Liga MX seeks to become one of the Americas' most-watched leagues

Mexico's Liga MX is setting its sights on solidifying its position as one of the continent's most-watched football leagues. As the Apertura 2026 tournament kicks off, the league aims to rank among the top three, alongside the United States' Major League Soccer (MLS) and Brazil's Brasileirao.

Recent data from the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) indicates significant progress. During the Clausura 2026, Liga MX garnered a cumulative audience of 81.71 million viewers across Mexico and the United States. This figure places it second continentally, trailing only the MLS's 118.5 million viewers and ahead of the Brasileirao's 99.1 million.

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the local league reached a cumulative audience of 81.71 million viewers in Mexico and the United States, only below the 118.5 million reported by MLS and the 99.1 million from Brasileirao.

Despite the absence of promotion and relegation since 2020, Liga MX has successfully boosted its viewership. This growth is partly attributed to the presence of international stars like Sergio Ramos, Ángel Correa, and Keylor Navas. The league averaged 11.4 million television and digital viewers per match in Mexico during the first half of 2026.

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the average television and digital audience of the tournament had 11.4 million viewers per match in Mexican territory.

Liga MX's strong following in the United States, Central America, and South America, countries that supply many of its players, has been crucial. Simultaneous broadcasts on open channels in Mexico and for Spanish-speaking communities in the US, alongside growth on pay-per-view and social media platforms, have expanded its reach. This contrasts with the Brasileirao's primarily local audience and the MLS's shift to global paid platforms.

The league hopes to capitalize on the momentum from the 2026 World Cup, where the Mexican national team reached the round of 16, setting new viewership records. Strategies focusing on open markets, multi-platform accessibility, and the purchasing power of the US Hispanic community project a historic year-end, potentially surpassing 160 million combined viewers. The key challenge remains sustaining this viewership through consistent on-field quality from its 18 teams.

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the championship has boosted its audience thanks to international figures who have played for several Mexican teams.