The Liga MX Apertura 2025 marks the first half of Mexico’s premier football season, running from July to December 2025. Featuring 18 top-flight teams, the tournament follows a single round-robin regular season (17 matchdays), culminating in an intense Liguilla (playoffs) that crowns the Apertura champion.
The top six teams secure direct spots in the quarterfinals, while teams ranked 7th to 10th battle through a Play-In for the remaining Liguilla slots. The playoffs are two-legged knockouts, with higher-seeded teams holding advancement advantage in case of aggregate draws (except in the final, which allows extra time and penalties).
Apertura 2025 carries immense significance as it guarantees a spot in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup and offers clubs a chance to elevate their status domestically and regionally. Its overlap with the Leagues Cup 2025 intensifies the fixture calendar, pushing clubs to showcase depth and adaptability.
Key rivalry matches like Clásico Nacional (América vs Chivas) and Regio Clásico (Tigres vs Monterrey) are focal points, amplifying fan passion and media coverage. With no promotion/relegation pressure, all 18 clubs aim solely for glory, playoff positioning, and commercial success in a highly competitive environment.
Apertura 2025 will shape narratives, define club trajectories for the 2025-26 football year, and solidify Liga MX’s standing in North American football.
Season Overview
• The Apertura 2025 tournament officially began on Friday, July 11, 2025.
• After Matchdays 1–3, the league paused briefly for the group stage of the Leagues Cup (July 29–August 7).
• Competitions resumed August 8–11 with Matchday 4 for Apertura.
• The regular phase continues through mid-November (17 matchdays total) before postseason play begins.
August Matchdays and Key Dates
During August the league will feature:
• Matchday 4: August 8–11 (immediately after Leagues Cup group stage).
• Matchday 5: Likely mid-August (around Aug 16) with notable match: Tigres vs América on Wednesday, August 16.
• Matchday 6: Saturday, August 23, spotlight match: Cruz Azul vs Toluca for Matchday 6 slot.
• Matchday 7: Saturday, August 30, features the derby Chivas vs Cruz Azul.
Matchday 5 and 7 are packed with high-profile duels. The exact fixtures (full league-wide schedule) should be available from official Liga MX sources if you want precise matchups for every date.
Liga MX Apertura 2025 – Tournament Format
The Tournament Format for Liga MX Apertura 2025, Mexico’s top-tier football league:
Competition Structure
Liga MX operates in two split seasons per year:
1. Apertura (Opening) – July to December
2. Clausura (Closing) – January to May
The Apertura 2025 follows this standard format:
1. Regular Season (Jornada 1 to Jornada 17)
• 18 teams compete in a single round-robin (each team plays 17 matches).
• No groups, everyone plays everyone once.
• The standings table is based on points, Win: 3 pts, Draw: 1 pt, Loss: 0 pts.
• Regular season rankings determine playoff (Liguilla) seeding.
2. Playoffs (Liguilla / Final Phase)
The Liguilla consists of:
a) Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Final:
• Top 6 teams in the standings directly qualify for the Quarterfinals.
b) Play-In (Repechaje Eliminator):
• 7th vs 10th and 8th vs 9th play single-leg play-in matches.
• Winners advance to complete the 8-team Liguilla bracket.
3. Liguilla Knockout Rounds (Home & Away)
• Quarterfinals & Semifinals are played over two legs (home & away).
• The Final is also two-legged, with aggregate goals deciding the winner.
• Higher seed advantage: If aggregate scores are tied after both legs in Quarterfinals & Semis, the higher-seeded team advances (No extra-time or penalties).
• The Final uses extra time & penalties if tied on aggregate.
4. No Promotion/Relegation
• Liga MX continues its promotion/relegation suspension through 2025.
• Club licenses & franchise requirements are under review for future seasons.
5. Leagues Cup 2025 Parallel Competition
• Leagues Cup 2025 (Liga MX & MLS teams) overlaps the Apertura in late July and August.
• Mexican teams adjust their Liga MX schedule around Leagues Cup fixtures.
• Participation in the Leagues Cup does not affect Liguilla qualification, but match congestion impacts team rotations and scheduling.
Key Notes – Liga MX Apertura 2025
The Key Notes for Liga MX Apertura 2025:
1. Season Timeline
• Start Date: July 11, 2025
• End Date: December 2025 (Finals)
• Leagues Cup Break: July 29 – August 7, 2025
2. Participating Teams
• 18 Clubs
• Major teams: Club América, Chivas Guadalajara, Tigres UANL, Monterrey, Cruz Azul, Pumas UNAM, Toluca, etc.
