History of La Liga in Timeline
La Liga, officially LaLiga EA Sports for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional football league in Spain. Organized by the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional, it features 20 teams competing in a 38-matchday season. It represents the highest level of Spanish football.
April 1928: Proposal for a National League in Spain
In April 1928, José María Acha, a director at Arenas de Getxo, proposed the idea of a national league in Spain, leading to discussions about its size and participants.
1929: Barcelona wins the first Liga title
In 1929, Barcelona won the inaugural La Liga title.
1929: Inaugural Primera División
In 1929, the Real Federación Española de Fútbol agreed on the ten teams to form the first Primera División. Arenas, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Real Unión were selected as previous winners of the Copa del Rey. Atlético Madrid, Espanyol and Europa qualified as Copa del Rey runners-up and Racing de Santander qualified through a knockout competition.
1929: Inaugural La Liga Season
In 1929, the first La Liga championship was played.
1930: Athletic Bilbao Wins La Liga
In 1930, Athletic Bilbao won the La Liga title.
1931: Athletic Bilbao Wins La Liga
In 1931, Athletic Bilbao won the La Liga title.
1932: Real Madrid wins its first Liga title
In 1932, Real Madrid, with Ricardo Zamora, won their first La Liga title.
1933: Real Madrid wins its second Liga title
In 1933, Real Madrid, with Ricardo Zamora, secured their second La Liga title.
1933: Real Madrid last win of La Liga
In 1933, the last time Real Madrid won La Liga before their win in 1954.
1934: Athletic Bilbao Wins La Liga
In 1934, Athletic Bilbao won the La Liga title.
1935: Real Betis Wins La Liga
In 1935, Real Betis, known then as Betis Balompié, won their only La Liga title to date.
1936: Athletic Bilbao Wins La Liga
In 1936, Athletic Bilbao won the La Liga title.
1939: Atlético Aviación replaces Real Oviedo in La Liga
In 1939, Atlético Aviación was awarded a place in the Primera División for the 1939–40 season as a replacement for Real Oviedo, whose ground was damaged during the Spanish Civil War.
1940: Sevilla finished as La Liga runners-up
In 1940, Sevilla finished as runners-up in La Liga.
1941: Atlético Aviación wins second La Liga title
In 1941, Atlético Aviación retained their La Liga title, marking their second consecutive win.
1942: Sevilla finished as La Liga runners-up
In 1942, Sevilla finished as runners-up in La Liga.
1943: Athletic Bilbao wins La Liga and Copa del Generalísimo double
In 1943, Athletic Bilbao achieved a La Liga and Copa del Generalísimo double.
1944: Athletic Bilbao wins Copa del Generalísimo
In 1944, Athletic Bilbao won the Copa del Generalísimo.
1944: Josep Samitier returns to Barcelona as a coach
In 1944, Josep Samitier returned to Barcelona as a coach.
1945: Athletic Bilbao wins Copa del Generalísimo
In 1945, Athletic Bilbao won the Copa del Generalísimo.
1945: Barcelona wins their second La Liga title
In 1945, Barcelona, guided by coach Josep Samitier, secured their second La Liga title.
1946: Sevilla wins La Liga
In 1946, Sevilla won their only La Liga title to date.
1947: Valencia wins La Liga title
In 1947, Valencia secured another La Liga title.
1948: Barcelona wins La Liga title
In 1948, Barcelona secured La Liga title.
1948: Valencia finished as La Liga runners-up
In 1948, Valencia finished as runners-up in La Liga.
1949: Barcelona wins La Liga title
In 1949, Barcelona secured La Liga title.
1949: Valencia finished as La Liga runners-up
In 1949, Valencia finished as runners-up in La Liga.
1950: Athletic Bilbao wins Copa del Generalísimo
In 1950, Athletic Bilbao won the Copa del Generalísimo.
1950: Atlético Madrid wins La Liga
In 1950, Atlético Madrid, previously known as ''Atlético Aviación'', were champions under coach Helenio Herrera.
1951: Atlético Madrid wins La Liga
In 1951, Atlético Madrid were champions under coach Helenio Herrera.
1951: FC Barcelona wins La Liga and Copa Del Rey double
In 1951, FC Barcelona won the La Liga and Copa Del Rey double under coach Ferdinand Daučík.
