Liga MX
Liga MX: North America’s Premier Football League
Introduction
Liga MX, officially known as Liga BBVA MX for sponsorship reasons, stands as Mexico’s top professional football league and a cornerstone of North American football. Renowned for its competitive intensity, passionate fanbase, and significant regional influence, Liga MX ranks first in CONCACAF’s league ranking index. With an average attendance of 25,557 during the 2014–15 season, it draws the largest crowds of any football league in the Americas and the third largest of any professional sports league in North America, trailing only the NFL and MLB. This article explores Liga MX’s structure, its 2024-25 season, its historical significance, and its role within the North American football landscape.
Liga MX Overview
Liga MX, formerly known as Liga Mayor (1943–1949) and Primera División de México (1949–2012), is the highest tier of the Mexican football league system. The league operates with 18 clubs and follows a unique format of two short tournaments per season:
- Apertura: Runs from July to December.
- Clausura: Runs from January to May.
Each tournament concludes with a playoff phase called the Liguilla, where the top teams compete for the championship title. Since 2020, promotion and relegation have been suspended, a policy set to continue until 2026. According to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), Liga MX was ranked the 10th strongest league globally in the first decade of the 21st century.
Key Features
- Attendance: Liga MX is the fourth most attended football league worldwide, behind Germany’s Bundesliga, England’s Premier League, and Spain’s La Liga.
- Viewership: It ranks second in television viewership in the United States, behind only the English Premier League.
- Historical Success: Club América holds the record with 16 titles, followed by Guadalajara with 12. In total, 24 teams have won the top division title at least once.
2024-25 Liga MX Season
The 2024-25 season, the 78th professional season of Liga MX, is divided into the Apertura 2024 and Clausura 2025 tournaments, each contested by the same 18 teams. The season has seen notable changes, including venue adjustments due to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For instance, América moved to Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes for Apertura 2024, and Cruz Azul shifted to Estadio Olímpico Universitario for Clausura 2025 due to renovations at Estadio Azteca.
Torneo Apertura 2024 Standings
The Apertura 2024, which began on July 5, 2024, and concluded in December 2024, featured a competitive regular season. The standings, based on the regular phase, are as follows:
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cruz Azul | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 39 | 12 | +27 | 42 | Quarter-finals |
| 2 | Toluca | 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 38 | 16 | +22 | 35 | |
| 3 | UANL | 17 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 25 | 15 | +10 | 34 | |
| 4 | UNAM | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 13 | +8 | 31 | |
| 5 | Monterrey | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 19 | +7 | 31 | |
| 6 | Atlético San Luis | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 19 | +8 | 30 | |
| 7 | Tijuana | 17 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 24 | 25 | -1 | 29 | Play-in round |
| 8 | América (C) | 17 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 27 | 21 | +6 | 27 | |
| 9 | Guadalajara | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 24 | 15 | +9 | 25 | |
| 10 | Atlas | 17 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 17 | 23 | -6 | 22 | |
| 11 | León | 17 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 21 | 23 | -2 | 18 | |
| 12 | Juárez | 17 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 22 | 36 | -14 | 17 | |
| 13 | Necaxa | 17 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 20 | 26 | -6 | 15 | |
| 14 | Mazatlán | 17 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 19 | -9 | 14 | |
| 15 | Puebla | 17 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 17 | 31 | -14 | 14 | |
| 16 | Pachuca | 17 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 20 | 29 | -9 | 13 | |
| 17 | Querétaro | 17 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 13 | 31 | -18 | 12 | |
| 18 | Santos Laguna | 17 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 30 | -18 | 10 |
- Notes:
- (C) indicates América won the Apertura 2024 finals.
- Classification rules: 1) Points, 2) Goal difference, 3) Goals scored, 4) Head-to-head results, 5) Away goals, 6) Relegation coefficient, 7) Fair Play points.
- The top six teams qualified for the Liguilla quarter-finals, while teams ranked 7th to 10th entered the play-in round.
Torneo Clausura 2025
The Clausura 2025 began on January 10, 2025, and is currently ongoing. As of May 6, 2025, complete standings are not available, but fans can follow updates on the official Liga MX website. The tournament follows the same format as the Apertura, with 17 regular-season matches per team, followed by the Liguilla playoffs.
