1952–53 Tercera División

The 1952–53 Tercera División season was the 17th since its establishment.

Format
99 clubs participated in 6 geographic groups. One club, Tomelloso CF, withdrew at the start of the season. The 6 group winners were promoted to the Segunda División. The 6 runners-up joined the teams in 12th and 13th place in Segunda División Grupo I and the team in 13th place in Segunda División Grupo II to form one play-off group of 5 teams (Grupo I) and another of 4 teams (Grupo II). The winner and runner up of Grupo I earned a place in the Segunda División as did the winner of Grupo II. The 12th team in Segunda División Grupo II played off against Tenerife, champions of the Canarias Regional League (not part of the Tercera División).

Group I
Note: Gimnástica de Torrelavega retained their place in the Segunda División and Cultural Leonesa were promoted. UD Salamanca were later reprieved from relegation following the withdrawal of CD San Andrés from the Segunda División.

Group II
Note: España de Tánger were promoted to the Segunda División.

Group III
Note: CD Tenerife were promoted to the Segunda División.

Season records

 * Most wins: 23, Eibar and Escoriaza.
 * Most draws: 10, Arenas de Getxo and Alicante.
 * Most losses: 31, Tàrrega.
 * Most goals for: 106, Escoriaza.
 * Most goals against: 117, Tàrrega.
 * Most points: 52, Eibar.
 * Fewest wins: 2, Tàrrega and Atlético Malagueño.
 * Fewest draws: 1, Tàrrega, Iliturgi, San Fernando and Úbeda.
 * Fewest losses: 4, Badajoz.
 * Fewest goals for: 24, Conquense.
 * Fewest goals against: 27, La Felguera.
 * Fewest points: 3, Tàrrega.