Liga MX
Liga MX is the top professional football league in Mexico and one of the strongest leagues in the Americas.
Founded in 1943, it is home to famous clubs such as América, Chivas, Cruz Azul, Pumas UNAM, Tigres, and Monterrey.
History and facts
Liga MX began in 1943 as the professional successor to the old Mexican Primera Fuerza. Today it is widely considered the most competitive league in North and Central America.
Since 1996, the league has been structured in two annual tournaments: Apertura (July–December) and Clausura (January–May).
Liga MX clubs dominate the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with dozens of titles combined.
League system
Liga MX uses a closed league system with no promotion or relegation during the current period.
Historically, relegation was based on a multi-season average.
The league currently features 18 teams.
Table 1. Mexican football structure
| League | Tier |
|---|---|
| Liga MX | 1 |
| Expansión MX | 2 |
| Liga Premier | 3 |
Below this level is Liga TDP with hundreds of semi-professional and amateur clubs.
Stats
Teams with most titles
Table 2. Liga MX champions by titles
| Club | Titles |
|---|---|
| Club América | 14 |
| Guadalajara (Chivas) | 12 |
| Toluca | 10 |
| Cruz Azul | 9 |
| León | 8 |
| Pumas UNAM | 7 |
América and Chivas are the two giants of Mexican football.
Teams with most league participation
Table 3. Clubs with most Liga MX seasons
| Club | Seasons |
|---|---|
| América | 80+ |
| Guadalajara | 80+ |
| Cruz Azul | 60+ |
| Pumas UNAM | 60+ |
| Tigres | 50+ |
América and Chivas have never been relegated since the league began.
Audience
Stadium capacities
Table 4. Major Liga MX stadiums
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| América | Estadio Azteca | 87,523 |
| Tigres | Estadio Universitario | 42,000 |
| Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | 51,000 |
| Chivas | Estadio Akron | 48,071 |
| Pumas UNAM | Estadio Olímpico Universitario | 58,000 |
Players
Famous players in Liga MX
- Hugo Sánchez
- Cuauhtémoc Blanco
- Jared Borgetti
- André-Pierre Gignac
- Cardozo (Toluca legend)
- Claudio López
- Ronaldinho (Querétaro)
Liga MX timeline
1943
The first professional Mexican league season is played.
1996
Apertura and Clausura tournament structure introduced.
2011
Liga MX branding created.
2020
Promotion and relegation are suspended for restructuring.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_MX
https://ligamx.net
https://www.rsssf.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_MX
https://ligamx.net
https://www.rsssf.org
