Liga MX confirmed a series of transformations that will take effect as of the 2026 Clausura, after presenting its annual balance with positive results in audiences, stadium attendance and international competitiveness. The league’s president, Mikel Arriola, highlighted that Mexican soccer maintains its leadership in the region and that the upcoming adjustments seek to strengthen the spectacle and support the Mexican National Team in a key year for its international commitments.
During the report, Arriola underscored the international weight that Mexican clubs are regaining. He recalled Cruz Azul’s title in the Concacaf Champions Cup 2024-2025, as well as the participation of Rayados de Monterrey in the Club World Cup 2025, held in the United States under the new 32-team format. These achievements strengthened Liga MX’s first position in the Concacaf league ranking, where four Mexican clubs remain among the five best in the continent.
Growth in stadiums and on television
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Attendance at stadiums reflected a clear recovery from the years following the pandemic.
According to Arriola, Liga MX registered 3.74 million fans in the last year, an increase of 5% over the previous period.
This occurred despite the reduction in capacity caused by the temporary absence of two teams that used to use the Azteca Stadium.
This affected up to 35% of available capacity.
Television consumption also showed signs of strong recovery.
Although the first half of 2025 showed a considerable drop, the second half of the year reversed the trend:
Ratings increased 12%, reaching 78.74 million viewers, a figure that far surpassed the previous negative streak.
Key changes for Clausura 2026
In order to facilitate the preparation of the Mexican National Team for high-impact international tournaments in 2026, Liga MX will make temporary adjustments.
Among the most relevant:
The Liguilla will be played without Play-Ins
The called-up players will not participate in the final phase.
All clubs may field up to nine players not trained in Mexico.
The tournament will start on January 9 and will include three double days
These changes are intended to provide a more flexible schedule for the concentration of players, who must report five weeks prior to their national team commitments.
La asistencia en los estadios reflejó una recuperación clara
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Semi-automated offside technology arrives
One of the most outstanding announcements was the incorporation of the Automated Offside System (SAOT).
Technology already used in European competitions such as the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FIFA tournaments.
Liga MX began installing the system in various stadiums in the country during 2024 and 2025, allowing it to operate on a trial basis in the Liguilla.
The SAOT is powered by 28 high-speed cameras and artificial intelligence-generated 3D models capable of determining offside positions more accurately and quickly.
In some stadiums, such as Ciudad Universitaria, a variant based on “Genius” cameras, which capture up to 180 frames per second, similar to the technology used in England, was even tested.
Liga MX expects this tool to be fully operational by the start of the 2026 Clausura, marking one of the most important technological advances in the history of Mexican soccer.
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