The top-tier professional football league in Spain is known as La Liga, which is short for “La Liga de Futbol Profesional” or the “La Liga Santander.” With some of the most recognized and illustrious teams, like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, it is one of the most prestigious and most competitive football leagues in the world. La Liga was established in 1929 and enjoys a considerable global following.
Twenty teams compete in the league each season under a promotion and relegation system. The bottom-placed team is demoted to the second division, while the top two teams from the second division and the champion of a playoff competition are promoted to La Liga. Typically, clubs compete for the league title, European qualifying, and safety from relegation from August to May.
La Liga is recognized for its technically advanced and aggressive brand of football, which is frequently distinguished by a heavy focus on ball control and inventive play. Some of the best football players in the world, such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and many others, have come from this league.
La Liga is a major source of cash for teams and a centre of footballing brilliance, attracting supporters from all over the world thanks to its enormous global broadcast audience. It continues to represent Spain’s illustrious football history and extensive sporting tradition.
With an average attendance of 26,933 for league matches during the 2018–19 season, La Liga is one of the most well-known professional sports leagues in the world. After fellow big five leagues Bundesliga and Premier League and ahead of Serie A and Ligue 1, La Liga is the third-highest professional association football league in the world and the eighth-highest domestic professional sports league in the world by attendance. La Liga is also the seventh-richest professional sports league in the world by revenue, behind the NFL, MLB, NBA, Premier League, NHL, and Bundesliga.
Liga BBVA was the name under which it was sponsored by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from 2008 to 2016. Then, it was known as LaLiga Santander and was sponsored by Banco Santander from 2016 to 2023. It has been named as LALIGA EA SPORTS from 2023 and is sponsored by Electronic Arts.