Spanish Women's Football League Evolution and Structure
The landscape of women's football in Spain has undergone a rapid transformation to professionalize the sport and create a more streamlined competitive pyramid. Managed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the league system has evolved through several iterations to bridge the gap between amateur play and the elite professional level.
The Emergence of a New Second Tier
The journey toward a structured professional pyramid began on 24 July 2018, when the RFEF agreed to establish a new second division. This was designed to sit between the top-flight Primera División, which consisted of 16 teams, and the expansive Segunda División, which involved 112 teams.
For its inaugural season, the new league featured 32 teams split into two groups. This cohort was comprised of the 30 highest-ranking teams from the 2018–19 Segunda División and the two teams relegated from the 2018–19 Primera División.
Rebranding and Professionalization
As the league matured, its identity shifted to reflect its growing status. In July 2019, the second tier was renamed Segunda División Pro, and was subsequently rebranded as Reto Iberdrola for sponsorship purposes. Consequently, the level below it reclaimed its original name, Primera Nacional.
A significant milestone was reached on 10 June 2020, when the Segunda División was officially granted professionalized league status, marking a critical step in the development of the women's game in Spain.
The 2022 Structural Overhaul
After three seasons of operation, the RFEF implemented a comprehensive restructuring in early 2022 to align the women's system more closely with the men's post-2021 framework. This reorganization created a clearer hierarchy of professional and semi-professional tiers.
Under this new system, the Primera División remained a standalone professional league of 16 teams. A new second tier, the Primera Federación, was introduced as a single nationwide division of 16 teams. The previous Segunda División Pro (with its two regional groups and 32 teams) became the third tier, renamed Segunda Federación.
Finally, the Primera Nacional, which consisted of 96 teams across six regional groups of 16, became the fourth tier. Prior to the 2023–24 season, this fourth level was renamed the Tercera Federación FUTFEM.
Key Facts
- Governing Body: Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
- Top Tier: Primera División (16 professional teams).
- Second Tier: Primera Federación (16 teams, nationwide).
- Third Tier: Segunda Federación (32 teams, regionalized).
- Fourth Tier: Tercera Federación FUTFEM (96 teams, six regional groups).
- Professional Status: Segunda División was granted professional status on 10 June 2020.
League Hierarchy Summary
| Tier | Current Name (Post-2022) | Structure | Previous Name/Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primera División | 16 teams (Professional) | Primera División |
| 2 | Primera Federación | 16 teams (Nationwide) | New Tier |
| 3 | Segunda Federación | 32 teams (Regional) | Segunda División Pro / Reto Iberdrola |
| 4 | Tercera Federación FUTFEM | 96 teams (6 Groups) | Primera Nacional |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the second division first created?
The Royal Spanish Football Federation agreed to create the new second division on 24 July 2018.
What was the purpose of the Reto Iberdrola name?
Reto Iberdrola was a rebranding of the Segunda División Pro for sponsorship reasons.
When did the Segunda División become professional?
The Segunda División was granted professionalized league status on 10 June 2020.
How many teams compete in the Primera Federación?
The Primera Federación is a single nationwide division consisting of 16 teams.
What is the current name of the fourth tier?
The fourth tier was renamed the Tercera Federación FUTFEM prior to the 2023–24 season.