Liga TDP
 | |
| Organising body | Federación Mexicana de Fútbol |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1967 as Tercera División de México |
| Country | Mexico |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Number of clubs | 246 (Zona A and Zona B) |
| Level on pyramid | 4 |
| Promotion to | Liga Premier |
| Domestic cup(s) | Copa Conecta Copa Promesas MX |
| Current champions | Delfines de Coatzacoalcos (1st title) |
| Most championships | Celaya San Luis Tecos Atlético Tecomán Cuautitlán Cihuatlán Héroes de Zaci (2 titles each) |
| Website | ligatdp.mx |
| Current: 2026–27 Liga TDP season | |
Liga TDP is a professional association football league in Mexico and the fourth tier of the Mexican football league system. Formerly known as Tercera División de México (1967–2017). The league is contested by 246 participating clubs, organized into two zones (Zona A with 136 clubs and Zona B with 110 clubs), divided into 18 groups by geographic location. The season consists of an annual tournament, and the champions are decided by a final knockout phase in each zone. The champions of Zona A and Zona B compete in the national final, known as Campeón de Campeones de la Liga TDP, the winners are crowned Liga TDP champions.
The league has held 67 editions. The inaugural edition was the 1967–68 season, with Zapata crowned as the first champions.
From 1967 to 1994, it was the third level of Mexican football. The 18 groups consist of clubs eligible for four promotion spots to Liga Premier, teams affiliated with clubs from the highest levels, which are known as "filiales" are not eligible for promotion.
Fifty-nine clubs have won the title at least once. Celaya, San Luis, Tecos, Atlético Tecomán, Cuautitlán, Cihuatlán and Héroes de Zaci are the most successful clubs with two titles each.
History
Tercera División de México (1967–2017)
Founded in 1967 as the third level division, it was one of the three divisions originally created for the Mexican football league system, along with the Primera División and Segunda División. The inaugural season had sixteen founding clubs: ADO, Cuautla, Cuautitlán, Chalco, Electra, Gutiérrez Zamora, Iguala, Las Brisas, Naucalpan, Querétaro, San Luis, San Marcos, UAEM, U de Puebla, UV de Coatzacoalcos and Zapata.
The participating clubs were divided into two zones of eight clubs by geographic location. Two phases of 14 rounds each were played, the two zone winners from each phase qualified for the final championship group, which consisted of a round-robin format with six rounds played.
From 1994, it became the fourth level division of Mexican football, after the creation of the Primera División "A" de México as an intermediate league between the Primera División and Segunda División.
Since the 1992–93 season, teams affiliated with Primera División clubs have been integrated into the Tercera División, which are commonly known as "filiales". From 2001 to 2008, two short tournaments were played per season.
Liga TDP (2017–present)
In 2017, the league was rebranded as Liga TDP, it had 215 participating clubs divided into two zones with 13 groups by geographic location. The final phase included 72 clubs and consisted of seven stages.
Since the 2020–21 season, the competition format has been modified and the clubs have been divided into two zones with 18 groups by geographic location, both zones were renamed as Zona A and Zona B. A final phase with 32 clubs is contested in each zone with a trophy awarded to the champions of each zone, and they also advance to the national final for the overall Liga TDP title, which was also renamed as Campeón de Campeones de la Liga TDP.
Competition format
Regular phase
One tournament is played per season, throughout the FIFA's world footballing calendar, the 246 clubs are divided into two zones with 18 groups by geographic location. Zona A consists of nine groups (1–9) and Zona B consists of nine groups (10–18), each group has 9 to 16 participating clubs. The Liga TDP is played in a double round-robin format, with each club facing all other participating clubs twice during the season, except against clubs located in its own group. A penalty shootout is held in matches that end in a draw, the winners get an extra point.
The teams known as "filiales" also participate, which are the reserve teams affiliated with clubs at higher levels (Liga MX, Liga de Expansión MX and Liga Premier). These clubs are not eligible for promotion, however, they qualify for its own final knockout phase for the affiliated teams title, known as Torneo de Filiales de la Liga TDP.[1]
Final phase
The final phase consists of 64 participating clubs, the best 32 clubs from each zone qualify for the final knockout phase. In each zone, the round of 16, quarter-finals, semifinals and final are played with a home and away format, and the winners being determined by the aggregate score.
