After a five-year suspension that drew widespread criticism, promotion and relegation will return to Mexican soccer, restoring competitive balance and giving lower-division clubs a path back to the top league.
Football officials confirmed on August 6 that the system will be reinstated following a pending ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS), which is expected to favor second-tier clubs that challenged the 2020 ban as anti-competitive.
The decision is being framed as a long-overdue correction to a controversial policy that cut off mobility between Liga MX and Liga de Expansión, creating what many fans and analysts saw as a closed league system that hurt development, transparency, and fan engagement.
Restoring a competitive system
Officials from the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) have said they are now finalizing terms for a structured return to the traditional system, including updated licensing requirements, financial criteria, and infrastructure standards for promoted clubs.
“We believe in meritocracy,” said one FMF official. “Clubs that invest and perform on the pitch deserve a chance to compete at the highest level.”
The plan will allow the top-performing Liga de Expansión clubs to compete for promotion, likely starting in the 2026–27 season, while underperforming Liga MX teams will face relegation.
Court ruling shifts the landscape
The reversal comes in the context of an ongoing legal challenge at TAS, filed by several second-tier clubs who argued that the freeze on promotion and relegation violated principles of fair competition under FIFA rules.
Though the official verdict has not yet been announced, sources close to the case say the court is expected to rule in favor of the clubs, paving the way for changes to take effect.
The FMF and Liga MX appear to be preemptively adjusting policy to comply with the anticipated ruling and avoid further sanctions or legal complications.
What happened in 2020?
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mexican football authorities suspended promotion and relegation between the first and second divisions, citing financial instability among smaller clubs and the need to stabilize the league structure.
The move was widely condemned as a power grab by top-tier teams, many of which had lobbied to eliminate the risk of falling out of Liga MX.
Fans, analysts, and international observers noted that the change led to stagnation at both levels of play and reduced competitive incentives.
In the years since, efforts to reintroduce mobility have gained momentum, especially under the leadership of new FMF officials who recognize the importance of restoring credibility and development pathways.
Former Olympian to guide transition
As part of the return plan, the federation has enlisted former Olympic diver and current legislator Rommel Pacheco to mediate discussions between leagues, clubs, and regulatory bodies.
Pacheco is known for his public service work and his recent involvement in sports governance. His role will include facilitating reforms to ensure that promotion and relegation are implemented with transparency and enforceable rules.
He will also work to protect smaller clubs from overextension or bankruptcy during the transition, a key concern for financial regulators in Mexican soccer.
Reactions from clubs and fans
Second-tier clubs have welcomed the news as validation of their efforts to remain competitive and solvent despite lacking access to top-level revenue.
“We never stopped believing in our project,” said a director from one Liga de Expansión team. “Now our players, fans, and investors have something to work toward again.”
Liga MX fans also responded positively, with trending topics on social media praising the return of a “more just and exciting system” that rewards ambition and punishes mediocrity.
For many, the restoration of promotion and relegation also signals a broader commitment to long-term reform in Mexican soccer.
Challenges ahead
Despite the enthusiasm, serious logistical and regulatory challenges remain. Stadium infrastructure, youth development programs, and financial reporting will all need to be evaluated to ensure promoted clubs meet first-division standards.
The FMF is reportedly drafting a new club licensing framework modeled on UEFA benchmarks, which will include audits and compliance assessments before any promotion is approved.
Top-tier clubs that have benefited from the closed system may also push back against the changes, fearing the instability that comes with potential relegation.
But FMF officials insist that the reforms are necessary to restore the sport’s credibility in Mexico and align with international expectations.
A turning point for Mexican football
With this policy reversal, Mexican soccer appears to be rejoining the global consensus that mobility between divisions is essential for healthy league competition.
The return of promotion and relegation marks a major milestone for fans, athletes, and club owners alike—and may reignite passion in a system that many feared had become stagnant.
