Buenos Aires, January 20 – The Opening Tournament of the Professional Football League will kick off this Thursday with a full day of action featuring five matches. Amidst the chaos of tournaments organized by the Argentine Football Association, the Opening Tournament will maintain the same format as in 2025. The tournament will consist of two zones of 15 teams each, with the top eight from each zone advancing to the round of 16 after 16 matchdays. Each team will face the other 14 in its group, plus one interzonal match and one classic derby. From the round of 16 onward, matches will be single-elimination at the stadium of the team that finished higher in its zone, while the final will be played at a neutral venue.
The current champion of Argentine football is Estudiantes de La Plata, which won the final of the Closing Tournament against Racing in a dramatic match decided on penalties.
All the details on the format of the Opening Tournament: - There will be two zones of 15 teams each. - Each team will face the other 14 in its zone, plus one interzonal match and one classic derby. - The top eight from each zone will advance to the round of 16. - The round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals will be single-elimination matches at the home ground of the higher-ranked team. - The final will be at a neutral venue.