The champions of Zona A and Zona B compete in the national final for the league's main title, known as Campeón de Campeones de la Liga TDP, and the winners are crowned officially as the Liga TDP champions.
The national champions and runners-up, and also the runners-up from Zona A and Zona B will be promoted, according to their infrastructure and the requirements of the Liga Premier.
Promotion
Four clubs from Liga TDP will be promoted to Liga Premier, the national champions and runners-up will be promoted to Serie A, the runners-up from Zona A and Zona B will be promoted to Serie B. Depending on their economic and sporting infraestructure, the clubs promoted to Serie A could be placed in Serie B in case of failure to comply with the requirements of Serie A.[2]
Certification requirements
For Liga TDP certificate be considered, you must meet the social, sporting, financial and legal requirements; clubs who win promotion and get the support settlement letter from the division to participate in the Liga Premier complying with the following:
- Having full legal rule and membership record with the corporate documents, legal and financial sport under the rules of affiliation, name and headquarters.
- Facilities must comply with the guidelines by the rules of membership, name and ground of Liga Premier.
- Having no debt in the statement of the division or FMF.
Participating clubs
2026–27 season
The 2026–27 Liga TDP season has the following 246 participating clubs.[3]
Zona A
| Group I | Group II | Group III |
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| Group IV | Group V | Group VI |
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| Group VII | Group VIII | Group IX |
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Zona B
| Group X | Group XI | Group XII |
|---|---|---|
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| Group XIII | Group XIV | Group XV |
|---|---|---|
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| Group XVI | Group XVII | Group XVIII |
|---|---|---|
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- Notes
- Affiliated teams of Liga MX club.
- Affiliated teams of Liga de Expansión MX club.
- Affiliated teams of Liga Premier club.
Performances
| Rank | Club | Titles | Runners-up | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celaya5 | 2 | 2 | 1973–74, 1990–91 |
| San Luis5 | 2 | 0 | 1969–70, Mex–1970 | |
| Tecos4 | 2 | 0 | 1972–73, 2016–17 | |
| Atlético Tecomán5 | 2 | 0 | 1982–83, Cla–2004 | |
| Cuautitlán5 | 2 | 0 | 1996–97, 2011–12 | |
| Cihuatlán | 2 | 0 | 1998–99, Cla–2007 | |
| Héroes de Zaci3 | 2 | 0 | 2018–19, 2024–25 | |
| 8 | Potros UAEM5 | 1 | 2 | 1974–75 |
| Atlético San Francisco3 | 1 | 2 | 1991–92 | |
| Loros UdeC/Colimense5 | 1 | 2 | 1992–93 | |
| Zamora5 | 1 | 1 | 1977–78 | |
| Águila Progreso Industrial5 | 1 | 1 | 1986–87 | |
| Tepic B5 | 1 | 1 | Ape–2002 | |
| Soccer Manzanillo/América Manzanillo5 | 1 | 1 | Cla–2006 | |
| Acatlán3 | 1 | 1 | 2017–18 | |
| Zapata5 | 1 | 0 | 1967–68 | |
| Naucalpan5 | 1 | 0 | 1968–69 | |
| Lobos de Querétaro5 | 1 | 0 | 1970–71 | |
| Orizaba5 | 1 | 0 | 1971–72 | |
| TAMSA5 | 1 | 0 | 1975–76 | |
| Osos Grises5 | 1 | 0 | 1976–77 | |
| Lobos de Tlaxcala5 | 1 | 0 | 1978–79 | |
| Oaxtepec5 | 1 | 0 | 1979–80 | |
| Azucareros de Córdoba5 | 1 | 0 | 1980–81 | |
| Poza Rica4 | 1 | 0 | 1981–82 | |
| San Mateo Atenco5 | 1 | 0 | 1983–84 | |
| Búfalos Curtidores5 | 1 | 0 | 1984–85 | |
| Progreso de Cocula5 | 1 | 0 | 1985–86 | |
| Ecatepec5 | 1 | 0 | 1987–88 | |
| Ayense3 | 1 | 0 | 1988–89 | |
| Zitlaltepec5 | 1 | 0 | 1989–90 | |
| Tigrillos UANL5 | 1 | 0 | 1993–94 | |
| Monterrey FAAC5 | 1 | 0 | 1994–95 | |
| Zitácuaro4 | 1 | 0 | 1995–96 | |
| Cachorros de Sayula5 | 1 | 0 | 1997–98 | |
| Chivas Verde Valle5 | 1 | 0 | 1999–00 | |
| Pumas Naucalpan5 | 1 | 0 | 2000–01 | |
| Académicos5 | 1 | 0 | Inv–2001 | |
| Apatzingán5 | 1 | 0 | Ver–2002 | |
| Inter Playa del Carmen3 | 1 | 0 | Cla–2003 | |
| Jersy Nay Ixcuintla5 | 1 | 0 | Ape–2003 | |
