Prima Divisione (''First Division'') was the name of the first level of the

Italian Football Championship Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional ...

from 1921 to 1926. The competition was initially founded in opposition to the FIGC by the richest clubs of Northern Italy, which disagreed the old format of the championship, based on plethoric regional groups. In 1921–22, two concurrent championships took place, before FIGC accepted the new format for 1922–23.

History

The Prima Divisione was divided in two leagues: Lega Nord ''(Northern League)'' and Lega Sud ''(Southern League)''. The Lega Nord championship was the main competition, and it was divided in two groups of twelve teams each. The winners of the two groups qualified for the final ''(Northern League Final)'' while the last teams were relegated in Seconda Divisione ''(Second Division)''. The Lega Sud championship was still divided in many regional groups; the best two teams of

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and

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and the winners of the

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and

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s groups qualified for the semifinals ''(Southern League Semifinals)'' of two groups. The winners of the semifinals advanced to the final. The winners of the two leagues qualified for the Finalissima (literally ''The Biggest Final''). The team that won the national final won the scudetto, firstly introduced for the 1923-24 champions

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.''La Gazzetta dello Sport '' digital archive Because of the fascist ''Viareggio Charter'', in 1926 the Prima Divisione championship was renamed as Divisione Nazionale ''(National Division)'', merging the best southern clubs into the Northern League. The second level of the Italian football consequently took the name of Prima Divisional, as it happened in England in 1992. In 1929 with the creation of the

Serie A The Serie A (), also called Serie A TIM for national sponsorship with TIM, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and the winner is awarded the Scudetto and the Cop ...

and

Serie B The Serie B (), currently named Serie BKT for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It has been operating for over ninety years since the 1929–30 season. It had been ...

championships the Prima Divisione became the third level of the Italian Football. In 1935 with the creation of the

Serie C The Serie C () is the third-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie B and Serie A. The Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico (Lega Pro) is the governing body that runs the Serie C. The unification of the Lega P ...

championship the Prima Divisione became the fourth level of the Italian football. In 1948 with the creation of the Promozione championship the first division became the fifth level of the Italian championship. In 1952 with the creation of the

IV Serie The Serie D () is the top level of semi-professional football in the country. The fourth tier of the Italian league system, the competition sits beneath the third professional league, Serie C. It is administered by the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti ...

championship the Prima Divisione became the sixth level. In 1959 the Prima Divisione championship was replaced by local

Prima Categoria The Prima Categoria is a level of football in Italy. It is the seventh level (since 2014–15) in the Italian football league system and is organized by the National Amateur League by the Regional Committees. Each individual league winner with ...

Seconda Categoria The Seconda Categoria is a level of football in Italy. It is the 8th level (since 2014-15) in the Italian football league system. Each individual league winner within the Seconda Categoria level progresses to their closest regional league in t ...

History

Winners

Winners (Lega Nord)

Winners (Lega Sud)

Northern League

Founding members

FIGC joining clubs

Promoted clubs

Notes

See also