The decision to end promotion and relegation was driven by economic challenges and the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
Mexico’s 2023 Opening season has reached its close, mirroring recent years when the system of promotion and relegation in the Liga MX pyramid and the expansion league remained halted.
This move was welcomed by the major league groups—Querétaro, Juárez, Xolos de Tijuana, San Luis, and others—more than by clubs in the lower silver division. Their aim was to prevent further situations like those faced by Jaguars or Veracruz, who struggled to meet payroll and maintain operations amid mounting instability.
CONTENTS
- How long will there be no promotion and relegation?
- Which teams can be promoted to Liga MX?
- Which teams can rise to the MX Expansion League?
- What happens to the last places in the Ascenso
Teams no longer need to answer to anxious fans or worry about brand devaluation from losing a category. The main concern now centers on potential penalties and financial fines rather than on on-pitch reputational damage.
Enrique Bonilla, former president of Liga MX and Ascenso, announced the news on April 17 during a video conference. He outlined a set of measures affecting the championship, notably the five-year suspension of promotion and relegation in Mexican football.
Today Mikel Arriola, president of Liga MX, the Expansion League, and Liga MX Femenil, clarified the new agreements at the owners’ meeting. He stated that the return of promotion would come with a revised framework focused on youth development and sustainable pathways for clubs.
Let’s take a closer look at the regulations.
WHAT IS THE EQUIVALENT?
Atlético Morelia
The initial plan envisioned a five-season window from the decision, starting with Guardianes 2020, spanning 10 tournaments and resuming in the Opening 2025. A renewed path now allows a first promotion as early as the Opening 2022, contingent on sporting merit and a sufficient number of certified clubs.
“The first possible promotion for a club could occur in the 2022-2023 season if a certified club wins the champions’ title and there are at least four certified clubs before the season begins,” Arriola stated.
LEAGUE MX: WHICH TEAMS CAN PROMOTE?
Cancún FC
Currently there are no automatic promotions unless a direct invitation from the league is issued or a club changes its base. The scenario will be reassessed within three years.
Despite protests from Leones Negros de la Universidad de Guadalajara, Venados de Mérida, and Correcaminos regarding the resolution, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a statement confirming that the FMF leadership acted within the law and in accordance with its statutes and the rights of clubs.
Thus the policy of suspending relegation and promotion in Liga MX will continue for the upcoming seasons.
EXPANSION LEAGUE: WHICH CLUBS CAN PROMOTE?
@TV Azteca
The same logic applies to the Expansion League. In the final stretch of the 2020-21 period, the veto was lifted for a new team joining from the Premier League—examples include Tlaxcala Coyotes or Deportivo Tepatitlán—when they meet the required criteria and receive an invitation.
EXPANSION LEAGUE: Latter stages and penalties
In addition to penalties, the last two places on the league table face financial fines. The 14th place incurs a 500 thousand peso fine, the 15th one million pesos, and the last place, 1.5 million pesos, unless one of the guests from the Premier League or a subsidiary from Liga MX takes the spot.
All information is reported with attribution to Goal.