Segunda División (Peru) 2026/27

The Peruvian second tier operates under the name Liga 2, sitting directly below the top flight and above the newly established third division. It functions as the primary professional second division, overseen by the Peruvian Football Federation. The competition features a complex structure designed to manage a growing number of participants. The season begins with a regional stage where teams split into two geographic groups for double round-robin matches. High performers from these regions advance to a national group stage, while others enter a relegation battle. The top teams from the national phase then compete in play-offs known as the Ligiulla to determine the champion and promotion spots. This format creates a distinct pathway for advancement. The winner and the runner-up, decided via a repechage match, secure promotion to the first division. Conversely, the bottom team from the relegation group faces demotion to the third tier. This structure interacts with the amateur system, where the winner of the Copa Perú gains direct access to the top flight, and the runner-up enters Liga 2. The league has undergone significant structural changes in recent years. Originally founded in 1943 as the modern iteration of the second tier, it was renamed from Segunda División to Liga 2 in 2019. This change coincided with the creation of the third tier, which replaced the Copa Perú as the official third level, although the amateur tournament remains the entry point for amateur clubs. Current planning indicates an expansion of the league. While the previous season featured 15 clubs, the layout for the 2026 season includes eight participating teams: Academia Cantolao, Alianza Universidad, Ayacucho FC, Bentín Tacna Heroica, Carlos A. Mannucci, and César Vallejo. These clubs compete within the regional and national stages to reach the final play-offs.

The competition distinguishes itself through its multi-stage progression and the integration of amateur and professional levels. Unlike standard leagues with simple promotion and relegation, Liga 2 utilises a regional filter before the national contest, ensuring geographic balance during the early stages. The involvement of the Copa Perú winner in the top flight adds a unique element to the South American football landscape. This setup allows smaller clubs to bypass intermediate tiers if they succeed in the amateur tournament.