The Primera División resumes its schedule on the third weekend of April as attention turns toward the second phase of the Copa Chile. The league calendar is poised to pivot to a new chapter, with teams preparing for intensified action while national cup fixtures begin to intrude on the usual rhythm of the season. This pause marks a deliberate shift in emphasis from steady league play to a broader competitive slate that includes cup commitments and friendly preparation matches in the interim.
Following the ninth round of the 2023 National Championship, the First Division will enter a short recess, stretching to nearly a full month before competitive games resume. This interruption aligns with FIFA’s March window, during which Chile squares off with its Paraguayan counterpart as part of preparation for the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, slated to begin in September. The pause therefore serves dual purposes: safeguarding national team preparations while allowing clubs to recalibrate ahead of a demanding stretch of league and cup fixtures.
In the meantime, the second stage of the Chile Cup remains a focal point, though its official scheduling has yet to be published by the ANFP. The domestic program will return over the third weekend of April to mark the tenth round in the league’s timetable. Clubs often use this break to stage friendlies, fine-tuning tactics and fitness for the upcoming matches. One notable example is Universidad Católica, which announced a preparatory clash against Deportes La Serena for the following Thursday in La Portada. Católica’s recent form has been mixed with a near miss in a victory over Magallanes, yet they still sit among the leaders alongside Huachipato, both on 18 points and pressing for top honors as the season unfolds. La Serena itself sits at the summit of Primera B with 13 points, having edged Cobreloa in a tight encounter, highlighting the depth and competition across Chile’s top two divisions. A different break in the calendar is anticipated for September to accommodate the Pan American Games Santiago 2023, underscoring how international events shape domestic scheduling.
As the schedule resumes, fans should note that the return match will feature the Modern Classic between Colo Colo and Universidad Católica, set to take place at Santa Laura. The rivalry adds extra flavor to the league’s calendar, symbolizing a long-standing battle for regional supremacy and pride among Chile’s most storied clubs. The anticipation around this fixture underscores how derbies and traditional showdowns can influence team momentum and fan engagement as the season progresses.
Here is the plan for the tenth round, with kickoff times to be confirmed as the fixtures are finalized:
- Everton versus Magallanes at Sausalito Stadium
- Palestino versus Cobresal at La Cisterna Stadium
- Coquimbo Unido versus Ñublense at Francisco Sánchez Rumrill Stadium
- Unión La Calera against O’Higgins at Nicolás Chahuan Stadium
- Curicó Unido versus Unión Española at La Granja Stadium
- Universidad Católica against Colo Colo at Santa Laura stadium
- Audax Italiano versus Universidad de Chile at Florida Bicentennial Stadium
- Sport Copiapó versus Huachipato at Luis Valenzuela Hermosilla Stadium
These matches will shape the early phase of the post-break period, offering teams a chance to demonstrate coaching continuity, squad resilience, and tactical flexibility. The league remains highly competitive as clubs balance the demands of domestic league action with responsibilities in the Chile Cup, while national team duties and international qualifiers loom on the horizon. Supporters across Canada and the United States who follow Chilean football will find the resumed schedule brings renewed opportunities to watch closely contested matches and rising talents in both the Primera División and the Primera B as the season advances.
Note that updates to match times and broadcast details will be communicated through official channels as soon as they are available, ensuring fans in North America can plan their viewing and follow the drama as it unfolds across the country and beyond.