Chilean Women's Championship
The Chilean Women's Championship, officially Primera División Femenina de Fútbol de Chile, is the top tier of women's club football in Chile. Run by the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP), it features leading women's teams from across the nation, boosting women's soccer in Latin America. Launched in 2006 as a pilot, it gained full status in 2017 amid the global surge in women's sports. Currently, around 14 teams compete for the national title and spots in continental competitions.
History and foundation
The league's history began in 2006 with ANFP's inaugural women's national championship. Early years were patchy, with sporadic tournaments and varying participant numbers. The 2017 season marked its professional era, with Universidad de Deportes claiming the first title. Colo-Colo snatched victory in 2019. COVID-19 halted play in 2020, but 2021 saw a revamped format. Notably, 2022 match viewership jumped 40% due to national TV broadcasts. Chilean stars like Yanette Enríquez shone at the 2020 Olympics, elevating the league's profile.
Tournament format
Since 2023, the format splits into Apertura (fall, 14 teams, round-robin) and Clausura (spring, similar). Phase winners contest the grand final for the championship. The overall victor qualifies for Copa Libertadores Femenina. Two bottom teams face relegation to Segunda División. Regular season spans 26 rounds, with playoffs for top-4 per phase. Matches occur on home grounds, prioritizing fair play.
Interesting facts
The league averages 2.8 goals per game, spiking in rivalries like Colo-Colo vs. Universidad. Top scorers include María José Uribe (Universidad, 45 goals career) and Fabiana Pérez (Colo-Colo, 38). Standouts: midfielder Daniela González (25 assists) and keeper Vanessa Villanuéva (20 clean sheets). Players like Enríquez have moved to Europe (Spain, USA), highlighting talent. 2023/24 average attendance: 1,500.