Mexican Football Federation suspends promotion and relegation

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has unveiled a new sports model that, for the time being, eliminates promotion and relegation between Liga MX and the Liga de Expansión. Francisco Iturbide, president of Liga MX, explained that clubs in the second-tier Liga de Expansión currently lack the necessary financial solvency to move up to the top flight. Consequently, this division will now serve as the foundation for a structure designed to foster talent development.

"Regarding promotion and relegation, a diagnosis was made with these new governance models. Over these six years, a very high institutional gap has emerged that currently prevents viability for implementing the model everyone knows, that of the most important leagues," Iturbide stated. "We are not prepared for that; we will work to be ready, with this new governance model and resource injection for the future."

Therefore, sporting promotion is ruled out in the short term. The only pathway to Liga MX currently available is through the purchase of a franchise, as recently demonstrated by Atlante, and by proving the necessary financial solvency and infrastructure. Starting with the 2026-27 season, the Liga de Expansión will comprise its current franchises and the reserve teams of Liga MX clubs that opt to participate, similar to Tapatío (Guadalajara) and Cruz Azul Hidalgo.

The FMF's medium-term objective is to centralize broadcasting rights for Liga MX. This move is expected to generate increased economic resources for all clubs, which could then trickle down to Liga de Expansión teams, potentially improving their financial stability and paving the way for the eventual return of sporting promotion and relegation.

Currently, the plan is for all 18 First Division teams to have a reserve team in the Liga de Expansión circuit. This restructuring aims to create a more robust and financially sound football ecosystem in Mexico.

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Regarding promotion and relegation, a diagnosis was made with these new governance models. Over these six years, a very high institutional gap has emerged that currently prevents viability for implementing the model everyone knows, that of the most important leagues. We are not prepared for that; we will work to be ready, with this new governance model and resource injection for the future.