In Mexico, Liga de Expansion MX, a second-division football competition, still plays an essential part in the development of the Mexican football game. The league was founded in 2020 as the Mexican Football Federation attempted to stabilise itself as part of the Stabilisation Project, to replace the old Ascenso MX league, and to increase the financial stability and competitiveness of clubs in the lower divisions.
Although promotion and relegation with Liga MX is currently not in effect until 2026, the Liga de Expansión MX is extremely competitive and attracts a lot of attention from fans, scouts, and media.
By the year 2025, the league will have altered the club composition and format, and will continue to transform both in the field and elsewhere. In this guide, we will go over the latest game results, fixture list, team analysis, format changes and so on.
No matter whether you are a hardcore fan or a new member of the club, this summarising overview will assist you in being aware of the most crucial novelties of the 2025 Liga de Expansion MX edition.
Overview of the League Structure
Liga de Expansion, MX is divided into two seasonal tourneys, Apertura (July to December) and Clausura (January to May). During the regular season, a team will play around 15 games in a tournament, and the best teams proceed to the Liguilla (the playoffs). Although the league is this time run without having promotion or relegation, it continues to be an essential proving ground for player development, tactical growth and club infrastructure.
By 2025, the league will consist of 15 teams playing, some of which are core clubs, and some are guest franchises. Other recent changes have involved teams being temporarily admitted, newly promoted teams like Irapuato, and franchise reorganisation or ownership issues like Celaya FC and Cimarrones de Sonora. Moreover, for safety reasons, Dorados de Sinaloa is playing their home games at the moment in Tijuana instead of Culiacán.
Administration changes determine the very shape of competition as well as fan involvement and the club’s future events.
Participating Teams in 2025
As of the Apertura 2025 season, the following clubs are competing in Liga de Expansión MX:
Atlante
Tapatío
Atlético Morelia
Cancún FC
Mineros de Zacatecas
Leones Negros UdeG
Alebrijes de Oaxaca
Venados FC
Tepatitlán FC
Tlaxcala FC
Correcaminos UAT
CA La Paz
Dorados de Sinaloa (playing in Tijuana)
Jaiba Brava (Tampico Madero, acting as a guest club)
Irapuato (acting as a guest club from Liga Premier)
Celaya FC and Cimarrones de Sonora are not participating in this season due to franchise inactivity.
2025 Season Format
Each of the two tournaments in the year (Apertura and Clausura) follows a consistent structure:
- Regular Season: Every team plays each other once, totalling approximately 15 matches.
- Play-In Phase: Teams ranked 5th through 12th compete for the remaining quarterfinal spots.
- Playoffs (Liguilla): The top four teams from the regular season enter directly into the quarterfinals. Winners progress to the semifinals and then finals.
- Champion Determined: One champion is crowned per tournament.
Since promotion to Liga MX is currently paused, the focus remains on performance, club development, and fan engagement rather than league elevation.
Recap of Clausura 2025
The Clausura 2025 tournament concluded in May, with Leones Negros UdeG emerging as the season champions. Their consistent performance throughout the season saw them top the regular season table and claim playoff victories against high-level competition.
Key highlights from Clausura 2025 include:
Leones Negros: Strong defensive and attacking play helped secure their first title in the modern Expansión era.
Atlante and Tepatitlán: Both clubs maintained top-six finishes, showcasing depth and disciplined tactics.
Dorados: Despite challenges with their home venue, they remained competitive throughout the season.
Venados and Cancún: Continued steady development and positioned themselves as dark horses in the playoffs.
Leones Negros’ championship victory brought renewed attention to the league and highlighted the importance of strategic investment in youth and infrastructure.
Start of Apertura 2025
The Apertura 2025 season began in July with high anticipation. In the opening weeks of August, several competitive matches have already set the stage for a dynamic tournament.
Notable Results (August 2025)
Atlante 1–1 Tepatitlán: A tightly contested match between two playoff hopefuls.
Tampico Madero 1–0 Leones Negros: An impressive win for the guest club over the reigning champions.
Cancún 1–0 Dorados: A strong home performance from Cancún FC.
Tapatío 2–0 CA La Paz: Tapatío demonstrated dominance and form.
These matches reflect the competitive balance in the league and hint at future title contenders.