1952: FC Barcelona wins multiple trophies
In 1952, FC Barcelona won La Liga, Copa Del Rey, Copa Eva Duarte, Latin Cup and Copa Martini & Rossi.
1954: Real Madrid wins La Liga
In 1954, Real Madrid won their third La Liga title, marking their first title since 1933.
1955: Real Madrid retains La Liga title
In 1955, Real Madrid retained their La Liga title.
1956: Athletic Bilbao wins La Liga
In 1956, Athletic Bilbao won their sixth La Liga title.
1959: Barcelona wins La Liga and Copa Del Rey double
In 1959, coached by Helenio Herrera and featuring Luis Suárez, Barcelona won a La Liga and Copa Del Rey double.
1960: Real Madrid dominates La Liga
From 1960 to 1980, Real Madrid dominated La Liga, being crowned champions 14 times.
1960: Barcelona wins La Liga
In 1960, Barcelona, coached by Helenio Herrera and featuring Luis Suárez, won La Liga.
1961: Real Madrid wins five La Liga titles in a row
From 1961 to 1965, Real Madrid won five La Liga titles in a row.
1961: Luis Suárez World Record Transfer
In 1961, Luis Suárez became the first La Liga player involved in a world record transfer, moving from Barcelona to Inter Milan for £152,000 (£4.3 million in 2023).
1963: Atlético Madrid finished second place
In 1963, Atlético Madrid finished second place.
1965: Real Madrid wins five La Liga titles in a row
From 1961 to 1965, Real Madrid won five La Liga titles in a row.
1966: Atlético Madrid crowned La Liga champions
In 1966, Atlético Madrid were crowned La Liga champions.
1970: Atlético Madrid crowned La Liga champions
In 1970, Atlético Madrid were crowned La Liga champions.
1971: Valencia wins La Liga
In 1971, Valencia won their fourth La Liga title under Alfredo Di Stéfano.
1973: Atlético Madrid crowned La Liga champions
In 1973, Atlético Madrid were crowned La Liga champions.
1974: Barcelona wins La Liga
In 1974, the Johan Cruyff-inspired Barcelona won their ninth La Liga title.
1977: Atlético Madrid crowned La Liga champions
In 1977, Atlético Madrid were crowned La Liga champions.
1980: Real Madrid dominates La Liga
From 1960 to 1980, Real Madrid dominated La Liga, being crowned champions 14 times.
1981: Real Sociedad wins La Liga
In 1981, Real Sociedad won their first La Liga titles.
1982: Barcelona Signs Diego Maradona for Record Fee
In 1982, Barcelona set a world record by signing Diego Maradona from Boca Juniors for £5 million (£22 million in 2023).
1982: Real Sociedad wins La Liga
In 1982, Real Sociedad won their first La Liga titles.
1983: Athletic Bilbao wins La Liga
In 1983, Athletic Bilbao also managed to win La Liga titles.
1984: Athletic Bilbao wins La Liga and Copa del Rey double
In 1984, Athletic Bilbao also managed to win La Liga and Copa del Rey double.
1985: Barcelona wins La Liga
In 1985, Barcelona won their tenth La Liga title under coach Terry Venables, their first La Liga win since 1974.
1991: Barcelona wins four consecutive La Liga titles
Between 1991 and 1994, Johan Cruyff's team won four consecutive La Liga titles.
1992: Barcelona wins their first European Cup
In 1992, Johan Cruyff's team won their first European Cup.
1994: Barcelona wins four consecutive La Liga titles
Between 1991 and 1994, Johan Cruyff's team won four consecutive La Liga titles.
1995: Real Madrid Wins La Liga
In 1995, Real Madrid ended Barcelona's successful run by winning La Liga.
1996: Atlético Madrid Wins La Liga and Copa Del Rey Double
In 1996, Atlético Madrid secured their ninth La Liga title and their only Liga/Copa Del Rey double.
1996: Atlético Madrid Wins La Liga
In 1996, Atlético Madrid won their tenth La Liga title.
1997: Real Madrid Wins La Liga
In 1997, Real Madrid won another La Liga title.
1997: UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup
UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup were held in 1997.
1998: Barcelona Wins La Liga and Copa Del Rey Double
In 1998, Barcelona, under Louis van Gaal and with players like Luís Figo, Luis Enrique, and Rivaldo, won La Liga and their fourth double of Liga and Copa Del Rey.
