Liga MX ends promotion and relegation from 2026‑27 season
The Liga MX confirmed, through Article 35 of its newly published competition regulations, that starting with the 2026‑27 Apertura no club will be relegated to the Liga de Expansión MX and no second‑division side will be eligible for promotion. The change, approved by the league’s executive committee and the Mexican Football Federation, removes the traditional sporting‑merit pathway and also eliminates the financial penalties previously applied to the lowest‑ranked teams.
The move aligns the league with the franchise‑based model used in major U.S. sports, aiming to give investors certainty and protect franchise values. It continues the suspension of promotion/relegation that began during the COVID‑19 pandemic, which was justified at the time by the need for financial stability. Critics argue that the decision could weaken competitive pressure, while supporters say it safeguards clubs from fiscal distress.
The policy will take effect when the Apertura 2026 kicks off on 16 July, coinciding with the league’s season‑opening schedule.