2026 Liga FUTVE

Liga FUTVE
Season2026
Dates29 January – December 2026
Matches63
Goals149 (2.37 per match)
Top goalscorerKevin Quejada (8 goals)
Biggest home winCarabobo 5–0 Rayo Zuliano
(15 March)
Biggest away winRayo Zuliano 1–5 UCV
(8 March)
Highest scoringRayo Zuliano 1–5 UCV
(8 March)
Caracas 4–2 Trujillanos
(17 March)
← 2025
2027 →
All statistics correct as of 23 March 2026
(1 of 2 matches finished).

The 2026 Liga FUTVE, officially Liga de Fútbol Profesional Venezolano, and known as 2026 Liga FUTVE TriunfoBet for sponsoring purposes, is the 70th season of the Liga FUTVE, the top-flight football league in Venezuela, and the 45th season since the start of its professional era. The season started on 29 January and is scheduled to end in December 2026.[1]

Universidad Central are the defending champions.

Teams

Fourteen teams compete in the season, having fulfilled club licensing requirements: the top 13 teams of the 2025 season as well as the 2025 Liga FUTVE 2 champions Trujillanos, who defeated Titanes in the Liga FUTVE 2 finals on 16 November 2025 to return to the top flight after a four-year absence.[2] Trujillanos will replace Yaracuyanos, relegated at the end of the previous season after finishing last in the aggregate table.

Locations of the 2026 Liga FUTVE teams
Locations of the 2026 Liga FUTVE teams – Caracas
Relegated to 2026 Liga FUTVE 2
14 Yaracuyanos
Promoted to 2026 Liga FUTVE
1 Trujillanos

Stadia and locations

Team City Stadium Capacity
Academia Puerto Cabello Puerto Cabello La Bombonerita 2,500
Anzoátegui Puerto La Cruz José Antonio Anzoátegui 37,485
Carabobo Valencia Misael Delgado 10,400
Caracas Caracas Olímpico de la UCV 23,940
Deportivo La Guaira Caracas Olímpico de la UCV 23,940
Deportivo Táchira San Cristóbal Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo 38,755
Estudiantes de Mérida Mérida Metropolitano de Mérida 42,200
Metropolitanos Caracas Olímpico de la UCV 23,940
Monagas Maturín Monumental de Maturín 51,796
Portuguesa Acarigua General José Antonio Páez 18,000
Rayo Zuliano Maracaibo José Pachencho Romero 40,800
Trujillanos Valera José Alberto Pérez 25,000
Universidad Central Caracas Olímpico de la UCV 23,940
Zamora Barinas Agustín Tovar 29,800

Personnel and kits

Team Manager Kit manufacturer Main shirt sponsors
Academia Puerto Cabello Eduardo Saragó Adidas CLX Samsung
Anzoátegui Giancarlo Maldonado Givova Apuestas Royal, Banco del Tesoro
Carabobo Daniel Farías Runic Frigilux, Fospuca, Apuestas Royal
Caracas Fernando Aristeguieta Pawer 1XBET, Maltín Polar
Deportivo La Guaira Héctor Bidoglio Runic Traki, Apuestas Royal
Deportivo Táchira Álvaro Recoba Boman TriunfoBet, Rutaca Airlines, Grupo JHS
Estudiantes de Mérida Jesús Gómez Econtex Daka, Apuestas Royal
Metropolitanos Francesco Stifano RS Aerolíneas Estelar, Forum Supermayorista
Monagas Octavio Zambrano RS Banplus
Portuguesa Leonardo González Boman Apuestas Royal
Rayo Zuliano Johanny García Adidas Campestre, Daka, Javitour, BDT, Farma Express
Trujillanos Pedro Vera A2vzla Fospuca, Bancamiga
Universidad Central Daniel Sasso Adidas
Zamora Noel Sanvicente Givova Thundernet, Apuestas Royal

