The Apertura 2026 Liga MX tournament will begin on July 16th. The date marks the beginning of a season that will be atypical, as the calendar overlaps with the final phases of Copa of Mundo 2026, scheduled to end on July 19th in Estádio of Nova York and Nova Jersey. Liga MX has officially confirmed the competition schedule, including playoff and grand final dates.
Renovações and reinforcements at main clubs
Santos has hired Brazilian coach Renato Paiva for next season. Monterrey has reached an agreement with Matías Almeyda, who will take over as coach. Essas changes are part of a series of reformulations involving several Liga MX clubs, with the aim of competing for the titles available next season.
Clubes like América and Chivas carry outstanding debts with their respective fans. Mazatlán Gunners’s absence will be notable in the next edition, while Atlante Iron Colts returns as one of the main protagonists of Apertura 2026. Essas changes to the tournament composition promise different dynamics compared to previous seasons.
Datas confirmed for Apertura 2026
Liga MX released the full competition calendar:
- Apertura 2026: July 16
- Campeão from Campeões: July 25
- Playoffs: Starts November 19
- Final (first game): December 10
- Rodada final: December 13
Dates are subject to change due to international commitments. Liga MX maintains flexibility in the calendar to accommodate national team participation in international competitions. The regulations allow for adjustments as needed during the season.
Cruz Azul defends title won at Clausura
Cruz Azul became champions of Clausura 2026, ending the first half of the season with victory in the previous tournament. The team is now looking to defend the title in the Apertura, which would place the club among the main candidates for the second championship in the same year. Performance next season will be essential to consolidate Cruz Azul’s dominance in Mexican football.
Outras Traditional Liga MX teams also work to build competitive rosters. The hiring of foreign coaches and reinforcements in the squad indicate the intention of several clubs to compete for the title with maximum strength. The competition promises to be fierce, with multiple candidates seeking glory in the upcoming season.
Copa from Mundo 2026 stops activities in the second half of the tournament
The Apertura 2026 calendar faces significant challenge with Copa of Mundo 2026 happening simultaneously. The final of the world competition will take place on July 19th, just 3 days after the start of the Mexican tournament. Essa overlap will force Liga MX to take breaks or schedule adjustments to allow for player participation in national teams.
The impact will be greater in the final stretch of Apertura, when the playoffs begin on November 19th. Nesse period, several players will be returning from international commitments, which could affect the teams’ physical condition and performance. Liga MX has already foreseen the possibility of changes to the final dates for this reason, according to the entity’s official statement.
