Liga MX Returns This Weekend: Everything You Need to Know Before Jornada 1 of the Clausura 2026
- Vanessa Angel
- 11 hours ago
- 5 min read
Toluca Reign Supreme in 2025
It has been just under a month since Liga MX wrapped up the Apertura 2025 tournament, and Toluca once again stood at the top of Mexican football. The now back-to-back champions faced Tigres in a final so intense it stretched through extra time and into a dramatic penalty marathon.
With titles in both the Clausura and Apertura of 2025 — plus the Campeón de Campeones crown after defeating Club América — Toluca have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in Liga MX.
It had been 15 years since the club last lifted a league trophy. Now, with two championships in the same calendar year, Toluca are tied with Chivas for the second-most league titles in history with 12, trailing only Club América’s 16.
There is constant debate over which clubs belong among Liga MX’s traditional “four giants”: Chivas, Club América, Pumas, and Cruz Azul. Toluca are making a strong case for inclusion, at least in terms of trophies. While Monterrey and Tigres may rival them in off-field stature, Toluca seem content forging their own identity — one built on a fiercely loyal fan base and a home atmosphere at the Estadio Nemesio Diez that few visiting teams relish.
A New Team Enters Liga MX
In early December, Liga MX owners held an assembly to address the league’s future. During that meeting, news emerged that Mazatlán FC had begun the process of transferring its franchise certificate to Atlante FC — a move that could reshape the top division.
Mazatlán were formed in 2020 after the relocation and rebranding of Monarcas Morelia, a controversial decision at the time that followed lobbying by local officials and investors in Sinaloa. Since then, on-field struggles and financial instability have plagued the club. Mazatlán finished 16th of 18 teams in the Apertura 2025–26 season, and ownership has reportedly explored selling after a potential investment deal collapsed.
TV Azteca (Grupo Salinas), which owns Mazatlán, is said to have reached an agreement with Atlante owner Emilio Escalante — clearing a path for Atlante’s return to Liga MX in the summer of 2026, possibly beginning with the Apertura tournament.
The move has reignited criticism from fans who feel Liga MX allows clubs to “buy” their way into the top division, especially in the absence of promotion and relegation.
Atlante were relegated in 2014 and have spent the last decade in the Liga de Expansión. However, their performances have been strong: titles in Apertura 2021, Apertura 2022, and Clausura 2024 make them one of the most successful clubs outside the top flight.
Initially, reports suggested Atlante would share the soon-to-reopen Estadio Azteca (now Estadio Banorte) with Club América, alongside Pumas and Cruz Azul. More recent reports, however, indicate that talks are underway between Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha, Liga MX president Mikel Arriola, and Escalante about potentially making Mazatlán Atlante’s new home.
The Return of Promotion and Relegation?
Liga MX is set to reinstate promotion and relegation for the 2026–27 season after the Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared the way earlier this year.
The system had been suspended since the 2019–20 season, initially due to COVID-19, with a planned six-year pause meant to help clubs stabilize financially. Now, teams in the Liga de Expansión may once again have a pathway to the top division — albeit under strict requirements.
Ten second-division clubs filed the original case in 2024 seeking reinstatement. To be eligible for promotion, teams must meet certification standards that include:
Proof of financial stability
A stadium with at least 30,000 capacity
An external business evaluation and improvement fund
It remains unclear whether these criteria will remain unchanged. League officials are also continuing discussions about expanding Liga MX from 18 to 20 teams.
World Cup Hosting Brings Format Changes
With Mexico co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Liga MX has adjusted the Clausura 2026 format to reduce strain on international players.
Key changes include:
No national-team players in the Liguilla: Players called up for the World Cup will not participate in the playoffs.
Final scheduled just 18 days before the World Cup begins
Elimination of the play-in round: Only the top eight teams in the standings will qualify directly for the quarterfinals.
These changes could significantly raise the stakes of the regular season. With just 18 matchweeks and no safety net for teams finishing ninth or tenth, every match carries greater importance — and the margin for error is smaller than ever.
Clausura 2026 Playoff Dates
Quarterfinals
First Leg: May 2–3
Second Leg: May 9–10
Semifinals
First Leg: May 13–14
Second Leg: May 16–17
Final
First Leg: May 21
Second Leg: May 24
New Foreign Player Rules
Following December’s owners meeting, Liga MX announced changes to foreign-player limits. Teams may now register and field up to nine foreign players, an increase from the previous cap of seven on the field.
For most clubs, the change offers tactical flexibility. For Chivas, however, it changes little — the club famously fields only Mexican-eligible players and will continue relying heavily on its academy, especially during World Cup absences.
Jornada 1 Matchups
Friday, January 9
Mazatlán vs. Juárez — 8:00 PM
Atlas vs. Puebla — 10:00 PM
Tijuana vs. Club América — 10:00 PM
Saturday, January 10
Chivas vs. Pachuca — 6:07 PM
León vs. Cruz Azul — 8:00 PM
Santos vs. Necaxa — 8:00 PM
Monterrey vs. Toluca — 10:00 PM
Sunday, January 11
Pumas vs. Querétaro — 1:00 PM
San Luis vs. Tigres — 8:00 PM
Matches to Watch
Friday’s spotlight falls on Tijuana vs. Club América. Tijuana showed real momentum last season, led by young standout Gilberto Mora. This year, they add a familiar name for Atlanta fans: Josef Martínez, who is set to debut for the Xolos and could feature as soon as this opener.
For Club América, the season begins with a redemption arc. After failing to match their historic three-title run, expectations remain sky-high — and patience will be thin.
Saturday offers three intriguing clashes:
Chivas vs. Pachuca — A new-look Chivas squad faces a familiar foe, with former defender Alan Mozo now lining up for Pachuca.
Santos vs. Necaxa — Both sides have retooled aggressively, with Necaxa bringing in a new manager and reinforcements including Agustín Almendra, Kevin Gutiérrez, and Lorenzo Faravelli.
Monterrey vs. Toluca — The heavyweight showdown of Jornada 1. These two battled fiercely in last year’s playoffs, and this match will offer an early test of whether Toluca remain the league’s benchmark.
On Sunday, Tigres vs. San Luis closes the weekend. Tigres continue chasing the legacy of a true Liga MX giant, but history suggests they cannot afford complacency — San Luis have a habit of springing surprises against the league’s biggest names.
Final Whistle
A new year brings a new season — and with it, fresh storylines across Liga MX. From Toluca’s pursuit of continued dominance to structural changes reshaping the league’s future, Clausura 2026 promises intensity from the opening kickoff.
Here’s to an exciting weekend of fútbol.
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