| Autlán B5 | 1 | 0 | Ape–2004 | |
| Atlético Cuauhtémoc5 | 1 | 0 | Cla–2005 | |
| Tecamachalco5 | 1 | 0 | Cla–2006 | |
| Búhos de Hermosillo | 1 | 0 | Ape–2006 | |
| Atlético Comonfort5 | 1 | 0 | Ape–2007 | |
| Soccer Manzanillo B5 | 1 | 0 | Cla–2008 | |
| Héroes de Caborca5 | 1 | 0 | 2008–09 | |
| Patriotas de Córdoba5 | 1 | 0 | 2009–10 | |
| Vaqueros de Ixtlán5 | 1 | 0 | 2010–11 | |
| Poblado Miguel Alemán5 | 1 | 0 | 2012–13 | |
| Tuzos Pachuca | 1 | 0 | 2013–14 | |
| Aguacateros CDU3 | 1 | 0 | 2014–15 | |
| Leones Negros UdeG C | 1 | 0 | 2015–16 | |
| Fuertes de Fortín5 | 1 | 0 | 2020–21 | |
| Mazorqueros B5 | 1 | 0 | 2021–22 | |
| Aguacateros de Peribán3 | 1 | 0 | 2022–23 | |
| Faraones de Texcoco5 | 1 | 0 | 2023–24 | |
| Delfines de Coatzacoalcos3 | 1 | 0 | 2025–26 | |
| 60 | Querétaro/Gallos Blancos UAQ1 | 0 | 3 | — |
| Itzaes/Grupo Yucatán | 0 | 2 | — | |
| Potros de Hierro de Neza5 | 0 | 2 | — | |
| Cruz Azul Xochimilco5 | 0 | 2 | — | |
| Sporting Canamy4 | 0 | 2 | — | |
| Cuautla5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Tecnológico de Celaya5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| España Veracruz5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Nuevo Necaxa5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Tapatío2 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Estudiantes de Querétaro5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Torreón5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Universitario Xalapeño5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| UV de Coatzacoalcos5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Leones de Río Blanco5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Águilas UPAEP5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Arroceros de Chetumal5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Alianza de Sayula5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Cruz Azul Hidalgo2 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Gallos de Ciudad Juárez5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Delfines de Xalapa5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Cruz Azul Oaxaca5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Coacalco5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Chalco5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Guasave5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Atlético Carmen5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Garzas UAEH5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| América Acoxpa5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Tecamachalco B5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Tezonapa5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Tuxtepec5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Cacaoteros de Tabasco5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| América Zapata5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Sufacen Tepic5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Inter de Xalapa5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Teca Huixquilucan5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Club Santos Casino4 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Calor de San Pedro3 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Tecamachalco Sur5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Valle Verde Jiquipilas5 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Marina3 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Club RC-11285 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Deportiva Venados3 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Atlético Aragón | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Atlético Cocula3 | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Saltillo Soccer3 | 0 | 1 | — |
- Notes
- Clubs currently in Liga MX.
- Clubs currently in Liga de Expansión MX.
- Clubs currently in Liga Premier.
- Clubs currently on hiatus.
- Defunct clubs.
