In 1997–98 the Honduran Liga Nacional brought a new competition system; the league would be now divided into two tournaments (Apertura and Clausura), having C.D. Motagua won their 6th and 7th title in this new format. The tournament lasted from August 1997 to October 1998 and it consisted of 11 teams for the first time since the 1981–82 season. The final match was played in the evening of 25 October, just a few hours before Hurricane Mitch landed in the coasts of Honduras.
1997–98 teams
Independiente Villela (invited) Marathón Motagua Olimpia Palestino (promoted) Platense Real España Real Maya Universidad Victoria Vida
Apertura
Regular season
Also serves as 1997 Honduran Cup.
Standings
Results
Final round
Hexagonal
Olimpia won 4–2 on aggregate.
Motagua 1–1 Real España on aggregate. Motagua advanced on better Regular season record; Real España advanced as best loser.
Platense 1–1 Universidad on aggregate; Platense advanced on better Regular season record.
Semifinals
Real España won 3–1 on aggregate.
Motagua 2–2 Olimpia on aggregate; Motagua advanced on better Regular season record.
Final
Motagua won 5–1 on aggregate.
Top goalscorers
19 goals
Wilmer Velásquez (Olimpia) 11 goals Juan Manuel Cárcamo (Platense) 7 goals
Denilson Costa (Olimpia) Francisco Ramírez (Motagua) Marlon Hernández (Motagua)
6 goals
Amado Guevara (Motagua) Alex Pineda Chacón (Olimpia)
5 goals
Alexis Duarte (Marathón) Jairo Martínez (Motagua) Edwin Castro (Marathón)
Clausura
Regular season
Standings
Results
Final round
Hexagonal
Olimpia 2–2 Victoria on aggregate; Olimpia advances on better performance in Regular season; Victoria advances as best loser.
Platense 1–1 Marathón on aggregate; Platense advances on better performance in Regular season.
Motagua won 5–2 on aggregate.
Semifinals
Olimpia 2–2 Victoria on aggregate; Olimpia advances on better performance in Regular season.
Motagua won 5–4 on aggregate.
Final
Motagua won 1–0 on aggregate.
Top goalscorers
15 goals
Wilmer Velásquez (Olimpia) Amado Guevara (Motagua)
13 goals
Denilson Costa (Olimpia) 8 goals Juan Manuel Cárcamo (Platense) 7 goals
Marlon Hernández (Olimpia) Francisco Ramírez (Marathón) Rodinei Martins (Olimpia) Toninho (Marathón)
5 goals
Alejandro Naíf (Victoria) Marvin Brown (Vida) Luis Ramírez (Independiente Villela)
2 goals
Carlos Salinas (Motagua) Fabricio Pérez (Marathón)
1 goal
Alexander Díaz (Real España) Enrique Reneau (Marathón)
Relegation table
Squads
Curiosities
On 12 July 1998, the league scheduled a match between Palestino F.C. and Universidad at Estadio Miraflores. The game which started at 14:00 local time, was played at the same time of the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Brazil. The match which ended 2–0 to Palestino, was witnessed by 55 loyal fans, an outstanding record.