What Is 2020 Campeonato Nacional Primera B

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 Campeonato Nacional Primera B was the 70th season of Chile's second-tier football league, running from February 14 to December 13, 2020, with C.D. Cobreloa winning the title after a truncated season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Facts

The 2020 season started on February 14 and ended on December 13, 2020
C.D. Cobreloa won the championship after a shortened format due to the pandemic
The league featured 17 teams competing in a split-season format
Only 10 teams completed the full second stage due to pandemic disruptions
Cobreloa earned promotion to the Chilean Primera División for 2021

Overview

The 2020 Campeonato Nacional Primera B marked the 70th edition of Chile's second-tier professional football league, organized by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP). Originally scheduled for a full season, the competition faced major disruptions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a suspension from March to September 2020.

Upon resumption, the league adopted a revised format to accommodate health protocols and compressed scheduling. Despite challenges, the tournament concluded with C.D. Cobreloa crowned champions, securing promotion to the top-flight Primera División for the 2021 season.

Seventeen teams participated in the 2020 season, including promoted sides and those relegated from the 2019 Primera División.
The season was originally set to follow a split Apertura and Clausura format, but was restructured into a single championship after the restart.
Matches resumed in September 2020 behind closed doors, with strict health protocols enforced by the ANFP and Chilean Ministry of Health.
C.D. Cobreloa finished first in the final standings with 40 points from 22 games, edging out Deportes Copiapó by three points.
Due to the truncated schedule, only the league winner earned promotion to the Primera División, bypassing the usual playoff system.

How It Works

The 2020 Primera B season operated under unique conditions due to the pandemic, requiring structural changes to ensure completion. The original plan was abandoned in favor of a condensed single-table format after the restart.

Format Change: The league shifted from a two-tournament system to a single round-robin followed by a reduced second stage involving the top 10 teams.
Match Schedule: Teams played 22 games instead of the planned 34, with fixtures compressed into a five-month window from September to December.
Health Protocols: All matches were held without spectators, and players underwent weekly PCR testing to prevent outbreaks.
Points System: Teams earned three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss, consistent with FIFA standards.
Promotion Rules: Only the first-place team at season's end, C.D. Cobreloa, was promoted, as relegation from Primera División was suspended.
Disciplinary Measures: Yellow and red cards were tracked, with suspensions enforced; however, no teams were disqualified due to misconduct.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2020 Primera B season with previous editions highlighting structural differences due to the pandemic:

Season	Teams	Champion	Matches Played	Promoted Team(s)
2018	16	Deportes Antofagasta	30	Antofagasta, Santiago Morning
2019	16	Deportes La Serena	34	La Serena
2020	17	C.D. Cobreloa	22	Cobreloa
2021	17	Deportes Magallanes	34	Magallanes, Coquimbo Unido
2022	17	Deportes Copiapó	34	Copiapó, Unión San Felipe

The 2020 season stands out due to its abbreviated length and modified rules. Unlike prior years, no relegation occurred from the Primera División, and only one team was promoted. The reduced number of matches and lack of playoffs underscore the exceptional circumstances under which the tournament operated, setting it apart from standard league operations.

Why It Matters

The 2020 Campeonato Nacional Primera B was significant not only for determining promotion but also for demonstrating the resilience of Chilean football amid a global crisis. The successful completion of the season, despite interruptions, preserved competitive integrity and provided a pathway for clubs to advance.

Historic achievement: C.D. Cobreloa returned to the top flight after a 12-year absence, marking a milestone for the club and its supporters.
Pandemic adaptation: The revised format served as a model for other leagues facing similar disruptions, showcasing flexibility in tournament design.
Economic impact: Completing the season allowed clubs to maintain broadcast revenue and sponsorship deals during a financially unstable period.
Youth development: The league provided playing time for emerging talents, with several players earning moves to Primera División clubs.
Regulatory precedent: The ANFP's decisions set benchmarks for handling future disruptions, influencing policies in lower divisions.
National unity: Football's return offered a sense of normalcy and national engagement during a time of widespread uncertainty.

The 2020 season remains a testament to adaptability in sports, proving that even under extreme conditions, organized competition can persist with proper planning and cooperation.