Liga MX Apertura 2026 Kicks Off: Limited Free-to-Air Broadcasts for Opening Matches

Football fans in Mexico can finally welcome back the Liga MX with the start of the Apertura 2026 tournament this week. The opening jornada promises exciting matchups, but fans will need to choose their viewing options carefully. Only three games will be available on free-to-air television, while the remainder will be spread across pay-TV channels and digital streaming platforms.

The season kicks off on Thursday, July 16, with Necaxa facing Atlante at 7:00 PM on FOX One, followed by Xolos hosting Tigres at 9:00 PM on the same channel. Friday, July 17, features Atlético de San Luis against Cruz Azul on ESPN and León versus Atlas on FOX One. Chivas will debut against Toluca at 7:07 PM on Prime Video, and Querétaro will host América at 9:00 PM on FOX One.

For those seeking free broadcasts, FC Juárez vs. Puebla on Friday, July 17, at 9:00 PM will be available on Azteca 7 in addition to FOX One. The weekend continues with two highly anticipated matches on Saturday, July 18, broadcast on Canal 5 and TUDN: Pumas will host Pachuca at 5:00 PM, and Rayados de Monterrey will face Santos Laguna at 7:00 PM. Specific broadcast times and channels are still awaiting official confirmation from Liga MX.