Beyond the five teams earning direct promotion to the First RFEF, another five clubs enter the playoff phase starting May 21. The season in the Second RFEF is wrapping up, and the lineup for the next campaign will soon be set. There are two routes to reach the First RFEF. The first path is direct promotion, reserved for the group leaders. This season those teams are Arenteiro, Sestao River, Teruel, Antequera, and Melilla. The second path comes through the promotion playoffs, where five additional teams will clinch a spot in the top tier.
Promo playoffs to the First RFEF: teams, fixtures, draw, calendar, venues, schedules and format
As the regular season finishes, the teams finishing between second and fifth in each Second RFEF group enter a playoff race. In recent seasons, the playoff format varied, sometimes featuring a single game at one venue. This year the system has shifted to a two‑stage knockout that heightens the drama and drives fan turnout, with venues chosen to maximize local support. The objective is simple: win two rounds and join the five direct promotion teams in the First RFEF.
The structure pairs the five teams finishing in fifth place with the five teams finishing in second place, while the five teams finishing in fourth place face the five in third. A drawing process will determine the exact order of ties and pairings for the playoff ladder, adding an element of unpredictability that excites supporters nationwide.
In total, five clubs will advance from the promotion playoffs to Primera RFEF. The dates for these decisive matches are fixed for late spring and early summer, with the playoffs scheduled to unfold between May and June. The round-by-round timeline is as follows:
- First leg of the semi-finals: May 21
- Return of the semi-finals: May 28
- First leg of the final: June 4
- Return of the final: June 11
The playoff ties are organized as follows, with the winners earning promotion to Primera RFEF:
- Spanish B versus Atletico Madrid B
- Segovian Gymnastics versus Recreational Huelva
- UCAM Murcia versus Sports Club
- Zamora versus Alaves B
- SD Gernika versus True Aviles
- SD Compostela versus Tarazona
- Utebo versus Recreational Grenada
- Manresa versus Navalcarnero
- Cacereno versus Valencia Mestalla
- Atletico Sanluqueño versus Real Promises of Valladolid
After the first-round winners are known, the second round of eliminations will be determined by a draw to set the pairing order for the next stage. The core aim remains the same: achieve promotion to the First RFEF by overcoming two knockout hurdles in the playoffs, while the five direct promotion winners focus on competing in the higher league. The source for these fixtures and formats is Goal, reflecting the latest structural updates from the league and clubs involved.
Supporters across the country follow these events closely, with local clubs generating momentum and civic pride. The promotion battles in the Second RFEF carry significant implications for budgets, squad development, and regional football narratives as clubs plan for the upcoming season.
Note: All dates are subject to official confirmation by the league and participating clubs, and schedules can adjust due to venue availability or broadcast considerations as the campaign progresses.