Lega Imperiale
 | |
| Organising body | Federazione Calcistica di Aciria |
|---|---|
| Founded | 20 May 1972 |
| Country | Aciria |
| Confederation | WAFF |
| Number of teams | 20 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Lega Maestro |
| Domestic cup(s) |
|
| Current champions | Trossera Guardia (11th title) (2028-29) |
| Most championships | Chegallari FC (14 titles) |
| Most appearances | Romelinni Fiordano (610) |
| Top goalscorer | Cesare Aulthuce (298) |
Lega Imperiale, officially Lega Imperiale Voielle until 2034 due to the sponsorship of Voielle, is the premier league for football clubs in Aciria, made up of the top 20 clubs in the country. Administrated by the Federazione Calcistica di Aciria, teams are delegated and promoted to and from the Lega Maestro, with the matches played between August and May.
Known as Lega Maestro until 1972, it was renamed the Lega Imperiale in honor of the late Julien II, prompting a reorganization of the football leagues for the following season. As of 2018, the Lega Imperiale games are the most watched event on Acirian TV, with the viewership count of the coronation of Ignazio I being overtaken by the game played between Trossera Guardia and Chegallari FC in the same year. Broadcast to many nations worldwide, the league enjoys most popularity by far in Aciria and Metzetta. Match attendance is also high, resulting in the progressive construction of larger stadiums just to accomodate for more viewers.
History
The Lega Maestro, formed in 1930, was the most popular sports event in Aciria, with its viewership count to date still being remarkably high for second-highest series. The Lega Imperiale was named in honour of the late Emperor Julien, but a potential league above Lega Maestro had already been discussed in the years prior to encourage the development of higher-level play and sales of premium merchandise.
The season following the sudden introduction of the league is remembered as chaotic, with the teams that were pushed up a division resulting in the lowest division being left empty. The teams that were introduced into the lowest division were not chosen on skill, but rather which teams were able to pay the most money for the positions.
Big Three
The fans of the league have referred the teams Chegallari FC, Trossera Guardia and Fussere Legionario as the "Big Three" since the 1990s due to their domination of the league, with more often than not once of these three being the winners of the cup. During the 2000s, the Big Three was briefly replaced by Big Four following the five year victory streak of Soulone Aquila, but the name lost its momentum following the slow decline and eventual delegation of the Aquilas.