal[9] | Universitario de Deportes |
| Clausura | Alianza Lima[10] | Sporting Cristal | |