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Torneo Apertura
Estudiantes de Mérida Jesús Ortiz Resigned 9 October 2025[3] Pre-season Jesús Gómez 30 October 2025[4]
Portuguesa Giancarlo Maldonado End of contract 12 October 2025[5] Leonardo González 21 November 2025[6]
Anzoátegui Leonardo González Sacked 23 October 2025[7] Adrián Sánchez 5 January 2026[8]
Monagas Enrique García 17 November 2025[9] Octavio Zambrano 2 December 2025[10]
Deportivo Táchira Edgar Pérez Greco End of contract 18 November 2025[11] Álvaro Recoba 19 November 2025[12]
Zamora José María Morr Mutual agreement 17 December 2025[13] Noel Sanvicente 17 December 2025[13]
Deportivo La Guaira Juan Domingo Tolisano Signed by Venezuela U20 20 January 2026[14] Héctor Bidoglio 26 January 2026[15]
Trujillanos Oswaldo Chaurant Sacked 10 March 2026[16] 11th Pedro Vera 12 March 2026[17]
Anzoátegui Adrián Sánchez 11 March 2026[18] 12th Giancarlo Maldonado 12 March 2026[19]

Torneo Apertura

The Torneo Apertura is the first tournament of the 2026 season. It began on 29 January and is scheduled to end on 7 June 2026.[1]

First stage

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Universidad Central 9 6 1 2 18 10 +8 19 Advance to the semi-finals
2 Deportivo La Guaira 9 5 4 0 10 3 +7 19
3 Metropolitanos 9 5 3 1 14 9 +5 18
4 Deportivo Táchira 9 5 2 2 10 6 +4 17
5 Academia Puerto Cabello 9 3 4 2 11 7 +4 13
6 Portuguesa 9 3 4 2 13 10 +3 13
7 Carabobo 9 2 6 1 11 6 +5 12
8 Estudiantes de Mérida 9 3 2 4 14 13 +1 11
9 Zamora 9 3 2 4 10 11 −1 11
10 Rayo Zuliano 9 3 2 4 9 16 −7 11
11 Caracas 9 1 5 3 10 12 −2 8
12 Monagas 9 2 1 6 7 16 −9 7
13 Anzoátegui 9 1 2 6 6 14 −8 5
14 Trujillanos 9 0 4 5 7 17 −10 4
Updated to match(es) played on 23 March 2026. Source: Liga FUTVE, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Drawing of lots.

Results

Home \ Away APC ANZ CBO CAR DLG TAC ESM MET MON POR RAY TRU UCV ZAM
Academia Puerto Cabello — — — — — 1–2 1–1 — — — 3–0 2–0
Anzoátegui 0–1 — — — 0–0 — 0–3 — — — 1–3 —
Carabobo 1–1 — 0–0 — — — — 1–0 0–0 5–0 — —
Caracas 1–1 — — — 0–1 — — — 4–2 1–2 —
Deportivo La Guaira 0–0 — 2–0 — — — — 2–0 1–0 — — —
Deportivo Táchira — 3–1 — — 1–0 0–1 — — — 0–0 — 2–1
Estudiantes de Mérida — — 3–2 2–2 0–1 — — — 1–2 — — —
Metropolitanos — 2–0 1–1 — 2–2 — — 1–0 3–2 — — —
Monagas 1–0 — 1–1 — 2–3 — — — — 3–1 0–3 —
Portuguesa 0–3 — 1–1 — 1–0 — — 4–0 — 1–1 — —
Rayo Zuliano 2–1 — — — — 0–0 — — — — 1–5 0–1
Trujillanos — 1–1 1–1 — — 0–1 — 2–2 — — — 0–3
Universidad Central — — — — 0–1 1–1 3–2 — — — 2–0 — 2–1
Zamora — — 0–0 1–1 — 3–2 — 0–2 — — — —
Updated to match(es) played on 23 March 2026. Source: Liga FUTVE, Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Top goalscorers

As of 23 March 2026
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Kevin Quejada Estudiantes de Mérida 8
2 Jovanny Bolívar Universidad Central 5
3 Juan Manuel Cuesta Universidad Central 4
Miku Fedor Metropolitanos
Jonathan Cañete Portuguesa
Flabián Londoño Deportivo La Guaira
7 Samuel Sosa Universidad Central 3
Kavier Ortiz Metropolitanos
Ronald Rodríguez Monagas
Daniel De Sousa Universidad Central
David Linarez Portuguesa
Lewuis Peña Rayo Zuliano
Edwuin Pernía Academia Puerto Cabello
Edson Tortolero Carabobo

