What Is 2019-20 Campeonato de Fútbol Femenino

Overview

The 2019-20 Campeonato de Fútbol Femenino marked the seventh edition of Colombia's premier women's football competition, officially known as the Liga Femenina BetPlay. Organized by the División Mayor del Fútbol Profesional Colombiano (Dimayor), the season was designed to expand the visibility and competitiveness of women's football in the country.

This season introduced a new format with more teams and a longer schedule, aiming to professionalize the league. However, it was ultimately cut short due to the emerging global health crisis. Despite the interruption, the competition managed to complete its playoff stage and crown a champion.

• 18 teams participated, the largest number in the league’s history up to that point, reflecting growth in women’s football infrastructure.
• The season kicked off in August 2019 and was originally scheduled to conclude in May 2020, but was suspended in March due to the pandemic.
• América de Cali claimed their first national title by defeating Santa Fe 2–1 on aggregate in the two-legged final.
• Each team played 17 matches in the regular season, following a single round-robin format before advancing to playoffs.
• The league was officially named Liga Femenina BetPlay due to sponsorship by the Colombian betting platform BetPlay.

How It Works

The 2019-20 Campeonato Femenino implemented a new structure to increase competitiveness and national representation. The competition was divided into a regular season and a playoff phase, with qualification based on standings.

• Regular Season: All 18 teams played each other once in a single round-robin format, totaling 17 matches per team. The top eight advanced to the quarterfinals.
• Playoff Format: The top eight teams entered a knockout stage, with quarterfinals and semifinals played over two legs, followed by a two-legged final.
• Home and Away Legs: Each playoff tie, including the final, used aggregate scoring, with away goals as a tiebreaker, similar to CONMEBOL standards.
• Player Registration: Each squad could register up to 25 players, with a minimum of two goalkeepers and at least six players under age 23.
• Substitutions: Teams were allowed five substitutions per match, a temporary rule later adopted globally during the pandemic period.
• Suspension and Conclusion: The league was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the finals were completed before full cancellation.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2019-20 season with previous editions in terms of structure, participation, and outcomes.

The expansion to 18 teams in 2019-20 represented a strategic effort to include more regional clubs and promote national development. While the season was shortened, it maintained high competitive standards, with standout performances from young talents like Linda Caicedo, who continued to dominate scoring charts despite the abbreviated schedule.

Why It Matters

The 2019-20 season was a turning point for women’s football in Colombia, both in terms of structural growth and visibility. It highlighted the sport’s rising profile and the impact of institutional support.

• The inclusion of 18 teams helped integrate more female athletes into professional football and expanded regional representation across Colombia.
• América de Cali’s victory marked a shift in dominance, ending Atlético Huila’s two-year championship streak and diversifying title winners.
• The league saw increased media coverage, with live broadcasts on Win Sports+, enhancing fan engagement and visibility for women athletes.
• Young stars like Linda Caicedo continued to emerge, drawing attention from international scouts and boosting national team prospects.
• The season’s suspension due to COVID-19 underscored the vulnerability of women’s sports to external disruptions and funding gaps.
• Despite challenges, completing the finals set a precedent for finishing seasons under crisis conditions, influencing future league planning.

This edition of the Campeonato Femenino laid groundwork for future professionalization, including eventual salary regulations and centralized broadcasting deals in later years.