MX League U21 (Mexico) 2026/27

The Liga MX U21 operates as the official reserve league for Mexico’s top-flight football clubs. Founded in 2009 by the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF), it provides a competitive circuit for the youth squads of senior teams without being part of the professional pyramid. The FMF rebranded the competition from Sub-20 to Sub-21 in 2025 to align with international standards, maintaining the lineage established over a decade ago.

Eighteen clubs participate, matching the roster of the senior Liga MX. The season structure splits the year into two independent tournaments: the Apertura, running from August to November, and the Clausura, held between January and May. A single-table round-robin format ensures every team faces all opponents during the regular phase. The eight highest-ranked sides progress to the Liguilla, a knockout stage played over two legs that decides the tournament winner.

Club Guadalajara holds the record for the most titles, securing five championships, including the Guard1anes 2020 crown. Club América won the inaugural Clausura 2012 edition and added further success in 2017, 2018, and 2019. CF Pachuca claimed three titles across 2014, 2015, and 2022, while Club Tijuana and Deportivo Toluca each won once in 2016 and 2023 respectively. Club León also secured a victory in the Apertura 2013 season.

The competition remains distinct from the Liga de Expansión MX, which serves as the second-division senior league, and the Liga Premier Serie A, the third tier. Its primary function is the domestic development of under-21 players from the premier division.