1998: Real Betis Signs Denílson for Record Fee
In 1998, Real Betis set the world record when they signed Denílson from São Paulo for £21.5 million (£47.8 million in 2023).
1999: Valencia Wins Copa del Rey
In 1999, Valencia also won the Copa del Rey.
2000: Deportivo La Coruña Wins La Liga
In 2000, Deportivo La Coruña, managed by Javier Irureta, became the ninth team to win La Liga. Valencia were also runners-up in the UEFA Champions League.
2001: Real Madrid Wins La Liga
In 2001, Real Madrid secured their first La Liga title of the century.
2001: Valencia Runner-up in the UEFA Champions League
In 2001, Valencia were runners-up in the UEFA Champions League under Hector Cuper.
2002: Valencia wins La Liga
In 2002, Valencia were crowned La Liga champions under Rafael Benítez.
2003: Real Madrid Wins La Liga
In 2003, Real Madrid won another La Liga title.
2003: Deportivo La Coruña Champions League Semi-Finals Appearance
In the 2003-04 season, Deportivo La Coruña reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
2005: Barcelona Retains La Liga Title
In the 2005-06 season, Barcelona retained the La Liga title, marking back-to-back wins.
2006: Real Madrid Wins La Liga
In the 2006-07 season, Real Madrid, with players like Raúl, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gonzalo Higuaín, won the La Liga title.
September 2007: Barcelona requests recognition of 1937 title
On September 28, 2007, Barcelona requested the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to recognize their 1937 Mediterranean League title as a Liga title, following a similar request from Levante regarding the Copa de la España Libre. The governing body of Spanish football has not yet made a decision.
2007: Real Madrid Wins Back-to-Back La Liga Titles
In the 2007-08 season, Real Madrid won back-to-back La Liga titles.
2008: La Liga sponsored by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria as Liga BBVA
In 2008, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria began sponsoring La Liga, resulting in the league being known as Liga BBVA.
2008: Creation of LFP Awards
In the 2008–09 season, the governing body created the LFP Awards (now called La Liga Awards), awarded each season to individual players and coaches.
2009: Barcelona or Real Madrid achieve top-rated club status
From 2009, either Barcelona or Real Madrid achieved the continent's top-rated club status in 10 of the 11 seasons up to 2019.
2009: Real Madrid Achieves Record Points but Finishes Behind Barcelona
In the 2009-10 season, Real Madrid achieved a record 96 points but still finished behind Barcelona.
2010: Barcelona Wins La Liga with 99 points
In the 2009-10 season, Barcelona amassed 99 points to win La Liga.
2011: Barcelona Wins Third Straight La Liga Title
In the 2010-11 season, Barcelona won a third straight La Liga title with 96 points.
2012: Real Madrid Wins La Liga with Record Points and Goals
In the 2011-12 season, Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho and with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ángel Di María, Mesut Özil and Karim Benzema, won their 32nd La Liga title with a record 100 points, 121 goals scored, and a +89 goal difference.
2013: Real Madrid Wins Champions League and Sevilla Wins Europa League
During the 2013–14 season Real Madrid won their tenth Champions League title and Sevilla won their third Europa League
2013: Real Madrid Buys Gareth Bale for Record Fee
In 2013, Gareth Bale was bought by Real Madrid for £85.3m (€103.4m or $140m at the time; £123.5m in 2023) from Tottenham Hotspur.
2013: La Liga tops European League Rankings
In 2013, La Liga began a seven-year stretch as the top league in Europe according to UEFA coefficient rankings.
2013: Barcelona Wins La Liga Replicating 100 Points Record
In the 2012-13 season, Barcelona, under coach Tito Vilanova, won another La Liga title, replicating the 100 points record achieved by Real Madrid the previous year.
2013: Introduction of Monthly Manager and Player of the Month Awards
Since the 2013–14 season, La Liga has also bestowed the monthly manager of the month and player of the month awards.
2014: Real Madrid Wins Champions League and Sevilla Wins Europa League
During the 2013–14 season Real Madrid won their tenth Champions League title and Sevilla won their third Europa League
2014: Atlético Madrid Wins La Liga
In the 2013-14 season, Atlético Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, won their tenth La Liga title, their first since 1996.
