Liga Promerica (Costa Rica)

What is the Liga Promerica?

The Primera División of Costa Rican men’s football — Liga Promerica, after its sponsor Banco Promerica — is organised by UNAFUT, the Unión de Clubes de Fútbol de la Primera División, the clubs’ own union, under the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol, whose licensing committee the league’s regulations reference. Ten clubs are entered for the 2026–27 season: San Carlos, Cartaginés, Herediano, Saprissa, Escorpiones, Inter San Carlos, Alajuelense, Pérez Zeledón, Puntarenas and Sporting.^[1] [4]

How does it work?

Two tournaments a year: the Apertura from July to December and the Clausura from January to May. The Apertura 2026, which began on 26 July, has a 90-match regular phase; the top four play two-leg semifinals, first against fourth and second against third, then a final — and if the winner of the regular phase is not the finals winner, the two meet in a Gran Final for the title. One club is relegated each season on the aggregate table to the Liga de Ascenso and one promoted; Inter San Carlos is the newcomer for 2026–27.^{[1] [2] [4]}

Since when does it exist?

The league dates from 1921, which makes it one of the oldest in the region. Saprissa hold the record with 40 titles; Herediano, Saprissa and Alajuelense have shared the last ten tournaments between them, Cartaginés’ Clausura 2022 the exception, and Herediano’s Clausura 2026 title came from a 2–0 second leg against Saprissa on 16 May 2026 for a 3–2 aggregate.^[3] [4]

Champions of the last ten tournaments.

Why does it matter?

It is Costa Rica’s only professional top division, run by the clubs themselves with full competition and disciplinary regulations published by UNAFUT, and its champions are Costa Rica’s entrants to Concacaf’s club competitions — the route that puts a Costa Rican club’s players on a continental record.^[1] [4]