The Metropolitano championship ("Campeonato Metropolitano") was an Argentine football tournament which existed between 1967 and 1984. The Metropolitano formed one half of the Primera División, taking place in the first half of the year, while the Nacional championship ("Campeonato Nacional") took place in the 2nd half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982 when they were reversed. The Metropolitano and Nacional were abandoned to make way for European style seasons beginning in 1985–1986.
The Metropolitano utilized a number of different formats, including the basic league table, 2 groups qualifying to semi-finals. The number of participants varied between a low of 18 (1972, 1973 and 1981) to a high of 23 (1977)
Format
Initially, the tournament was held in the first half of the year. Until 1969, it was played in 2 zones, followed by the direct elimination format to define the champion. The best clubs qualified for the Campeonato Nacional, a complementary first division tournament held in the second semester. The following clubs qualified for the Torneo Promocional. While the worst clubs competed in a reclassification tournament with the best teams in the Primera División B.
Starting in 1971, the tournament was played at least in the first 8 months of the year. In most editions, all-against-all system was used in two rounds. Starting in 1973, the champion qualified for the Copa Libertadores.
Starting in 1980, the tournament was held after the Campeonato Nacional.
List of Champions
Ed. Champion Runner-up First leg / single match Second leg Aggr. Res. Venue Res. Venue 1967 Estudiantes (LP) Racing Estadio Gasómetro 1968 San Lorenzo Estudiantes (LP) Monumental 1969 Chacarita Juniors River Plate Estadio Racing 1970 Independiente River Plate 1971 Independiente Vélez Sársfield 1972 San Lorenzo Racing 1973 Huracán Boca Juniors 1974 Newell's Old Boys Rosario Central 1975 River Plate Huracán 1976 Boca Juniors Huracán 1977 River Plate Independiente 1978 Quilmes Boca Juniors 1979 River Plate Vélez Sársfield Estadio VélezMonumental 1980 River Plate Argentinos Juniors 1981 Boca Juniors Ferro Carril Oeste 1982 Estudiantes (LP) Independiente 1983 Independiente San Lorenzo 1984 Argentinos Juniors Ferro Carril Oeste
Notes
Titles by club ClubTitlesYears won River Plate 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980 Independiente 1970, 1971, 1983 Estudiantes (LP) 1967, 1982 San Lorenzo 1968, 1972 Boca Juniors 1976, 1981 Chacarita Juniors 1969 Huracán 1973 Newell's Old Boys 1974 Quilmes 1978 Argentinos Juniors 1984
Records River Plate hold the most titles with four, and are the only team to have won two consecutive Metropolitano championships in 1979 and 1980. Vélez Sársfield are the most successful team never to win the Metropolitano, with 2 second places, a third place and a semi-final place. Diego Maradona was topscorer in the Metropolitano three times (1978, 1979, 1980) The only other player to be topscorer on more than one occasion was Carlos Manuel Morete (1974, 1982)
See also Argentine Primera División Nacional championship Apertura and Clausura Football in Argentina
External links RSSSF list of final tables, Argentina