2015: Barcelona Wins Champions League and Sevilla Wins Europa League
During the 2014–15 season Barcelona won their fifth Champions League title and Sevilla won their fourth Europa League
2015: La Liga Enters Five Teams in Champions League Group Stage
In 2015, La Liga became the first league to enter five teams in the Champions League group stage due to a rule change allowing the Europa League winner (Sevilla) to qualify alongside Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Valencia.
2015: Discontinuation of Most LFP Awards
The majority of the LFP Awards were discontinued after the 2015–16 season.
2016: La Liga sponsored by Banco Santander as LaLiga Santander
In 2016, Banco Santander became the sponsor of La Liga, leading to the league's name changing to LaLiga Santander.
2016: Barcelona Wins Back-to-Back Liga/Copa Del Rey Double
In the 2015-16 season, Barcelona won a back-to-back Liga/Copa Del Rey double, a feat not achieved since the 1950s.
2017: Real Madrid Wins Champions League and Atlético Madrid Wins Europa League
During the 2017–18 season Real Madrid won their thirteenth Champions League title and Atlético Madrid won their third Europa League.
2017: Real Madrid Wins La Liga
In the 2016-17 season, Real Madrid, under the management of Zinedine Zidane, won the La Liga title.
January 2018: Philippe Coutinho Transfers to Barcelona
In January 2018, Philippe Coutinho's transfer to Barcelona for €142m.
2018: La Liga average attendance
During the 2018-19 season, La Liga had an average attendance of 26,933 for league matches.
2018: Barcelona Wins La Liga and Eighth Double
In the 2017-18 season, Barcelona won La Liga and their eighth double, marking seven La Liga titles in ten years.
2019: End of La Liga's Dominance in UEFA Rankings
In 2019, La Liga's seven-year run as the top league in Europe ended. However, La Liga had led Europe for 22 of the 60 ranked years up to 2019, more than any other country.
2019: Barcelona Wins 26th La Liga Title
In the 2018-19 season, Barcelona retained the La Liga title and won their 26th La Liga title, marking eight La Liga titles in eleven years.
2020: La Liga Non-EU Player Restrictions
In La Liga in 2020, each club is allowed five non-EU players but can only name three in each matchday squad.
2020: Atlético Madrid Wins La Liga
In the 2020-21 season, Atlético Madrid won La Liga with Real Madrid as runners-up.
August 2021: La Liga Clubs Approve Deal with CVC Capital Partners
In August 2021, La Liga clubs approved a €2.7 billion deal to sell 10% of the league to CVC Capital Partners.
2022: Real Madrid Wins La Liga
In the 2021-22 season, Real Madrid won La Liga with four games to spare.
2023: La Liga Rebrands with New Logo and Sponsor
In 2023, La Liga rebranded itself with a new logo and a new sponsor, EA (Electronic Arts), replacing Santander. The Primera and Segunda Divisions were renamed LaLiga EA Sports and LaLiga Hypermotion.
2023: Teams Promoted to La Liga
In 2023, Leganés and Real Valladolid were directly promoted to La Liga, and Espanyol won the promotion play-off.
2023: Real Madrid wins 2023-24 La Liga
In 2023, Real Madrid won the 2023-24 edition of La Liga, marking their most recent title and a record 36th win overall.
2023: La Liga Sponsored by Electronic Arts as LaLiga EA Sports
Since 2023, Electronic Arts has sponsored La Liga, and the league is now known as LaLiga EA Sports.
December 2024: La Liga Obtains Court Order to Block Piracy Sites
In December 2024, La Liga obtained a court order to compel internet service providers to block access to IP addresses belonging to Cloudflare in Spain to block piracy sites.
2024: La Liga Ranked Third in UEFA Coefficient Rankings
As of 2024, La Liga is ranked third in the UEFA coefficient rankings, reflecting performances in European competitions over the previous five seasons, trailing behind the English Premier League and Italian Serie A.
2024: La Liga Championships Played
From the 1929 season until the 2024-25 season, 94 La Liga championships have been played.
February 2025: Implementation of Blocking Order Causes Access Issues
In February 2025, the blocking order was implemented, causing access issues to websites and services unrelated to piracy concerns within Spain. Several football teams and Movistar Plus+ were affected.
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