Liga MX Finals: A Century of Title Clashes in Mexican Football

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Since the Liguillas began in the 1970-1971 season, several clubs have repeatedly reached the late stages of Mexico’s top flight format. Over decades, a handful of sides have become fixtures in the championship race, turning each season into a reflection of enduring rivalries and historical momentum.

While opinions differ on the fairness of the playoff system used to crown the national champion, club powerhouses such as America, Cruz Azul, and the squad known as Cougars have earned the most finals appearances in the competition’s history. Their consistent presence in the decisive rounds highlights how deeply some teams are woven into the fabric of Mexican football’s most dramatic moments.

With Atlas securing the latest crown, the fanbase of the Fierro team adds another memorable chapter to its long narrative, while the Rojinegros continue to reshape their legacy and push toward a lasting mark on the record books. The arc of these clubs underscores the evolving story of the league, where tradition and ambition collide on a yearly stage.

At GOAL, the top 10 clubs with the most finals in MX league history are highlighted, noting that some seasons used extended formats in which every point counted toward the title chase.

2. AMERICA

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FINALS: 23

WON: 13 (1965-66, 1970-1971, 1975-1976, 1983-1984, 1984-1985, PRODE 85, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, Summer 2002, Closing 2005, Closing 2013, Opening 2014, Opening 2018)

TO LOSE: 10 (1959-60, 1961-62, 1963-1964, 1966-67, 1971-1972, 1990-91, C-2007, A-2013, A-2016, A-2019)

3. BLUE CROSS

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FINALS: 17

WON: 7 (1971-1972, 1972-1973, 1973-1974, 1978-1979, 1979-1980, Winter 1997 and Guardians 2021)

TO LOSE: 10 (1980-1981, 1986-1987, 1988-1989, 1994-1995, Winter 1999, Closing 2008, Opening 2008, Opening 2009, Closing 2013, Opening 2018)

4. COUGARS

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FINALS: 14

WON: 7 (1976–1977, 1980–1981, 1990–1991, closing 2004, opening 2004, closing 2009, and closing 2011)

TO LOSE: 7 (1977–1978, 1978–1979, 1984–1985, 1987–1988, opening 2007, opening 2015, Guardians 2020)

5. TOLUCA

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FINALS: 14

WON: 8 (1974–1975, Summer 1998, Summer 1999, Summer 2000, Opening 2002, Opening 2005, Opening 2008 and Bicentennial 2010)

TO LOSE: 6 (1970-1971, winter 2000, opening 2006, opening 2012, closing 2018 and opening 2022)

6. SAINTS

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FINALS: 12

WON: 6 (winter 1996, summer 2001, closure 2008, closure 2012, closure 2015, and closure 2018)

TO LOSE: 6 (1993–1994, Summer 2000, Bicentennial 2010, Opening 2010, Opening 2011, Guardians 2021)

7. TIGERS

FINALS: 12

WON: 8 (1977-1978, 1981-1982, Opening 2011, Opening 2015, Opening 2016, Opening 2017, Closing 2019, Closing 2023)

TO LOSE: 4 (1979-1980, winter 2001, opening 2003 and closing 2017)

8. MONTERREY

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FINALS: eleven

WON: 5 (Mexico 1986, closing 2003, opening 2009, opening 2010, opening 2019)

TO LOSE: 6 (1992–1993, opening 2004, opening 2005, closing 2012, closing 2016, and opening 2017)

9. PACHUCA

FINALS: eleven

WON: 7 (winter 1999, winter 2001, opening 2003, closing 2006, closing 2007, closing 2016 and opening 2022)

TO LOSE: 4 (summer 2001, closing 2009, closing 2014 and closing 2022)

10. CHIVAS

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Final: 9

WON: 4 (1986–1987, summer 1997, opening 2006 and closing 2017)

TO LOSE: 5 (1982–1983, 1983–1984, winter 1998, 2004 shutdown and 2023 shutdown)

11. NECAXA

FINALS: 7

WON: 3 (1994-1995, 1995-1996 and Winter 1998)

TO LOSE: 4 (1973–1974*, winter 1996, summer 1998 and summer 2002)

*When I was Atlético Español

Which team will win the Clausura 2023 Liga MX?

  • eleven Monterey
  • 22 America
  • 43 Chivas
  • 2 Toluca
  • 17 tigers
  • 5 Other

22719to vote

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