The possibility of Málaga CF achieving survival in the top tier of Spanish football is supported by statistics. Since the 10/11 season, when the promotion play-off system was introduced in the Second Division, a notable 72.9% of newly promoted teams have managed to stay in the category. This data, compiled by BeSoccer, suggests an encouraging trend for clubs ascending to the elite.
Over the last 16 seasons, 35 out of 48 promoted teams have secured their place, representing more than seven out of ten. This percentage has increased from 62.9% recorded before the Second Division reform. Furthermore, 55.6% of these teams manage to stay in La Liga for a second year after promotion, a particularly relevant statistic for fans of Málaga CF, Racing de Santander, and Deportivo A Coruña, who face their return this season.
Historically, Málaga CF has not been relegated in its first season in La Liga under its current name. Unlike other clubs such as Deportivo, which has experienced relegations in its debut season, or Racing, which has only suffered it once, the blue and white team has shown consolidation capacity. After its promotion in 1999, it remained in the top flight for seven seasons, and after a relegation in the 17/18 season, it achieved its third promotion to the pinnacle of Spanish football last June.
In 31.3% of the analyzed seasons, all three newly promoted teams have managed to stay up together. The last instance occurred in the 21/22 season, with the promotion and subsequent survival of Espanyol, Mallorca, and Rayo Vallecano. However, achieving a clean sweep of promotions is a considerable challenge, especially in a league that raises its competitive level year after year. Only one generation, that of Real Betis, Rayo, and Granada in the 11/12 season, managed to keep all three promoted teams in the top flight for two consecutive years.
