Overview of the 2022-2023 Primera RFEF Season Plan
The opening phase of the Primera RFEF for the 2022-2023 campaign has laid out a clear strategic map. Clubs Alcoyano, Intercity, La Nucía, and Eldense know they will start in Group 2, which means they will face smaller budgets than their counterparts in Castile, where teams such as Alcorcón, Deportivo de La Coruña, Córdoba, Fuenlabrada, and Real Madrid Castilla compete. From Alicante’s perspective, four local sides will square off against squads from Catalonia, the Basque Country, Navarre, and La Rioja. If the draw places them into a trio of teams from other regions, they will again meet those same areas. The geographic split emerged from a slim majority favoring a north-south division, paired with a diagonal orientation strategy that remains a topic of discussion among organizers and clubs alike. [Source: RFEF]
Five clubs from the community, together with Castellón, are aiming to ascend to professional football in the next season. This ambition is shared across all participants, even as they confront substantial barriers, especially for teams stepping up to the third tier for the first time. [Source: RFEF]
The local football community in Alicante will watch as Nástic and Sabadell, traditional rivals in the second division, are joined by potential matches in Cornellà and Barcelona B. Travel will be extensive as teams head to the Basque Country to face affiliates of Athletic Club and Real Sociedad, with Amorebieta and Real Unión de Irún on the schedule as well. Trips to La Rioja will include encounters with UD Logroñés and SD Logroñés in Logroño, and a separate journey to Calahorra. Navarra will host a game against Osasuna’s reserves, while Castilla y León offers the familiar clash with Numancia de Soria. The only non-peninsula voyage will be to Palma, where Atlético Baleares awaits. [Source: RFEF]
In this Group, the lineup features Alcorcón, Ceuta, Mérida, Algeciras, Badajoz, Fuenlabrada, Córdoba, Rayo Majadahonda, Cultural Leonesa, Dux Internacional de Madrid, Linares Deportivo, Pontevedra, Racing de Ferrol, Real Madrid Castilla, Linense, Celta de Vigo B, San Fernando, Sanse, and the Unionists. [Source: RFEF]
The league is scheduled to begin on 28 August and will follow a double-match format through 25 June 2023, when the promotion play-offs conclude. Winners of each group secure direct advancement to the higher tier. [Source: RFEF]
Early Group Configurations Under Consideration
Clubs across the region are evaluating four potential group configurations as they prepare for the season. The discussions center on balancing travel distances, regional rivalries, and the financial realities facing teams in the third tier. The aim is to create a schedule that sustains competitive balance while minimizing burdens on smaller clubs. These deliberations reflect a broader commitment to ensuring that the competition remains accessible to clubs with varying budgets while preserving the integrity and drama of the league. [Source: RFEF]
As the season progresses, Alicante residents can prepare for a schedule that includes North-to-South travel, with several notable journeys likely across Catalonia, the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Navarra. The mix of regional derbies and cross-country trips promises a demanding calendar for players and fans alike. [Source: RFEF]
Group participants include Alcorcón, Ceuta, Mérida, Algeciras, Badajoz, Fuenlabrada, Córdoba, Rayo Majadahonda, Cultural Leonesa, Dux Internacional de Madrid, Linares Deportivo, Pontevedra, Racing de Ferrol, Real Madrid Castilla, Linense, Celta de Vigo B, San Fernando, Sanse, and the Unionists. [Source: RFEF]
The competition will commence on 28 August and proceed with a home-and-away format until 25 June 2023, when promotion play-offs determine the final promotions. Group winners earn direct promotion. [Source: RFEF]
Notes on Conference Structure
The focus remains on reinforcing competitive balance, minimizing travel burdens, and preserving regional interest. The configurations being studied emphasize a practical approach that recognizes the financial realities of many participating clubs while maintaining a robust pathway to professional football for ambitious teams in the Primera RFEF. [Source: RFEF]