When it comes to Mexican professional football, few topics matter more to fans than the Liga MX schedule. Liga MX is the top‑tier football league in Mexico, featuring historic clubs and exciting competition throughout the year. The schedule defines when teams play, how the season is structured, and which matchdays fans need to mark on their calendars. This guide explains the full format, key dates, and how Liga MX organizes its fixtures so you never miss a game.
What Is Liga MX and Its Seasonal Format?
The Liga MX schedule is unique in world football because the league splits its season into two separate tournaments: Apertura and Clausura. Each tournament features 17 matchdays where clubs compete in round‑robin play, followed by playoff rounds known as Liguilla.
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Apertura – The opening tournament typically starts mid‑year (around July) and runs through December.
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Clausura – The closing tournament begins in January or February and continues into May.
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After the regular 17 matchdays in each segment, the top‑ranked teams qualify for playoffs to determine champions.
Because Liga MX crowns separate champions for Apertura and Clausura, the schedule packs nearly year‑round football action for teams and supporters alike.
Apertura and Clausura – How the Schedule Works
Each Liga MX schedule features two main parts:
Apertura Tournament
The Apertura tournament usually begins in July. For example, the 2025 Apertura kicked off with Matchday 1 in mid‑July and continued through late August and beyond. Matchdays take place almost weekly with clubs playing home and away fixtures spread across the calendar.
Typical Apertura fixtures include teams such as Club América, Tigres UANL, Cruz Azul, and Chivas Guadalajara — all with set matchdays that follow a rotational pattern until the conclusion of the regular season.
Once the regular schedule finishes, the top teams enter the Liguilla playoffs to determine the tournament’s champion.
Clausura Tournament
The Clausura typically follows after a short break and starts in early January or February of the following year. Just like the Apertura, it comprises 17 matchdays of regular play across Mexico’s top clubs.
For example, in early 2026, Liga MX fixtures already included key matchups such as Querétaro vs León and Toluca vs Tijuana on specified dates, part of the Clausura schedule.
The Clausura schedule leads to another Liguilla phase, culminating in a second league champion for the season.
How Matchdays Are Organized in the Liga MX Schedule
A typical Liga MX schedule is arranged in weekly matchdays, often with three or four games spread across Fridays to Sundays. Some match days can even extend into Monday evenings, depending on broadcast arrangements and logistics.
Example of Matchday Scheduling
Here’s how part of a 2025 Apertura match schedule looked:
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Matchday 1 – Puebla vs Atlas, Juarez vs Club América, Tijuana vs Queretaro (July)
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Matchday 2 – Necaxa vs Queretaro, Atlas vs Cruz Azul, UNAM Pumas vs Pachuca
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Matchday 3 – Puebla vs Santos Laguna, Queretaro vs UNAM Pumas, Club Tijuana vs Juarez
These matchdays highlight how each round of Liga MX fixtures features multiple teams playing simultaneously across different venues nationwide.
Broadcasting and Viewing the Liga MX Schedule
The Liga MX schedule isn’t just about dates and times — matches are also widely broadcast across different networks and platforms. In 2025‑26, a sublicense agreement expanded English‑language broadcasts in the United States, allowing at least 40 regular‑season matches and playoff fixtures to air on networks like CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
This means fans in Mexico, the U.S., and beyond can follow matches through traditional TV coverage, streaming services, and official digital platforms, ensuring broad access to Liga MX games.
Importance of Staying Updated on the Schedule
Keeping up with the Liga MX schedule is essential for fans, bettors, fantasy league players, and anyone following Mexican football. Teams can have shifting match dates due to weather issues, international breaks, playoff qualifications, or broadcast changes. Many online sports websites maintain updated fixture lists with kickoff times and match results.
Key Dates in a Typical Liga MX Season
While specific fixtures can change year by year, the general pattern remains consistent:
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| July – December | Apertura regular season and playoffs |
| January / February – May | Clausura regular season and playoffs |
| May – June | Clausura final and preparations for next Apertura |
This yearly rhythm ensures nearly continuous competition and gives soccer fans something to watch almost every week.
Tips to Track the Liga MX Schedule
Here are some top ways to stay informed:
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Use official league websites and apps for live schedule updates.
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Follow sports news outlets that list matchdays and results.
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Sync fixtures with your calendar using digital schedules.
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Track match results and standings on sports apps for smartphones.
Staying proactive helps ensure you never miss a key Liga MX matchup.
Conclusion:
The Liga MX schedule is both exciting and intense, offering weeks of thrilling football action in Mexico’s top division. With two tournament circuits — Apertura and Clausura — fans get double the drama and double the reasons to cheer. Whether you’re watching your favorite club battle for playoff spots or simply keeping up with matchday dates, understanding the schedule gives you a front‑row seat to all the Liga MX action.