Score8 · Competition guide
La Liga
La Liga is the top division of Spanish football. Twenty clubs play a 38-match season, and when clubs finish level on points, their head-to-head record is used before goal difference.
Competition identity
La Liga has been Spain's top division since 1929. It is known for technically gifted players, tactical variety and some of the most famous rivalries in club football. The league is run by LALIGA, the association of Spain's professional clubs.
General structure
| Aspect | La Liga |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Clubs | 20 |
| Matches per club | 38 |
| Points | 3 / 1 / 0 |
| First tiebreaker | Head-to-head record between the tied clubs |
| Relegation | Bottom three to the Segunda División |
How the season works
The season runs from August to May across 38 matchdays. Spanish kick-off times are often spread across the weekend and into the evening, and many fall in the early hours in Malaysia because Spain uses Central European Time.
How points and results are interpreted
La Liga's key difference from England is the tiebreaker. If two clubs finish level on points, the results of the matches between them decide first; goal difference is used only after that. That makes each head-to-head meeting between title or relegation rivals especially important. Compare tiebreakers across leagues
Promotion and relegation
The bottom three clubs are relegated to the Segunda División. Two clubs are promoted automatically and a third through a play-off.
Fixtures and results
View football fixtures and browse football results for La Liga as verified data becomes available, and see the competitions hub to compare it with other leagues.