Segunda División

The Segunda División, also known as LaLiga SmartBank due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest professional football division in the Spanish football league system. Founded in 1929, it is organized by the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LFP).

The Segunda División is a gateway to the top tier of Spanish football, LaLiga. It consists of 22 teams, with the top two teams and a winner of a play-off involving teams from third to sixth place earning promotion to LaLiga each season. The bottom four teams are relegated to the Segunda División B.

The league has been a breeding ground for young talents and a second chance for veterans. It has seen the rise of teams like Deportivo La Coruña, Real Betis, and Sevilla FC, who have all had successful stints in LaLiga. The league has also been home to teams like Real Murcia, Cádiz CF, and Elche CF, who have spent the majority of their history in the Segunda División.

The Segunda División operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera División and the Segunda División B. The three lowest placed teams in Segunda División are relegated to the Segunda División B, and the top two teams from the Segunda B, along with the winner of a playoff, are promoted in their place.

The competition format follows the usual double round-robin format. During the course of a season, which lasts from August to June, each club plays every other club twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 42 games. Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, with the highest-ranked club at the end of the season crowned champion.

The most successful club in the league's history is Real Murcia, with 7 titles, followed by Sporting Gijón and Deportivo La Coruña, with 5 titles each. The current champion is RCD Espanyol, who won the 2020-2021 season.

Despite being a second-tier league, the Segunda División has a significant following. Matches are broadcasted both domestically and internationally, attracting millions of viewers. The league also enjoys a healthy level of attendance, with passionate fans filling stadiums to support their teams.

The Segunda División is more than just a football league; it is a platform for growth, a test of endurance, and a showcase of the depth and diversity of Spanish football. It is a league where dreams are made, where the joy of promotion is as intense as the despair of relegation. It is a vital part of the Spanish football landscape, contributing significantly to the country's football culture and history.