26 Aug 2026
How the Liga MX Play-In works
The Liga MX Play-In determines the final two places in the quarter-finals. Find out which teams take part, how the matches work and how the qualifiers enter the Liguilla.
Who plays in the Play-In
At the end of the Apertura or Clausura regular season, the top six teams advance directly to the Liguilla quarter-finals. The teams finishing between seventh and 10th compete in the Play-In for the two remaining places.
How the matches work
Seventh plays eighth, while ninth faces 10th. The matches are one-off fixtures, with the higher-placed team hosting. The winner of seventh versus eighth secures the seventh quarter-final place.
The battle for the eighth place
The loser of the match between seventh and eighth faces the winner of ninth versus 10th. The winner of this second match takes the eighth Liguilla place. Therefore, the team finishing ninth or 10th can still qualify, but must win two matches.
What happens in a draw
If the match is level after 90 minutes, the place is decided on penalties. The Play-In does not usually include extra time. The advantage of the better regular-season record comes through home advantage, not automatic qualification in the event of a draw.
How the quarter-finals are decided
After the Play-In, the eight qualifiers are ranked by their regular-season record. First faces eighth, second meets seventh, third plays sixth and fourth takes on fifth. The quarter-finals are played over two legs, with the higher-placed team holding the advantage if the aggregate score is level, in accordance with the tournament regulations.
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Analysis: PK Sport · our methodology
Analysis based on public data and market signals. For analysis only — not betting advice.