Many Liga MX fans have requested the return of promotion and relegation in the league. It is confirmed that promotion and relegation will return to the league starting in the Apertura 2026.
CAS (Court of Arbitration of Sport) revealed in a press release that promotion and relegation will officially return for the 2026-27 season in Liga MX. This will not be back for the Clausura 2026, which starts in January.
CAS also revealed that they dismissed an appeal by second division Mexican football clubs against the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) for an immediate reinstatement of promotion and relegation in Liga MX.
CAS listed Club Atlético La Paz, Club Atlético Morelia, Cancún FC, CD Mineros de Zacatecas, Venados FC, and Leones Negros de la UdeG as the clubs that appealed.
CF Atlante, Cimarrones de Sonora FC, Alebrijes de Oaxaca FC, and Jaiba Brava withdrew from the case. There will be a certification process, and Liga MX will set its rules for promotion and relegation. FMF will have to negotiate with Liga Expansión MX on an agreement for the rules proposed.
No impossible certifications or difficult rules could be placed, as FMF would fall into non-compliance with CAS, according to reports in Mexico.
Buenas noticias para el fútbol mexicano!
— Omar Zeron (@omarzeron) September 4, 2025
Tras el fallo del TAS se informa que volverá el ascenso a Liga MX para la temporada 2026-2027.
Habrá un proceso de certificación, la Liga MX pondrá sus reglas…
El ascenso vive! La expansion cobra vida! pic.twitter.com/cbWS7ecjkN
Why is Promotion and Relegation Desired by Liga MX fans?
Liga MX used to have relegation and promotion that created dramatic ends to a season and created opportunites for lower seeded teams to reach the top flight of Mexican football.
Liga BBVA Expansión MX took over the former second division of Mexican football, Ascenso MX, in 2020. Former clubs like Atlético Morelia (formerly known as Monarcas Morelia) and Atlante FC were regular Liga MX teams that spent years in the top flight and can now dream of returning to the top flight.
Young Mexican players will have more opportunites to prove themselves in the second division and earn their way up to Liga MX. Teams in Liga MX that have not done well for many years will have something to fight for, to not avoid relegation.
Competition is expected to increase, and more Mexican clubs will invest more in youth and star players to avoid relegation and to strive at the top of the Liga MX table.
Do you like the return of promotion and relegation in Liga MX? Which teams from the Liga Expansión MX do you want to see in Liga MX?
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