The –PrimeraDivisió2019–20 Primera División de El Salvador (also known as the Liga Pepsi) is the 21st season and 41st and 42nd Primera División tournament, El Salvador's top football division, since its establishment of an Apertura and Clausura format. Santa Tecla and TBD are the defending champions of both Apertura and Clausura tournaments respectively. The league will consist of 12 teams. There will be two seasons conducted under identical rules, with each team playing a home and away game against the other clubs for a total of 22 games per tournament. At the end of each half-season tournament, the top six teams in that tournament's regular season standings will take part in the playoffs.
The champions of Apertura or Clausura with the better aggregate record will qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. The other champion, and the runner-up with the better aggregate record will qualify for the 2020 CONCACAF League. Should the same team win both tournaments, both runners-up will qualify for CONCACAF League. Should the final of both tournaments features the same 2 teams, the semifinalist with the better aggregate record will qualify for CONCACAF League.
Team information
A total of 12 teams will contest the league, including 11 sides from the 2017–18 Primera División and 1 promoted from the 2018–19 Segunda División.
Firpo were relegated to 2019–20 Segunda División the previous season.
The relegated team was replaced by the 2018–19 Segunda División playoffs promotion winner. El Vencedor won the Apertura 2018, while San Pablo won the Clausura 2019 title, El Vencedor won the playoff match 6-5 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Promotion and relegation
Promoted from Segunda División de Fútbol Salvadoreño as of June, 2019.
Champions: El Vencedor
Relegated to Segunda División de Fútbol Salvadoreño as of June, 2019.
Last Place: Firpo
Personnel and sponsoring
Managerial changes
Before the start of the season
During the Apertura season
Between Apertura and Clausura seasons
During the Clausura season
Notable events
Change to Playoff
The league voted to change top qualify to the next round to the top six, with first and second spot qualifying directly to the semi-finals, while teams from 3 to 6 have to playoff
Audaz giving their spot
On 28 of June, 2019 the only remaining member of the Audaz had taken the license from the previous board , he then gave charge to Independiente F.C.
Pasaquina their spot
On 3 of July, 2019 Pasaquina failed to meet the requirements that FESFUT had placed for clubs to be allowed to play in the Primera division, the club failed to pay off any outstanding debts. The club will be forced to sell their spot in Primera division.
New club registered in the Primera Division
On the 12th of July, 2019 a group of investors raised the capital and necessary funds to purchase the spot of Pasaquina, the club will be located the Ahuachapan department and will called Once Deportivo de Ahuachapan.
Clubs moving stadium
Several clubs announced that due to their home stadium not meeting new CONCACAF standards, minimal crowd numbers or/and their previous stadium not finishing their renovations in time. Jocoro will be playing at Jose Ramon Flores Berrios which is located at the La Union. FAS will be playing at the Estadio Cuscatlan which is located at San Salvador. El Vencedor will be playing at the Estadio Sergio Torres Rivera which is located at Usulutan. Independiente announced that while their home stadium is going through renovations they would be playing at the Estadio Sergio Torres Rivera which is located at Usulutan.
Effects of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
Since March, the season has been affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. On 13 March, following an emergency meeting between the Primera division, FESFUt, Segunda and Tecera division, it was unanimously decided to suspend professional football in El Salvador until at least 18 April 2020.
Season suspended, new champion and relegation
In a historic meeting FESFUT declared to the public that the rest of Clausura 2020 season will be cancelled. Once Deportivo will be crowned champion due to leading the competition prior the suspension of the season, Along with Alianza (Apertura 2019 champion) and FAS (Apertura 2019 runner up) qualified for CONCACAF Competition. Jocoro who were bottom of the aggregate table prior to the suspension of the season will be forced to play promotion/relegation playoff against Platense.