Primera División - Apertura (Uruguay) 2026/27

The Primera División - Apertura serves as the opening tournament of Uruguay's professional football calendar. It runs from January to March before the mid-season knockout and the closing fixture. The winner secures a place in the Copa Libertadores, the continental club competition.

This phase differs from the full season structure which aggregates points from three distinct tournaments to crown an overall champion. While the aggregate table determines the national title, the Apertura winner qualifies directly for South America's premier tournament. The format sets it apart from other leagues that typically pair the league champion with a domestic cup winner for continental spots.

Promotion from the Segunda División Profesional involves three teams: the champion, the runner-up, and the winner of a playoff. Two clubs face relegation based on their final standing in the aggregate table. This system replaced the previous average points calculation method.

Clubs such as Albion FC, Cerro, and Nacional compete within this framework. Nacional claimed the overall title in the 2025 season. Peñarol holds the record for the most official titles with 52, though the Apertura focuses on the specific January-to-March period rather than the entire historical tally.

The landscape includes emerging sides like Albion FC and Atletico Torque alongside established entities. The tournament operates under the Liga AUF Uruguaya branding. It contrasts with the Clausura, which runs from August to November, and the mid-season Torneo Intermedio where the winner qualifies for the Supercopa Uruguaya.

The structure allows for multiple entries into continental competitions. The Apertura winner joins the Clausura victor in the Libertadores. This dual qualification route highlights the importance of consistent performance across all three phases. The season began with eight clubs listed, though the full tier comprises sixteen participants.