Liga Premier de México
 | |
| Organising body | Federación Mexicana de Fútbol |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1950 as Segunda División de México |
| Country | Mexico |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Number of clubs | 48 (Primera Premier, Premier A and Premier B) |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | Liga de Expansión MX |
| Relegation to | Liga TDP |
| Domestic cup | Copa Conecta |
| Current champions | Deportiva Venados (1st title) |
| Most championships | Zacatepec (5 titles) |
| Broadcaster(s) | AYM Sports Hi Sports Televisa[1] TVC Deportes[2] |
| Website | ligapremier.mx |
| Current: 2026–27 Primera Premier season 2026–27 Liga Premier A season 2026–27 Liga Premier B season | |
Liga Premier is a professional association football league in Mexico and the third tier of the Mexican football league system. Formerly known as Segunda División de México (1950–2017). The league is contested by 48 participating clubs, organized into three subdivisions (Primera Premier with 18 clubs, Premier A with 20 clubs and Premier B with 10 clubs). The season consists of an annual tournament, and the champions are decided by a final knockout phase in each subdivision. The winners of Primera Premier are crowned Liga Premier champions, the winners of Premier A and Premier B are the secondary champions and aspire to participate in the major subdivision.
The league has held 101 editions. The inaugural edition was the 1950–51 season, with Zacatepec crowned as the first champions.
From 1950 to 1994, it was the second tier of Mexican football. Premier A, Premier B clubs and teams affiliated with clubs from the highest levels, which are known as "filiales" are not eligible for promotion.
Sixty-six clubs have won the title at least once. Zacatepec is the most successful club with five titles, Irapuato, Tampico Madero and Universidad del Fútbol with four titles each, Loros UdeC, Atlas, Durango and Pachuca Juniors with three titles each.
History
Segunda División de México (1950–2017)
Founded in 1950 as the second level division, it was one of the three divisions originally created for the Mexican football league system, along with the Primera División and Tercera División. The inaugural season had seven founding clubs: Irapuato, Morelia, Pachuca, Querétaro, Toluca, Zacatepec and Zamora. The champions of the 1993–94 Segunda División season was the last to be promoted to the Primera División. In 1994–95 season, the FMF created the Primera División "A" as an intermediate league[3] with 15 clubs from the Segunda División, and all other clubs remained in the league as the new third level division of Mexican football. Each season divided into groups by geographic location, with the matches predominantly among the clubs from the same group.
From 1994, it became the third 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, which was later abolished in 2019. However, it continued as the third level, after the creation of the Liga de Expansión MX in 2020 as the new intermediate league. Two short tournaments were played during two periods (1997–2018, 2021–2023), and also the 2024–25 season.
In 2008, the FMF, with the approval of the chairmen of the clubs in the second and third levels, change the competition format dividing the league into two subdivisions (Liga Premier de Ascenso and Liga de Nuevos Talentos). The champions could earn promotion to Primera División "A", provided their stadium and financial stability met the licensing requirements of the second level division. From 2011 to 2016, no clubs were relegated to Liga Premier, promotion still occurred during these years provided the club was licensed to participate. In June 2016, Ascenso MX announced they would resume relegating clubs. Since that year only Loros UdeC in 2017 and Murciélagos in 2018 were relegated from the Ascenso MX.
Liga Premier (2017–present)
In June 2017, the league announced its rebranding as Liga Premier; its two subdivisions were also rebranded as Serie A and Serie B. In Serie A, clubs with the best infrastructure could continue to participate, while Serie B would be for clubs in sporting and economic development.[4]
In 2020, the Ascenso MX was replaced by Liga de Expansión MX, two clubs from the Segunda División were invited (Tepatitlán and Tlaxcala), both clubs won their promotion but were rejected in the second level for not meeting the requirements to participate. Since that year, the requirements to be admitted to the second level have been tightened, only three clubs were promoted in the following years, Durango in 2022, Jaiba Brava in 2024, Irapuato in 2025.
In 2026 the league was divided into three branches with the introduction of the Primera Premier, which included the 18 Serie A teams best positioned to be promoted to the Liga de Expansión. Meanwhile, Serie A became an intermediate league, and Serie B remained as a category for developing teams.[5]
Promotion and relegation would be formalized between the leagues. Primera Premier would promote one club to Liga de Expansión MX.[4] Additionally, one Serie A club could promote to Primera Premier and one club would be promoted from Premier B to Premier A each year.[6] Four clubs would be promoted from Liga TDP provided they meet the Serie requirements of Article 57.[7]
Competition format
Regular phase
One tournament is played per season, throughout the FIFA's world footballing calendar, the 48 clubs are divided into three subdivisions (Primera Premier, Premier A and Premier B). Primera Premier includes clubs with the best economic and sporting infraestructure to compete for promotion to Liga de Expansión MX. It has 18 participating clubs.[8]
Premier A includes clubs of medium level and infrastructure that can aspire to promotion in the medium term. It has 20 participating clubs.