Zone finals
Liga TDP Zona A
| Rank | Club | Titles | Runners-up | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fuertes de Fortín | 1 | 0 | 2020–21 |
| Deportiva Venados | 1 | 0 | 2021–22 | |
| Atlético Aragón | 1 | 0 | 2022–23 | |
| Faraones de Texcoco | 1 | 0 | 2023–24 | |
| Héroes de Zaci | 1 | 0 | 2024–25 | |
| Delfines de Coatzacoalcos | 1 | 0 | 2025–26 | |
| 7 | Toluca TDP | 0 | 1 | — |
| Chilpancingo | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Artesanos Metepec | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Yautepec | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Dragones de Oaxaca | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Cruz Azul Lagunas | 0 | 1 | — |
Liga TDP Zona B
| Rank | Club | Titles | Runners-up | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Club RC–1128 | 1 | 0 | 2020–21 |
| Mazorqueros B | 1 | 0 | 2021–22 | |
| Aguacateros de Peribán | 1 | 0 | 2022–23 | |
| Acatlán | 1 | 0 | 2023–24 | |
| Atlético Cocula | 1 | 0 | 2024–25 | |
| Saltillo Soccer | 1 | 0 | 2025–26 | |
| 7 | CAFESSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| Real Ánimas de Sayula | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Poza Rica | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Tigres de Álica | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Gorilas de Juanacatlán | 0 | 1 | — | |
| La Tribu de Ciudad Juárez | 0 | 1 | — |
Cup tournament
Copa México de la Tercera División was a domestic cup tournament for clubs in the Tercera División. Formerly known as Copa Presidente de la Tercera División (1967–1970).
The tournament was held eight editions. The inaugural edition was the 1968–69 season, with Querétaro crowned as the first champions. The final edition was the 1980–81 season, with U de Jalapa crowned as the last champions.
Eight clubs won the title at least once. Querétaro, San Luis, Tecnológico de Celaya, Tlalnepantla, Tapatío, Potros UAEM, Osos Grises and U de Jalapa were the most successful clubs with one title each.
Performances
| Rank | Club | Titles | Runners-up | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Querétaro | 1 | 0 | 1968–69 |
| San Luis | 1 | 0 | 1969–70 | |
| Tecnológico de Celaya | 1 | 0 | 1970–71 | |
| Tlalnepantla | 1 | 0 | 1971–72 | |
| Tapatío | 1 | 0 | 1972–73 | |
| Potros UAEM | 1 | 0 | 1974–75 | |
| Osos Grises | 1 | 0 | 1975–76 | |
| U de Jalapa | 1 | 0 | 1980–81 | |
| 9 | Cuautla | 0 | 1 | — |
| Cuautitlán | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Iguala | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Leones Negros UdeG | 0 | 1 | — | |
| U de Tamaulipas | 0 | 1 | — | |
| SUOO | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Uruapan | 0 | 1 | — |
Campeón de Campeones
Campeón de Campeones de la Tercera División was a domestic Super cup contested by two clubs: the league and cup champions of the Tercera División.
The trophy was held six editions. The inaugural edition was contested in 1969, with Querétaro crowned as the first champions. The final edition was contested in 1975, with Potros UAEM crowned as the last champions.
Six clubs won the title at least once. Querétaro, San Luis, Tecnológico de Celaya, Tlalnepantla, Tecos and Potros UAEM were the most successful clubs with one title each.
Performances
| Rank | Club | Titles | Runners-up | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Querétaro | 1 | 0 | 1969 |
| San Luis | 1 | 0 | 19701 | |
| Tecnológico de Celaya | 1 | 0 | 1971 | |
| Tlalnepantla | 1 | 0 | 1972 | |
| Tecos | 1 | 0 | 1973 | |
| Potros UAEM | 1 | 0 | 19751 | |
| 7 | Naucalpan | 0 | 1 | — |
| Lobos de Querétaro | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Orizaba | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Tapatío | 0 | 1 | — |
- Notes
- Automatic winners of the trophy for winning the season's league and cup tournament.
See also
References
- ↑ "Temporada 2022-23. Reglamento de Competencia" (PDF). Liga TDP (in Spanish). 18 August 2022. pp. 12–13. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ↑ "Temporada 2022-23. Reglamento de Competencia" (PDF). Liga TDP (in Spanish). 18 August 2022. pp. 8–12. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ↑ "¡247 Clubes para la Temporada 2026-2027!". Liga TDP (in Spanish). 20 August 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
External links
- Tercera División de México Official Website Archived 2021-04-16 at the Wayback Machine (in Spanish)
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