Source: Soccerway[20]

References

  1. ^ a b "La Liga Futve presentó su calendario para la próxima temporada" [The Liga Futve presented its schedule for the upcoming season] (in Spanish). Noticias al Día. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  2. ^ "Trujillanos FC se tituló en la Liga Futve 2" [Trujillanos crowned themselves in the Liga FUTVE 2] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 16 November 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Terminó el ciclo de Jesús Ortiz en Estudiantes de Mérida" [Jesús Ortiz's cycle at Estudiantes de Mérida ended] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Jesús Gómez presentado como nuevo técnico de Estudiantes" [Jesús Gómez presented as new head coach of Estudiantes] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 30 October 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Portuguesa anunció la salida de Giancarlo Maldonado" [Portuguesa announced the exit of Giancarlo Maldonado] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 12 October 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  6. ^ García Regalado, Jesús (22 November 2025). "Leonardo González es el nuevo DT del Portuguesa FC para la Temporada 2026" [Leonardo González is Portuguesa FC's new head coach for the 2026 Season] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  7. ^ Torres, Eudo (23 October 2025). "Anzoátegui FC le dice "gracias" y chao a Leo González" [Anzoátegui FC say "thank you" and goodbye to Leo González] (in Spanish). Radio Fe y Alegría. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  8. ^ Díaz Rodríguez, Luis (6 January 2026). "El larense Adrián Sánchez será el nuevo Director Técnico del Anzoátegui FC" [Lara native Adrián Sánchez will be Anzoátegui FC's new Head Coach] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  9. ^ Herrera, José Tadeo (17 November 2025). "Monagas SC confirmó la salida del DT Kike García y varios jugadores nacionales y extranjeros" [Monagas SC confirmed the exit of head coach Kike García and several national and foreign players] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  10. ^ García Regalado, Jesús (2 December 2025). "Octavio Zambrano es el nuevo DT del Monagas SC para la Temporada 2026" [Octavio Zambrano is Monagas SC's new head coach for the 2026 Season] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Deportivo Táchira anunció la salida de Edgar Pérez Greco" [Deportivo Táchira announced the exit of Edgar Pérez Greco] (in Spanish). DSports. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  12. ^ Kleberg, Iván (19 November 2025). "Alvaro Recoba es nuevo DT del Deportivo Táchira" [Alvaro Recoba is Deportivo Táchira's new head coach] (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  13. ^ a b García Regalado, Jesús (17 December 2025). "Bombazo en el Zamora: Se va José María Morr y regresa Noel Sanvicente a Barinas" [Big news at Zamora: José María Morr leaves and Noel Sanvicente returns to Barinas] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  14. ^ García Regalado, Jesús (20 January 2026). "Juan Domingo Tolisano deja al Deportivo La Guaira y es el nuevo DT de la Vinotinto Sub-20" [Juan Domingo Tolisano leaves Deportivo La Guaira and becomes the new manager of the U20 Red Wine] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Héctor Pablo Bidoglio dirigirá al Deportivo La Guaira" [Héctor Pablo Bidoglio will manage Deportivo La Guaira] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Oswaldo Chaurant dejó de ser el técnico de Trujillanos" [Oswaldo Chaurant ceased to be the manager of Trujillanos] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 10 March 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  17. ^ García Hernández, Jesús (12 March 2026). "Pedro Vera regresa a Trujillanos FC como su director técnico para la Temporada 2026" [Pedro Vera returns to Trujillanos FC as their head coach for the 2026 Season] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  18. ^ García Hernández, Jesús (11 March 2026). "Sacudida en el Anzoátegui FC: Adrián Sánchez deja de ser el Director Técnico" [Shake-up at Anzoátegui FC: Adrián Sánchez ceases to be the Head Coach] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  19. ^ Herrera, José Tadeo (12 March 2026). "Giancarlo Maldonado es el nuevo DT de Anzoátegui FC y Ángel Sánchez será el Gerente" [Giancarlo Maldonado is the new head coach of Anzoátegui FC and Ángel Sánchez will be the Sporting Director] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  20. ^ "Liga FUTVE standings, Venezuela". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
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