Liga MX Femenil has a new name and format for 2026 — here’s what changed

Liga MX Femenil has a new name and format for 2026 — here’s what changed When Liga MX Femenil kicks off its Apertura 2026 tournament on July 31, it will have a new name, visual identity, and competition format. Rebranded as Liga Femenil BBVA, Mexico’s top women’s soccer league is moving away from the single-table structure it has used in recent years. All 18 clubs will now be split into two groups of nine, with each team playing 14 regular-season matches instead of 17. The top four teams in each group will advance to an eight-team playoff to determine the tournament champion. League officials say these changes will reduce player workload and eliminate double matchweeks. But the shorter schedule could also affect travel costs, competitive balance, and the importance of each result. Here’s how the new format works and what to expect from the 2026/27 season. Liga MX Femenil steps into its new identity Since launching in 2017, the competition has operated under the Liga MX Femenil name, placing the women’s league within the broader Liga MX brand. The shift to Liga Femenil gives the competition a more distinct identity after nine years under its original branding. The rollout extends beyond the name. The league unveiled a redesigned logo and official anthem, while Voit returns as its match-ball provider. How the new Liga Femenil format works The new format replaces the 17-match round-robin schedule and single league table with two groups of nine clubs. Organizers formed the groups using geographic location and an Elo rating based on each team’s regular-season performance since Apertura 2020. The ranking will continue to update after every matchday. Each group is also divided into three tiers. These serve as scheduling pools rather than separate standings. Connecting the Apertura and Clausura schedules During Apertura 2026, each club will play all eight teams in its own group, plus six opponents from the other group — two from each tier. That creates a 14-match regular season and leaves three possible cross-group opponents off each club’s Apertura schedule. The same groups will carry over into Clausura 2027, with the home sites reversed for same-group matchups. Each club will also face the three cross-group teams it skipped during the Apertura, plus three repeat opponents. That structure ensures every club faces the other 17 teams at least once across the full 2026/27 season. Liga Femenil playoff structure Group A and Group B will have separate standings, with the top four clubs from each advancing to the playoffs. The quarterfinals will cross the groups, pairing each first-place team with the opposite group’s fourth-place club and each second-place team with the opposite group’s third-place club. The four quarterfinal winners will then be reseeded according to their overall regular-season performance, with first facing fourth and second facing third in the semifinals. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final will remain home-and-away series decided by aggregate score. If a quarterfinal or semifinal ends level, the higher-placed regular-season team will advance; a tied final will go to penalties. Why Liga Femenil is changing its format According to an announcement from league sponsor BBVA , officials said the overhaul is meant to reduce player workload and travel, eliminate double matchweeks, and create more room for international competitions. Under the previous calendar, teams sometimes played twice in one week, leaving less time for recovery and preparation between matches. The change also has a business rationale. League officials said the old calendar reduced the commercial value of individual games. Fewer fixtures may lower travel and matchday costs while giving the league and its broadcast partners more room to promote each matchup. The tradeoff is a less uniform regular season. Clubs will face different cross-group opponents, so some schedules may be harder than others, and certain high-profile matchups could be delayed until the Clausura. The real test will be whether the new structure reduces strain on players while delivering a competitive, compelling season for fans. Related articles from Her Football Hub: WAFCON 2026 preview: Teams, players and storylines to watch this year Salmon Bay FC wins 2026 USL W League championship on penalties Fulham preparing for next chapter as historic rise continues following season double