How the Liga MX Apertura and Clausura Seasons Work

Quick Answer

The Liga MX season is split into two independent tournaments per year: the Apertura (opening tournament) and the Clausura (closing tournament). Each tournament has a regular season followed by a playoff phase (called the Liguilla) to determine a champion.

The Apertura runs from July to December, while the Clausura runs from January to May. This system means Mexico crowns two league champions every season, unlike most European leagues that have a single annual champion.

Key Facts

• Liga MX operates on a bi-annual championship system with two separate tournaments per season: Apertura and Clausura
• The Apertura 2025 season began on July 11, 2025, with the final phase scheduled from November 20 to December 14, 2025
• As of July 2026, Cruz Azul is the current titleholder of the Clausura 2025 tournament
• Club América holds the record for most Clausura titles in Liga MX history
• The regular season consists of 17 matchdays per tournament
• Ten teams qualify for the final phase (playoffs) in each tournament
• The current 2026–27 season is the 79th professional season of top-flight football in Mexico
• Liga MX is officially known as Liga BBVA MX for sponsorship reasons
• Notable 2025 transfers included Allan Saint-Maximin to Club América for $12 million and Nelson Deossa to Monterrey

How the Apertura and Clausura System Originated

The split-season format is not unique to Mexico, but Liga MX has perfected it into a dramatic, high-stakes calendar that keeps fans engaged year-round. The system was adopted to align with Mexico's football culture and economic realities, allowing clubs to maximize revenue through two championship runs per year.

The Apertura typically begins in mid-July and concludes in December, with the final phase often overlapping with the holiday season. The Clausura starts in January and wraps up in May, right before the summer transfer window opens.

This scheduling creates two distinct narratives per season, each with its own champion, its own playoff drama, and its own set of storylines. For the 2025–26 season, the Apertura kicked off on July 11, 2025.

The regular season ran through the summer and fall, with the final phase—the knockout playoffs—scheduled from November 20 to December 14, 2025. This timeline gives clubs a clear break between tournaments and allows for roster adjustments during the winter transfer window.

The Clausura then picks up in January, following a similar format: 17 regular-season matches followed by a playoff phase. The Clausura 2025 champion, as of July 2026, is Cruz Azul.

Club América holds the historical record for most Clausura titles, cementing their status as one of the most successful clubs in the tournament's history.

Regular Season Structure 17 Matchdays of Competition

Each Apertura or Clausura tournament features a regular season of 17 matchdays. This is a relatively short season compared to European leagues, which typically play 34 to 38 matches.

The compact schedule means every match carries significant weight, as teams have fewer opportunities to recover from poor form. The 18 Liga MX clubs play each other once per tournament in a round-robin format.

Since there are 18 teams, each club plays 17 matches—one against every other team. The standings are determined by the standard points system: three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss.

Goal difference serves as the first tiebreaker. Based on available data from the Clausura 2025 standings, the top four teams at Matchday 17 were:

1. Toluca
2. América
3. Cruz Azul
4. Tigres UANL

This top-four finish is crucial because it determines seeding for the playoff phase. The top four teams automatically qualify for the quarterfinals, while teams finishing fifth through twelfth enter a play-in round to determine the remaining quarterfinal spots.

The regular season is intense and unforgiving. With only 17 matches, there is no room for complacency.

A slow start can doom a team's playoff chances before the halfway point. Conversely, a strong run of form in the final five matchdays can propel a mid-table side into contention.

The Liguilla How the Playoff Phase Works

The Liguilla—the Spanish term for the playoff phase—is where the Apertura and Clausura champions are decided. Unlike the regular season, which uses a points system, the Liguilla is a knockout tournament.

This format introduces an element of unpredictability, where a lower-seeded team can upset a league leader in a single match or a two-legged tie. For the Apertura 2025, ten teams qualified for the final phase.

The top four teams from the regular season automatically advanced to the quarterfinals. Teams ranked fifth through twelfth entered a play-in round, called the Repechaje, to determine the final four quarterfinalists.

