Learn when the Liga MX Clausura 2024 season kicks off and what fans can expect as Mexico’s premier football competition moves toward another busy half-year on the top flight circuit.
Although the 2023 Apertura was still in progress, clubs across Mexico are already layering plans for the upcoming Clausura, with squads eager to build momentum and fans counting down the days. This article provides the official start date for Clausura 2024, outlines the competition’s structure, and lists the teams taking part in the league’s updated format.
In Mexico, there is no promotion or relegation between Clausura 2024 and the surrounding seasons, a system that has persisted despite ongoing discussions about changes to the league’s structure. The league presidency has indicated that the core participant clubs from Opening 2023 are set to return for Clausura 2024, barring any unforeseen developments. This continuity is a source of both stability and expectation for supporters across the country and for observers abroad who follow Liga MX closely.
WHEN DOES THE 2023 LIGA MX CLAUSURA TOURNAMENT START?
Officially, the Clausura 2024 kickoff is slated for Friday, January 12, with schedules and venues to be confirmed in the lead-up to the opening weekend. The plan emphasizes a compact pace, typical of short-season formats, designed to maximize competition within a condensed calendar while maintaining travel efficiency for participating clubs.
THE MATCHES OF DAY 1
Details about the opening round are framed around the fixture list as soon as the league finalizes broadcast windows and stadium availabilities. Expect a mix of high-profile clashes and potential under-the-radar showdowns that could set the tone for the rest of the Clausura campaign.
COMPETITION FORMAT
The Clausura 2024 format follows the standard short-tournament model widely used in Liga MX. A regular phase spans 17 rounds where teams contest a full round-robin against every other club. The top six clubs from the regular phase advance directly into the quarterfinals, while teams finishing 7th through 10th enter a single-match playoff to determine two additional quarterfinal spots. Clubs finishing 11th through 18th face consequences aligned with the league’s performance metrics, including penalties tied to financial and competitive standings over the semester. In the knockout stage, the home-and-away structure is maintained for each tie, though specific rules may adjust depending on rankings. The away-goals rule in the Liguilla is removed, with the advantage awarded to the higher-ranked team in the standings when aggregate scores are level. This setup rewards consistent performance across the regular phase and rewards tactical depth in the knockout rounds.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
Teams in Clausura 2024 bring a mix of traditional powerhouses and ambitious clubs seeking to elevate their status. The participants include:
- América
- Atlas
- Atlético de San Luis
- Blue Cross
- Chivas
- Juárez
- León
- Mazatlán
- Monterrey
- Necaxa
- Pachuca
- Puebla
- Querétaro
- Queretáro
- Saints
- Tigres
- Tijuana
- Toluca
These clubs compete for the league title while balancing domestic cup duties, regional rivalries, and international competition implications that come with strong Liga MX performances.