Premier B includes developing clubs with less infrastructure, but committed to improving in order to aspire to participate in Premier A. It has 10 participating clubs in a single group.
The teams known as "filiales" also participate, which are the reserve teams affiliated with clubs at higher levels (Liga MX and Liga de Expansión MX). These clubs are not eligible for promotion, however, they qualify for its own final knockout phase for the affiliated teams title, known as Torneo Talento Premier Filiales.
Final phase
The final phase of Primera Premier and Premier A consists of eight clubs, the top four clubs from each group for the final knockout phase. The Primera Premier champions are crowned officially as the Liga Premier champions, and also will be eligible to participate in a certification audit for obtain the promotion to Liga de Expansión MX, provided that the club meets the requirements for the stadium and financial stability.
The final phase of Premier B consists of four clubs, the four highest-placed from the group of ten qualify for the final knockout phase. The Premier B champions cannot be promoted to Liga de Expansión MX, but they can participate in Premier A depending on improvements to their infrastructure.
Starting with the 2026–27 season, a single play–off stage, will be held for reserves teams, regardless of whether they compete in Premier A or Premier B, featuring the top two reserves teams from both branches; they will play semifinals and a final to determine the champion among this type of clubs. This trophy is named Torneo Talento Premier Filiales.[9]
Participating clubs
2026–27 season
The 2026–27 Primera Premier season has the following 18 participating clubs.[10]
| Primera Premier clubs | |
|---|---|
| Group I | Group II |
The 2026–27 Liga Premier A season has the following 20 participating clubs.[10]
| Premier A clubs | |
|---|---|
| Group I | Group II |
The 2026–27 Liga Premier B season has the following 10 participating clubs.[10]
| Premier B clubs |
|---|
|
| On hiatus |
|---|
Performances
- Notes
- Clubs currently in Liga MX.
- Clubs currently in Liga de Expansión MX.
- Clubs currently in Liga TDP.
- Clubs currently on hiatus.
- Defunct clubs.
Premier B
| Rank | Club | Titles | Runners-up | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Correcaminos UAT B | 3 | 1 | Ape–2009, Ape–2015, Ape–2016 |
| Aguacateros CDU | 3 | 0 | Ape–2021, Cla–2022, 2023–24 | |
| 3 | UAE de Hidalgo | 2 | 1 | Ape–2008, Bic–2010 |
| Académicos/Atlas B | 2 | 1 | Cla–2012, Ape–2012 | |
| Santiago | 2 | 0 | Ape–2024, Cla–2025 | |
| Yalmakán | 2 | 0 | Cla–2017, Ape–2017 | |
| 7 | América Coapa | 1 | 2 | Cla–2009 |
| Calor | 1 | 2 | Ape–2022 | |
| Alebrijes B | 1 | 2 | Cla–2023 | |
| Durango | 1 | 1 | Cla–2013 | |
| Pioneros de Cancún | 1 | 1 | Ape–2013 | |
| Selva Cañera | 1 | 1 | Cla–2014 | |
| Real Zamora | 1 | 1 | Cla–2016 | |
| Artesanos Metepec | 1 | 1 | 2025–26 | |
| Cachorros UANL | 1 | 0 | Ind–2010 | |
| Cachorros de León | 1 | 0 | Rev–2011 | |
| Estudiantes Tecos B | 1 | 0 | Ape–2011 | |
| Mineros de Fresnillo | 1 | 0 | Ape–2014 | |
| Sahuayo | 1 | 0 | Cla–2015 | |
| Orizaba | 1 | 0 | Cla–2018 | |
| Cañoneros | 1 | 0 | 2018–19 | |
| 22 | Santos de Soledad/Atlético San Luis B | 0 | 3 | — |
| Alto Rendimiento Tuzo | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Alacranes B | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Pumas Naucalpan | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Sporting Canamy | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Lobos Prepa | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Tlaxcala | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Leones Negros UdeG B | 0 | 1 | — | |
| CAFESSA | 0 | 1 | — | |
| T'HÓ Mayas | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Ayense | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Atlético Pachuca | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Racing | 0 | 1 | – |
Cup tournament
Copa de la Liga Premier de Ascenso was a domestic cup tournament for clubs in the Liga Premier. Formerly known as Copa México de la Segunda División (1950–1964, 1970–1972, 1995–96) and Copa Presidente de la Segunda División (1964–1970).