3. Competition Format
• Single Round-Robin Regular Season (17 matchdays)
• Top 6 teams qualify directly to Liguilla Quarterfinals
• Teams ranked 7th-10th enter Play-In (Repechaje Eliminator)
• Liguilla: Knockout stages (Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Finals — two-legged ties)
• Higher Seed Advances on Aggregate Draws in Quarterfinals & Semifinals
• Finals allow for Extra Time & Penalties
4. No Promotion/Relegation
• Relegation remains suspended due to financial and licensing considerations
• Discussions ongoing for reinstating promotion/relegation in future seasons
5. Leagues Cup Overlap
• Liga MX teams also participate in Leagues Cup 2025 (with MLS clubs)
• Scheduling challenges as teams compete in both tournaments in August
6. Seeding Advantage
• Regular season performance is crucial — higher seed gets tiebreaker advantage in knockout rounds (except Final)
• Incentivizes teams to finish high on the league table, not just aim for playoff qualification
7. International Qualification
• Apertura 2025 Champion secures a spot in CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026
• Other top-performing teams, based on combined Apertura & Clausura standings may earn continental berths
8. Tiebreakers for Standings
Order of tie-breaking criteria:
1. Goal Difference
2. Goals Scored
3. Head-to-Head Result
4. Fair Play Points (disciplinary record)
5. Drawing of Lots (if necessary)
9. No Away Goals Rule
• Liga MX does NOT use the away goals rule in Liguilla knockout stages.
• Aggregate score is the primary decider; if tied, higher seed advances, Final goes to extra time/penalties if tied.
10. Broadcast & Coverage
• Matches broadcast via TUDN, Fox Sports Mexico, TV Azteca, and ViX+
• Select matches streamed globally on digital platforms, depending on regional rights
Importance of Liga MX Apertura 2025
The Importance of Liga MX Apertura 2025 in the context of Mexican and international football:
1. First Half of Mexico’s Domestic Football Calendar
• Apertura is the opening tournament of Liga MX’s split-season system (Apertura & Clausura).
• It sets the tone for club performance, fan engagement, and financial momentum for the year.
• Winning Apertura is as prestigious as winning Clausura; both are considered independent championships.
2. Gateway to International Competitions
• The Apertura 2025 Champion automatically qualifies for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the premier club competition in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
• Strong performance in Apertura is vital for teams aiming for FIFA Club World Cup 2029, which will have an expanded format requiring consistent success in continental play.
3. Seeding & Advantage for Liguilla
• Higher placement in Apertura standings grants critical seeding advantages during playoffs (Liguilla).
• Teams strive for top-six placement to avoid the Play-In and secure a more favorable knockout bracket.
4. Rivalries & National Attention
• Key rivalry matches like Clásico Nacional (América vs Chivas), Regio Clásico (Monterrey vs Tigres), and Capital derbies fuel massive viewership spikes and media coverage.
• These derbies shape fan culture and influence media narratives in Mexican football for the entire year.
5. Leagues Cup Impact
• Apertura 2025 overlaps with the Leagues Cup 2025, where Liga MX clubs face MLS teams.
• Success in Apertura while balancing Leagues Cup fixtures will test squad depth and management strategies.
• Strong Apertura performances enhance Liga MX’s regional dominance in North American club football.
6. Commercial & Sponsorship Stakes
• Apertura drives broadcast ratings, merchandising, and sponsorship revenues.
• Teams performing well in Apertura secure stronger commercial deals heading into Clausura 2026.
• Clubs also increase their global visibility, especially with expanded streaming platforms like ViX+ and YouTube partnerships.
7. Fan Engagement & Stadium Revenues
• Apertura attracts high stadium attendances, particularly for high-profile matches and derby clashes.
• The tournament is crucial for rebuilding fan bases post-pandemic era, driving both in-stadium and digital fan engagement initiatives.
8. No Promotion/Relegation = High Stakes on Glory
• With no relegation pressure, clubs fully focus on playoff qualification and championship glory.
• For mid-table teams, Apertura becomes a chance to make a bold playoff run without the fear of demotion.
9. Tactical & Squad Evolution
• Apertura is a testing ground for new signings, coaching strategies, and tactical systems.
• Teams fine-tune their squads in Apertura for a more polished campaign in the Clausura and international tournaments.
Conclusion
The Liga MX Apertura 2025 is not just the opening half of the Mexican football season—it is a crucial battleground that shapes the competitive, financial, and cultural landscape of the sport in Mexico. With high-stakes playoff qualification, intense rivalries, and a direct path to international competitions like the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026, the Apertura serves as a pivotal stage for clubs to assert dominance.
The overlapping Leagues Cup fixtures add a layer of complexity, testing squad depth and management acumen. While the absence of promotion and relegation shifts the focus entirely to playoff glory, the format ensures that every regular-season match impacts seeding and postseason advantages.
For fans, Apertura 2025 promises a thrilling blend of tradition and modern spectacle, with marquee derbies, emerging talents, and global broadcasting reach enhancing the tournament’s importance. Success in Apertura often sets the momentum for the Clausura and elevates clubs’ prestige on the continental stage.
___________
Thanks for reading
For More : Sports