# Football in Panama

Football in Panama is run by the Federación Panameña de Fútbol. The association administers the national football team, as well as the LPF. Football is the most popular sport in Panama. Panama qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

## Domestic football

In 1988 professional football was established in Panama. Gary Stempel is considered an influential figure in improving Panama football.
In 2017, a separate women's league, the Liga de Fútbol Femenino, was established, with the aim to improve women's football in the country.

## League system

| Level | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) | League(s)/Division(s) |
| 1 | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs | Liga Panameña de Fútbol 12 clubs |
| 2 | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs | Liga Nacional de Ascenso 20 clubs |
| 3 | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs | Copa Rommel Fernández 19 clubs divided in 3 series, one of 8 clubs, one of 6 clubs and one of 5 clubs |
| 4 | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues | Panamanian Regional Leagues 10 leagues |

## National team

In the 2010s, the Panama men's national team experienced its greatest success, finishing as runners-up in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Panama women's national team reached the qualifying play-offs for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in 2019, although their dream was cut short after losing to Argentina. Panama would then repeat the feat by reaching the play-offs for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, again with the aim to qualify for their first Women's World Cup. They successfully achieved World Cup qualification for the first time following a win against Paraguay.

## Stadiums in Panama

The Estadio Rommel Fernández, the national football stadium of Panama, is the largest stadium in the country.
| Stadium | Main use | Capacity | Tenants | Image |
| Estadio Rommel Fernández | Association football | 32,000 | Panama national football team, Tauro FC | |
| Estadio Nacional de Panamá | Baseball | 27,000 | Panama national baseball team | |

## Attendances

The average attendances of Panamese top-flight football league clubs in the 2024 Clausura:
| # | Football club | Home games | Average attendance |
| 1 | Tauro FC | 8 | 1,447 |
| 2 | CD Plaza Amador | 8 | 615 |
| 3 | Independiente de La Chorrera | 8 | 595 |
| 4 | San Francisco FC | 8 | 589 |
| 5 | Sporting San Miguelito | 8 | 532 |
| 6 | CD Universitario | 8 | 443 |
| 7 | UMECIT FC | 8 | 403 |
| 8 | CD Árabe Unido | 8 | 345 |
| 9 | ACSD Alianza FC | 8 | 288 |
| 10 | CD del Este | 8 | 234 |
| 11 | Veraguas United FC | 8 | 186 |
| 12 | Herrera FC | 8 | 159 |