The Repechaje matches are single-elimination, with higher-seeded teams hosting. The winners join the top four seeds in the quarterfinals, which are played over two legs (home and away).

The semifinals and final are also two-legged ties. The final phase for Apertura 2025 was scheduled from November 20 to December 14, 2025.

This tight window means teams play three or four matches in less than a month, testing squad depth and stamina. The champion is crowned after the two-legged final, with away goals serving as a tiebreaker if necessary.

The Liguilla format has its critics, who argue that a knockout tournament can crown a champion who was mediocre during the regular season. Supporters counter that it creates drama and rewards teams that peak at the right time.

Regardless of the debate, the Liguilla remains the defining feature of Liga MX's split-season system.

Why Two Championships Per Year Matter

The Apertura and Clausura system fundamentally changes how clubs approach squad building and season planning. Unlike European leagues where a single bad month can ruin an entire season, Liga MX teams get a reset every six months.

A disappointing Apertura can be forgotten with a strong Clausura, and vice versa. This structure also affects the transfer market.

Clubs have two windows per year to strengthen their squads: one in the summer before the Apertura, and one in the winter before the Clausura. The 2025 summer transfer window saw significant moves, including Allan Saint-Maximin joining Club América for $12 million and Nelson Deossa moving to Monterrey.

These mid-season acquisitions can immediately impact the Clausura title race. For fans, the dual-championship system means two opportunities for glory per year.

Rivalries intensify because teams face each other twice in the regular season (once per tournament) and potentially again in the Liguilla. The system also keeps interest high throughout the calendar year, as there is never a long offseason.

From a financial perspective, two championships mean two Liguilla broadcasts, two trophy ceremonies, and two sets of merchandise sales. Clubs that consistently qualify for the Liguilla benefit from increased revenue from ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and sponsorships tied to playoff success.

Current State of Liga MX (July 2026)

As of July 16, 2026, the Liga MX landscape is shaped by recent results and ongoing developments. The Clausura 2025 champion is Cruz Azul, who claimed the title in the most recent completed tournament.

Club América continues to hold the record for most Clausura titles, a testament to their sustained excellence. The 2026–27 season is now underway, marking the 79th professional season of top-flight football in Mexico.

The league continues to be known as Liga BBVA MX for sponsorship purposes. Standings for the current season are available through various sports outlets, including ESPN and Goal.com, which track the 2026-27 Mexican Liga BBVA MX table.

Notable storylines for the current season include the emergence of young talent like Gilberto Mora, who is being touted as a potential breakout star for the 2026 World Cup. The transfer market remains active, with the 2026 total transfer fee for Liga MX reaching €21.9 million according to available data.

The league's competitive balance is evident in the standings, with traditional powers like Toluca, América, Cruz Azul, and Tigres UANL consistently featuring near the top. However, mid-table clubs have proven they can challenge for the title in any given tournament, thanks to the Liguilla format.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Apertura and Clausura in Liga MX?

The Apertura is the first tournament of the season, running from July to December. The Clausura is the second tournament, running from January to May.

Each tournament has its own regular season, playoffs, and champion. This means two champions are crowned every year.

How many teams qualify for the Liga MX playoffs?

Ten teams qualify for the Liguilla (playoff phase). The top four teams from the regular season automatically advance to the quarterfinals.

Teams ranked fifth through twelfth enter a play-in round (Repechaje) to determine the remaining four quarterfinal spots.

When does the Liga MX season start and end?

The Apertura typically starts in mid-July and ends in December. The Clausura starts in January and ends in May.

The 2025–26 season began on July 11, 2025, with the Apertura final phase scheduled from November 20 to December 14, 2025.

Who holds the record for most Clausura titles?

Club América holds the record for the most Clausura titles in Liga MX history. As of July 2026, Cruz Azul is the current Clausura titleholder, having won the Clausura 2025 tournament.

How is the Liga MX champion determined?

The champion is determined through a knockout playoff phase called the Liguilla. The regular season determines seeding, but the title is decided in a two-legged final between the last two teams standing.

The team with the better aggregate score over both legs wins the championship.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting.