Mexican second-tier clubs protest after suspension of promotion and relegation is extended
COFECE launched an investigation after owners of 18 top-flight clubs voted to prolong the 2019 suspension of promotion and relegation, sparking protests.
Date: 15 September 2026.
Second-tier football clubs across Mexico have launched protests after the decision to keep the promotion and relegation mechanism between the first and second divisions suspended was extended, a move that has drawn scrutiny from competition authorities.
The Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) opened an official investigation amid concerns that recent actions by the Mexican Football Federation and owners of top-tier clubs could amount to restrictions on competition. The contested measure — a suspension of promotion and relegation — has been in place since 2019 and had been expected to be reinstated by 2026.
Owners' vote and growing discontent
Owners of the 18 top-flight clubs recently voted to prolong the suspension, prompting fury among second-division teams that say the decision strips them of the sporting opportunity to earn a place in the top tier. Players from several second-division clubs have joined the protests alongside club officials.
Another source of conflict are the strict licensing requirements the Mexican Football Federation imposes on clubs seeking to join the first division, particularly infrastructure criteria related to stadiums. Second-tier sides argue that the combination of an extended suspension and stringent standards effectively closes the door on promotion for many clubs.
COFECE's inquiry will examine whether the Federation's rules and the top-tier clubs' decision unduly limit competition in Mexican football. The outcome of that probe could carry sporting and legal consequences for how the league system is structured going forward.
Photo: press material from the event
