# Liga MX promotion and relegation debate > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/liga-mx-promotion-and-relegation-debate > Updated: 2026-08-22T00:59:25.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 4. The debate over the reinstatement of the promotion and relegation system in Mexican football has intensified following legal and public challenges. Jorge Álvarez Máynez, a national coordinator for Movimiento Ciudadano, filed a formal petition with Mexico’s National Antitrust Commission to investigate the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). The petition alleges that the indefinite elimination of promotion and relegation constitutes monopolistic practices that create barriers to competition, violate economic rights, and remove sporting merit from the game. A subsequent complaint following the announcement of the ‘Nuevo Modelo Deportivo’ argues that blocking access to the First Division benefits current clubs while limiting opportunities for new investors, teams, players, sponsors, and fans. In response to the ongoing discussion, Club América owner Emilio Azcárraga Jean expressed support for returning to the system to improve sporting competitiveness. While acknowledging economic challenges regarding television rights and infrastructure, Azcárraga proposed implementing certification mechanisms for stadiums and training facilities to ensure the economic viability of promoted teams. He noted that for a transition to occur, the Liga de Expansión MX must first achieve greater economic and sporting stability. For the 2026-2027 cycle, the FMF and Liga MX have officially announced a new sporting model that definitively eliminates sporting promotion and relegation. Under this structure, Liga MX will operate as a closed circuit of 18 franchises, where access is determined by the acquisition of franchises or direct invitations based on meeting strict financial, infrastructural, and institutional requirements, rather than on-field results. The new pyramid places the Liga de Expansión MX at the top of the developmental structure. To maintain connectivity between tiers, the FMF plans to introduce cup tournaments, joint competitions, and the integration of Liga MX club affiliates within lower divisions, while also aiming to centralize broadcasting rights. ## Claims - A new competitive pyramid will be established with Liga Expansión MX at the top, followed by Liga Premier, Liga TDP, and the amateur sector. (disputed by 5 sources) - Liga MX will operate as a closed circuit of franchises without sporting promotion or relegation for the 2026-2027 cycle. (disputed by 3 sources) - The FMF has approved a new sports model for Mexican football to be implemented gradually starting in 2027. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Access to Liga MX will be determined by administrative, financial, and infrastructure requirements rather than sporting merit. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The organization plans to centralize broadcasting rights to improve economic stability and commercial appeal. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The new model includes the creation of cup tournaments and joint competitions to connect different league levels. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-22: FMF redesigns Mexican football pyramid amid wage gap concerns The FMF is restructuring Mexican football into a three-tier pyramid under the Liga de Expansión, while players report a widening ten-fold wage gap between the second division and Liga MX. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fmf-redesigns-mexican-football-pyramid-amid-wage-gap-concerns ### 2026-08-20: Liga MX faces antitrust complaint over promotion and relegation suspension Movimiento Ciudadano leader Jorge Álvarez Máynez has petitioned the National Antitrust Commission to investigate Liga MX for eliminating the promotion and relegation system. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/liga-mx-faces-antitrust-complaint-over-promotion-and-relegation-suspension ### 2026-08-19: FMF announces new Mexican football model without promotion or relegation The FMF has announced a new Mexican football model for 2027, establishing a closed Liga MX without sporting promotion or relegation, replaced by a developmental pyramid led by Liga de Expansión. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emilio-azcrraga-jean-advocates-for-liga-mx-promotion-and-relegation ### 2026-08-14: Jorge Álvarez Máynez petitions antitrust regulator over Liga MX promotion ban Jorge Álvarez Máynez has petitioned Mexico's antitrust regulator to investigate the FMF for allegedly creating a monopoly by eliminating promotion and relegation in Liga MX. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jorge-lvarez-mynez-petitions-antitrust-regulator-over-liga-mx-promotion-ban --- Cite as: Liga MX promotion and relegation debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/liga-mx-promotion-and-relegation-debate