Notable Developments
- Venue Changes: Due to renovations at Estadio Azteca for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, América and Cruz Azul have relocated to temporary venues for the 2024-25 season.
- Playoff Contenders: Cruz Azul, Toluca, and América were among the favorites for the Apertura title, with América securing the championship. Similar teams are expected to compete strongly in Clausura 2025.
- Coaching Changes: Chivas sacked head coach Gerardo Espinoza after failing to reach the Clausura 2025 playoffs, signaling potential shifts in team dynamics.
Liga MX in the North American Context
Liga MX is a powerhouse in North American football, distinguished by its competitive quality and regional influence. It ranks first in CONCACAF’s league ranking index, ahead of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the U.S. and Canada. Mexican clubs frequently dominate the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a regional tournament featuring top teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean. For example, Tigres and Cruz Azul reached the semi-finals of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, highlighting Liga MX’s strength.
Comparison with Other North American Leagues
- Major League Soccer (MLS): While MLS has grown in popularity, Liga MX surpasses it in average attendance and CONCACAF rankings. The two leagues previously competed in the North American SuperLiga (2007–2011), a tournament that showcased their rivalry.
- Attendance and Viewership: Liga MX’s average attendance of 25,557 (2014–15 season) makes it the leading football league in the Americas. Its strong U.S. viewership reflects the large Mexican-American audience and the league’s broadcast on networks like Univision and Telemundo.
- Youth Development: Liga MX teams like América and Guadalajara participate in youth tournaments such as the Club América Cup, fostering talent across North, Central, and South America.
Historical North American Competitions
The North American SuperLiga (2007–2011) was a notable competition involving Liga MX and MLS teams, sanctioned by CONCACAF. Although discontinued, it underscored the competitive dynamic between Mexican and U.S./Canadian clubs. Today, the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Leagues Cup (which paused Liga MX in July 2024) continue to facilitate cross-league matchups.
Key Teams and Rivalries
Liga MX is home to some of North America’s most storied clubs:
- Club América: With 16 titles, América is the most successful team in Liga MX history. Known as “Las Águilas,” they rely on prominent international signings.
- Guadalajara (Chivas): With 12 titles, Chivas is renowned for fielding only Mexican players, fostering national pride.
- Cruz Azul and Toluca: Both clubs are consistent contenders, with Cruz Azul leading the Apertura 2024 standings.
- Rivalries: The Clásico Nacional (América vs. Guadalajara) and Clásico Regio (Monterrey vs. UANL) are among the most intense rivalries in North American football.
Broadcasting and Accessibility in North America
Liga MX enjoys widespread coverage in the U.S. and Canada, making it accessible to North American fans. Key broadcast details include:
- U.S. Networks: Matches are aired on Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes, ESPN, Telemundo, Universo, Univision, UniMás, and TUDN, depending on the teams’ home games.
- Streaming: Platforms like Fubo offer Liga MX coverage, though not all matches are available due to varied broadcast rights. Fans can check World Soccer Talk for detailed schedules.
- Live Updates: Websites like Liga MX and ESPN provide real-time standings, scores, and fixtures.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Liga MX faces several challenges as it navigates its role in North American football:
- Promotion/Relegation Suspension: The suspension until 2026 has sparked debate about competitive balance and opportunities for lower-tier clubs.
- World Cup Preparations: Venue changes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have disrupted some teams’ home schedules, potentially affecting performance.
- Regional Competition: As MLS continues to grow, Liga MX must maintain its competitive edge in CONCACAF tournaments and attract top talent.
Looking ahead, Liga MX is poised to remain a dominant force in North American football, with its strong fanbase, competitive structure, and regional influence. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, will further elevate the league’s global profile.
Conclusion
Liga MX is more than Mexico’s premier football league; it is a vital component of North American sports culture. Its high attendance, competitive quality, and success in regional competitions like the CONCACAF Champions Cup solidify its status as a leading league in the region. The 2024-25 season, with Cruz Azul’s dominance in Apertura 2024 and América’s championship victory, exemplifies the league’s excitement and unpredictability. As the Clausura 2025 unfolds, fans across North America can follow the action through various broadcast and streaming platforms, celebrating the passion and talent that define Liga MX.