The tournament was held 27 editions. The inaugural edition was the 1950–51 season, with Irapuato crowned as the first champions. The final edition was the Clausura 2015 tournament, with Tecos crowned as the last champions.
Twenty clubs won the title at least once. Poza Rica was the most successful club with five titles, Irapuato with three titles and Pachuca with two titles.
Performances
| Rank | Club | Titles | Runners-up | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poza Rica | 5 | 1 | 1958–59, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1964–65, 1967–68 |
| 2 | Irapuato | 3 | 2 | 1950–51, 1952–53, 1953–54 |
| 3 | Pachuca | 2 | 0 | 1963–64, 1965–66 |
| 4 | Laguna | 1 | 3 | 1954–55 |
| Morelia | 1 | 1 | 1955–56 | |
| Zacatepec | 1 | 1 | 1966–67 | |
| Unión de Curtidores | 1 | 1 | 1970–71 | |
| Cruz Azul Jasso | 1 | 1 | Ape–2013 | |
| La Concepción | 1 | 0 | 1951–52 | |
| San Sebastián | 1 | 0 | 1956–57 | |
| Nacional | 1 | 0 | 1957–58 | |
| Texcoco | 1 | 0 | 1959–60 | |
| Refinería Madero | 1 | 0 | 1961–62 | |
| Torreón | 1 | 0 | 1968–69 | |
| Zamora | 1 | 0 | 1969–70 | |
| Naucalpan | 1 | 0 | 1971–72 | |
| Chivas Rayadas | 1 | 0 | 1995–96 | |
| Indios UACJ | 1 | 0 | Cla–2014 | |
| Murciélagos | 1 | 0 | Ape–2015 | |
| Tecos | 1 | 0 | Cla–2015 | |
| 21 | Atlas | 0 | 2 | — |
| Tampico | 0 | 2 | — | |
| Tepic | 0 | 2 | — | |
| Toluca | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Moctezuma | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Politécnico | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Monterrey | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Pumas UNAM | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Orizaba | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Puebla | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Celaya | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Salamanca | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Ocelotes UNACH | 0 | 1 | — | |
| Gallos Blancos | 0 | 1 | — |
Campeón de Campeones
Campeón de Campeones de la Liga Premier was a domestic Super cup contested by two clubs: the Liga Premier champions of the Apertura and Clausura tournaments. Formerly known as Campeón de Campeones de la Segunda División (1953–1972, 1995–2017), it was initially a Super cup between the league and cup champions of the Segunda División until 1996.
The trophy was held 44 editions. The inaugural edition was contested in 1953, with Toluca crowned as the first champions. The final edition was contested in 2025, with Aguacateros de Peribán crowned as the last champions.
Thirty-seven clubs won the title at least once. Pachuca Juniors was the most successful club with three titles, Poza Rica, Zacatepec, Zamora, Ciudad Madero and Durango with two titles each.
Performances
- Notes
- Automatic winners of the trophy and promotion for winning both league tournaments of the season.
- Automatic winners of the trophy for winning the season's league and cup tournament.
See also
References
- ↑ Includes Adrenalina Sports Network
- ↑ includes TVC Deportes 2
- ↑ Between 2009 and 2011 the league was named Liga de Ascenso.
- 1 2 "Segunda División se convierte en Liga Premier". esto.com.mx. June 15, 2017.
- ↑ "Un gran cambio en el futbol mexicano: La FMF podría tener una nueva división para la siguiente temporada". Esto (in Spanish). 8 June 2026. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
- ↑ Reglamento de Competencia (PDF), Liga Premier, Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación. Promotion/relegation between leagues B is covered in Section M on pages 28-29 in Articles 61-63.
- ↑ Reglamento de Competencia (PDF), Liga Premier, Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación, p. 26
- ↑ "¡LA REESTRUCTURACIÓN VA!". Liga Premier Magazine (in Spanish). 1 August 2026. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
- ↑ "TORNEO TALENTO PREMIER FILIALES". Liga Premier Magazine (in Spanish). 16 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "UNA NUEVA ERA COMIENZA EN LIGA PREMIER". Liga Premier FMF on X (in Spanish). 10 August 2026. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ "GORILAS SE MUDA A LEÓN". Liga Premier Magazine (in Spanish). 26 June 2026. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ascendería una franquicia de Premier". El Heraldo León (in Spanish). 24 June 2026. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
External links
- Official website (in Spanish)
- Magazine page (in Spanish)
- League information (in English)
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