Upcoming Fixtures (August 2025)
Looking ahead to mid-August, these matches are on the schedule:
Mineros de Zacatecas vs Dorados de Sinaloa
Venados FC vs Tapatío
Correcaminos UAT vs CA La Paz
Atlético Morelia vs Alebrijes de Oaxaca
Tepatitlán FC vs Tampico Madero
Tlaxcala FC vs Irapuato
These fixtures will be pivotal in shaping the early standings of the Apertura 2025 campaign. Several of these teams are eyeing top-four finishes, and the pressure to secure playoff seeding starts early.
Standings and Table Dynamics
After the first couple of rounds:
Irapuato, Tampico Madero, and Cancún have started strong, picking up valuable early wins.
Atlante, Morelia, and Tepatitlán sit in mid-table with mixed results.
Dorados and Leones Negros, despite recent success, are looking to bounce back after early setbacks.
It’s too early to conclude, but patterns are beginning to form. The top eight teams will remain in contention for playoff spots, while others battle to stay in the mid-table.
Fan Attendance and Stadiums
Stadium attendance in Liga de Expansión MX varies by region and club, but it remains a key part of the matchday experience. Larger clubs like UdeG, Tapatío, and Atlante draw significant crowds, often surpassing 10,000 fans for key fixtures. Smaller venues, like those in Tlaxcala and Tepatitlán, create intimate but passionate atmospheres.
On average:
League-wide average attendance: Around 4,500 to 5,000 fans per game.
Highest recorded attendance (Clausura 2025): Close to 20,000 at select matches in Guadalajara and Morelia.
Lowest average attendance: Often seen with newer guest clubs or relocated teams.
Fans remain the heartbeat of the league, and regional rivalries (such as Atlante vs Cancún or Morelia vs Leones Negros) consistently draw high engagement.
Development and League Goals
Liga de Expansión MX’s main mission is sustainability and player development. Without promotion to Liga MX, the league encourages:
Financial responsibility among clubs
Youth development and domestic player usage
Expansion into underrepresented football regions
Strengthening of club academies and infrastructure
These goals support long-term growth in Mexican football and ensure that when promotion returns, clubs will be ready both on and off the pitch.
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Conclusion
Liga de Expansión MX remains one of the most dynamic and strategic leagues in Latin American football. Although promotion to Liga MX is currently paused, the league delivers high-level competition, rising stars, and passionate fan bases across Mexico. The 2025 season continues that tradition, with key clubs like Leones Negros, Atlante, and Tampico Madero battling it out for supremacy in the Apertura tournament.
From early standout matches to promising new teams like Irapuato entering the scene, Liga de Expansión MX is evolving every week. Fans can expect a tightly contested playoff race, developing storylines, and young talent taking the spotlight. Whether you follow a specific club or simply enjoy quality football, this league offers something meaningful.
Stay tuned as the 2025 Apertura progresses and the league continues shaping the future of Mexican football.
FAQs
What is the current format of Liga de Expansión MX games?
The league operates with two tournaments per season: Apertura and Clausura. Each team plays approximately 15 matches in the regular season, followed by playoffs for the top-performing clubs. The top four teams qualify directly for the quarterfinals, while others participate in a play-in round. There is currently no promotion to Liga MX.
Which teams are in the Liga de Expansión MX for the 2025 season?
Fifteen teams are active in 2025, including Atlante, Tapatío, Morelia, Cancún, Venados, Leones Negros, Tepatitlán, Tlaxcala, Dorados, Tampico Madero, Irapuato, Zacatecas, Alebrijes de Oaxaca, CA La Paz, and Correcaminos. Celaya and Cimarrones are on hiatus.
Is promotion to Liga MX possible in 2025?
No. The current stabilisation period suspends promotion and relegation between Liga MX and Liga de Expansión MX until at least 2026. The league’s focus is on financial and organisational stability.
Where can fans watch Liga de Expansión MX games?
Matches are typically broadcast via national sports channels, local networks, and some online platforms. Additionally, fans can follow updates through live score services and apps that track standings, schedules, and results.
Why are some teams like Dorados not playing in their home city?
Due to safety concerns in cities like Culiacán, some clubs—like Dorados de Sinaloa—are temporarily hosting home matches in alternate locations, such as Tijuana. This ensures player and fan safety while maintaining the integrity of the season.