When the regular phase ends, eight teams face off to decide the four that will advance to the Liguilla.
The MX competition has shifted in recent seasons. The league format now adds a more dramatic layer to the chase for the title, since the path to the Liguilla includes an additional decisive round that keeps more clubs in contention longer.
Reclassification has returned after earlier versions of the tournament it echoed, with champions in the past sometimes opting to bypass it, only to see its revival in Guardians 2020. Eight teams compete for four quarterfinal spots, keeping the dream alive for more clubs and sharpening the fight for the top position in the national league.
For GOAL, this change matters because it raises the stakes for every match and expands the field of potential champions entering the knockout rounds.
WHEN IS IT
The rematch for Clausura 2023 was scheduled between May 6 and May 7, as the official league calendar confirmed. The dates anchor the reclassification phase in a broader season timeline, aligning scheduling with the demanding rhythm that characterizes the MX circuit.
FORMAT
The reclassification matches pit teams ranked from fifth to twelfth against one another. These duels are hosted at the home venue of the higher-seeded team, and the winner advances to the next round.
In the event of a draw at the end of regular time, penalties decide the victor. The successful side earns a place in the quarterfinals and keeps its title ambitions alive.
QUALIFIED
In the positions of 5 through 12 on the table, the teams are currently: Chivas, Pachuca, Tigres, Cruz Azul, Querétaro, Puebla, Santos, and San Luis, listed in that order as the contenders for the last stage before the knockout rounds. It should be noted that the top four teams overall receive direct quarterfinal berths, bypassing the reclassification entirely.
HOW THE RECLASSIFICATION WORKS
- Chivas (5th) vs. San Luis (12th)
- Pachuca (6th) vs. Santos (11th)
- Tigres (7th) vs. Puebla (10th)
- Cruz Azul (8th) vs. Querétaro (9th)
Source: Goal