Mexico's antitrust watchdog opens probe into alleged monopolistic practices in Liga MX

Antitrust investigation targets Mexican soccer's promotion system

Mexico's National Antitrust Commission (CNA) announced the launch of an ex officio investigation into potential monopolistic practices in the country's professional soccer market, according to multiple outlets reporting from Mexico City on September 14, 2026. The Investigative Authority of the CNA stated that "after analyzing events over the past few months," it "determined there is sufficient evidence to formally launch an ex-officio investigation into possible monopolistic practices within the Mexican professional soccer market." The agency emphasized that the inquiry does not predetermine guilt. The investigation file is designated IO-001-2026.

Probe centers on promotion and relegation

The investigation centers on the absence of a promotion and relegation system between Liga MX and the Liga de Expansión, Mexico's second division. Second-division teams and players have staged weeks of protests demanding the right to move up to the top flight, and several lower-tier clubs appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport last year. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) suspended promotion and relegation in 2019 under an agreement that called for restoration by 2026, but no active plans currently exist to reinstate the system. Owners of the 18 first-division clubs voted to suspend promotion and relegation for six seasons, citing a need to stabilize second-division clubs, while the FMF maintains that lower-tier teams are eligible for promotion but enforces strict operational criteria, including stadium capacity thresholds that even some top-flight clubs fail to meet.

Scope and potential penalties

The investigation order expressly refers to Article 56(XI) of the Federal Economic Competition Law, which addresses conduct that has the purpose or effect of increasing costs, hindering the productive process, or reducing the demand faced by other economic agents. The preliminary scope covers affiliation, organization, and access to professional federated football competitions and related services, suggesting the CNA may examine the rules and conditions governing clubs' access to and participation in Mexican professional football. At this stage, the CNA has not publicly identified the specific economic agents under investigation or determined that any conduct constitutes an infringement. If anti-competitive liability is established, the FMF could face fines of up to 10 percent of its annual revenue.

Implications for clubs, federations, and commercial partners

The investigation may have implications for football clubs, leagues, sports federations, club owners and investors, broadcasters, sponsors, and commercial partners involved in the organization and commercialization of Mexican professional football. To establish a relative monopolistic practice, the Investigative Authority must assess the existence of substantial market power in the relevant market and determine whether the investigated conduct has or may have anticompetitive effects. The Federal Economic Competition Law also allows for consideration of efficiencies and other economic justifications, meaning the CNA may need to distinguish between restrictions that produce anticompetitive effects and rules necessary for the legitimate organization of a professional sports competition. During the investigation, the CNA may issue requests for information and summon individuals to appear.