On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, three Liga MX playoff matches will kick off simultaneously across Mexico — an unprecedented move driven not by TV ratings, but by Mexico City Citizen Security Secretariat safety concerns. The Apertura 2025 Liguilla is set to begin with a rare triple-header, shifting the traditional weekend-only playoff model into a midweek frenzy. The decision, confirmed by Liga MX officials and corroborated by ESPN, TUDN, and SoyFútbol, reflects an unusual prioritization of public safety over broadcast convenience.
Wednesday Night Kickoffs: A New Normal
The first leg of the quarterfinals kicks off at 7:00 PM local time in Mexico City at the Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez in Ciudad Juárez, where FC Juárez hosts Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club. Just 90 minutes later, C.F. Monterrey welcomes Club América at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. The night closes with Club Tijuana taking on Tigres UANL at the Estadio Caliente — a 11:00 PM local kickoff that bleeds into Thursday morning in the U.S. Eastern Time zone."This isn’t about maximizing viewership," said Roberto Casillas, a veteran freelance writer covering Liga MX for Sports Illustrated FC. "It’s about preventing bottlenecks. When you’ve got tens of thousands of fans converging on Mexico City for a weekend of matches, the security strain becomes unsustainable. The Secretariat didn’t ask — they mandated a redistribution."
Why Club América Got a Saturday Exception
One anomaly stands out: Club América won’t play its second leg on Wednesday, but on Saturday, November 29. Why? A Junior H concert was scheduled at La Plaza México — the same venue where América’s second leg was originally slated. The Mexico City Government intervened, pushing the concert to December 15 and keeping the Sunday, November 30 date for the return leg at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes."It’s a logistical miracle," said a league spokesperson. "We had to juggle concerts, stadium availability, and national security protocols. The fact that we got all eight teams on the calendar without conflict is a win."
The Playoff Bracket: Who’s Playing Whom
The final eight, ranked by regular-season points:- Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club — 37 points
- Tigres UANL — 36 points
- Club de Fútbol Cruz Azul — 35 points
- Club América — 34 points
- C.F. Monterrey — 31 points
- C.D. Guadalajara — 29 points
- Club Tijuana — 24 points
- FC Juárez — 20 points
Matchups are set as 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5 — meaning Toluca faces Juárez, Tigres plays Tijuana, Cruz Azul meets Guadalajara, and América takes on Monterrey. The higher seeds host the second leg, giving them the advantage of playing the decisive match in front of their own fans.
The Cruz Azul Wildcard: A Christmas Final?
Here’s the twist no one saw coming: If Club de Fútbol Cruz Azul reaches the final — and they’re the favorites after winning the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup — the championship will be moved to December 25–28, 2025. Why? Because as Concacaf champions, Cruz Azul qualifies for the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which is scheduled for late December. Liga MX officials confirmed they’ve already negotiated with FIFA to delay the final if Cruz Azul advances."It’s unprecedented in modern Mexican football," noted Casillas. "But it makes sense. You don’t ask a team to choose between their domestic legacy and their international obligation. This is the new reality of global football.”
What’s Next? Semifinals and Beyond
The first legs of the semifinals are set for December 3–4, with return legs on December 6–7. The final, normally a two-leg affair, will be played on December 11 and 14 — unless Cruz Azul is involved. Broadcast rights are split across TUDN, Telemundo, ESPN, Universo, and CBSS. For example, C.D. Guadalajara vs. Cruz Azul will air live on Universo at 9:07 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 27.The Play-In round, held November 20–23, already eliminated the 9th through 12th-place teams. The Liguilla’s structure is tighter than ever — no byes, no cushion. Every goal matters.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about scheduling. It’s a sign that Mexican football is maturing — adapting to urban realities, international obligations, and fan safety in ways previously ignored. The fact that a security agency could override traditional broadcast patterns and win? That’s a power shift. And for fans? It means more midweek excitement, fewer weekend traffic nightmares, and a chance to see history — including a possible Christmas Eve final.Frequently Asked Questions
Why are three matches being played on Wednesday night?
The Mexico City Citizen Security Secretariat requested the unusual scheduling to reduce large-scale crowd movements in the capital. With multiple matches traditionally clustered on weekends, traffic, public transit strain, and security risks became unmanageable. Spreading matches across Wednesday and Thursday eases pressure on infrastructure and emergency services.
What happens if Cruz Azul reaches the final?
If Club de Fútbol Cruz Azul advances to the Apertura 2025 final, the championship will be postponed to December 25–28, 2025, to accommodate their participation in the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. This is a rare exception, made possible through direct negotiations between Liga MX and FIFA — the first time a domestic final has been moved for an international obligation.
Why was Club América’s second leg moved to Saturday?
A Junior H concert was originally scheduled at La Plaza México on November 29 — the same day América’s second leg was set. The Mexico City Government intervened, rescheduling the concert to December 15 and keeping América’s match on Sunday, November 30. This allowed both events to occur without conflict, preserving fan access to both.
Which teams have home-field advantage in the second leg?
The higher-seeded teams host the second leg: Toluca (1st) hosts Juárez (8th), Tigres (2nd) hosts Tijuana (7th), Cruz Azul (3rd) hosts Guadalajara (6th), and América (4th) hosts Monterrey (5th). Home-field advantage is critical — teams with the better regular-season record get the final match at their own stadium, often deciding the outcome.
Where can I watch the Liguilla matches in the U.S.?
All matches are broadcast across TUDN, Telemundo, ESPN, Universo, and CBSS. For example, Guadalajara vs. Cruz Azul airs live on Universo at 9:07 p.m. ET on November 27. Match-specific channels are listed in official Liga MX schedules, and streaming is available via ViX and ESPN+ depending on regional rights.
Is this scheduling change permanent?
Liga MX has not confirmed if this model will continue beyond Apertura 2025. However, early feedback from fans and security officials has been positive. If crowd control improves and TV ratings remain stable, midweek playoff windows could become standard — especially as more international obligations impact the calendar.
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