The Liguilla is coming! Matchday 17 of the Liga MX Apertura 2025 closed with a thrilling finale that defined a good part of the final phase of the tournament, including the teams that qualified directly to the quarterfinals.
As well as those who will have to play the new Play-In format to access the “Fiesta Grande”, as the Liguilla is also known.
Direct qualifiers and Play-In teams
Six clubs earned a direct ticket to the quarterfinals of the Liguilla:
Toluca, Tigres UANL, Cruz Azul, Club América, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
Meanwhile, places 7 to 10 will start the Play-In phase to define the last two places in the quarterfinals. The pairings are:
Serie A (7th vs 8th): Tijuana vs Juarez – direct winner as seventh.
Series B (9th vs 10th): Pachuca vs Pumas UNAM – winner plays the last ticket as eighth.
Timetable and final format
The regular phase concluded this Sunday, November 9, 2025.
After the break due to the FIFA Date, the Play-In matches will start on November 20 and will be decided between November 20 and 23 of the same month.
The quarterfinals of the Liguilla will begin on November 26 and 27 (first leg) and culminate with the return legs a few days later.
A thrilling ending
QuéOnnda.com
Key observations
The Play-In system keeps more franchises alive, which means that the excitement continues until the last few rounds.
The overall standings matter: the top six avoid the tension of the Play-In and advance directly to the Liguilla.
The already-defined playoffs give fans a planning advantage: Toluca, as leader, awaits an opponent from the Play-In.
Why does the Liguilla generate more interest?
For the Latino community in the United States, this format is of greater interest.
Not only because the teams have a large following in the U.S., but also because the Play-In and the Liguilla quarterfinals offer decisive matches that could be broadcast on Spanish-language channels and have an audience from abroad.
In addition, understanding the format – six direct + Play-In + quarterfinals – helps to better follow the matches of your favorite team.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
