Mexican Senate advances bill to restore Liga MX promotion and relegation

Mexico's Senate opened a roundtable on September 21, 2026, on restoring promotion and relegation in Liga MX, the country's top soccer league. Sen. Clemente Castañeda of Movimiento Ciudadano said a bill would be introduced the next day amending the Ley General de Cultura Física y Deporte so national sports associations must observe sporting merit—in short, writing promotion and relegation into Mexican law. Morena's Ignacio Mier backs the proposal. Liga MX suspended the system in April 2020 as a five-year COVID pause promised to end in 2025, then formally eliminated it in July 2026 for the 2026-27 season. Second-division Expansión clubs lost a 2025 Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal seeking restoration. Player Roberto Galán told the forum restoration is "completely necessary," or else Mexico promotes "a completely mediocre competition system," citing Liga MX sides still hopeful after winless starts and Expansión players who cannot rise unless someone pays 80 or 90 million for a First Division spot. He said salaries fell 80% over six years. FMF commissioner Mikel Arriola and Liga MX president Francisco Iturbide did not attend. The Mexican Football Federation has said economic conditions for reinstatement do not yet exist. Formal introduction was expected September 22, 2026.