Discover when the Apertura 2023 season in Liga MX kicks off and what fans can expect as Mexican football returns to its familiar rhythm after a dramatic Closure 2023.
Following the emotional conclusions of the previous campaign, the league moves forward with plans for a fresh first division tournament. This piece from GOAL lays out the opening date and outlines the format, teams, and key details supporters will want to know as the new season approaches in the top tier of Mexican football.
As the league confirms the schedule, there is an expectation that the same clubs that competed in the End of 2023 will line up once again, unless a last‑minute change reshapes the lineup. The calendar is being sharpened, and discussions continue about broadcast slots, potential matchups, and the pace of the early fixtures.
WHEN DOES THE 2023 LIGA MX OPENING TOURNAMENT START?
The opener is scheduled for Friday, June 30. In the days ahead, the league will announce the exact match that will kick off the season, along with the full calendar detailing whether there will be back‑to‑back rounds and the timeline for the Liguilla, the playoff phase that follows the regular season.
MATCHES OF DAY 1
Details are being finalized. Officials are expected to publish the opening weekend lineup soon, with fans anticipating marquee clashes that set the tone for the campaign.
MATCH FORMAT
The competition sticks to the familiar format used in short tournaments.
- A 17‑day regular phase unfolds, with teams facing each other in a round‑robin style to establish the table standings.
- The top four finishers secure direct progression to the quarterfinals, while the teams ranking fifth through twelfth enter a repechage to determine the remaining four spots in the knockout stage.
- Teams finishing near the bottom face financial penalties as a consequence of their performance in the tournament, with fines set at notable levels to reflect the semester’s results.
- In the Liguilla, the knockout rounds are played on a home‑and‑away basis, maintaining the intensity of two‑leg ties.
- The away goals rule is removed during the Liguilla, restoring the advantage to the higher‑placed club in the league table.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
- America
- Atlas
- Chivas
- Juarez
- Lion
- Mazatlan
- Monterrey
- Necaxa
- Pachuca
- Puebla
- Tigres
- Tijuana
- Toluca
Which team is favored to win the Clausura 2023 Liga MX?
- Monterrey
- America
- Chivas
- Toluca
- Tigres
- Other
Votes cast: in‑dividual fan input reflects a wide range of opinions about the championship favorites and potential surprises for the season ahead.
Source: GOAL