Honestly, looking back at the calendario de la Liga MX 2024, it felt like a fever dream for most fans. We started the year wondering if Club América could actually maintain their grip on the trophy and ended it witnessing something that literally had never happened in the history of short tournaments. It wasn't just about the games; it was the chaos of the scheduling, the stadium closures, and that weird month-long break for the Leagues Cup that always throws everyone off their rhythm.
The year was split, as always, into two halves: the Clausura 2024 and the Apertura 2024. But 2024 was special. It was the year "La Bomba" and the league organizers tried to cram in as much football as humanly possible before the World Cup renovations started eating up our legendary venues.
The Clausura 2024: Where It All Began
The action kicked off on Friday, January 12. Querétaro and Toluca were the ones to break the ice at the Estadio Corregidora. It was a cold night, but the goals started flowing early. Most people were looking at América, though. They were the defending champs, and their schedule looked grueling from the jump.
If you were following the calendario de la Liga MX 2024 closely back then, you’ll remember the big dates. The Clásico Nacional between Chivas and América happened on March 16. It was a Week 12 clash that ended in a somewhat frustrating 0-0 draw at the Estadio Akron, but the tension was peak. Meanwhile, the Clásico Regio—Monterrey vs. Tigres—didn't hit until April 13. That Week 15 game was basically a preview of the high-stakes Liguilla drama we'd see later.
The regular season for the Clausura ended on April 28. By then, the table was set. América finished top of the pile with 35 points, followed closely by Cruz Azul. The Liguilla was a bloodbath. We saw Pachuca knock out Pumas in the Play-in, only to get eliminated by América in a heart-stopping quarterfinal that ended 2-2 on aggregate (América moved on because of their higher table position).
The final? A rematch of the 2013 classic. América vs. Cruz Azul. On May 26, 2024, Henry Martín hammered home a penalty in the second leg at the Azteca to secure the "Bicampeonato." Cruz Azul fans were devastated, but the "Azul crema" side of Mexico City was basically in a state of permanent party.
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The Summer Interruption and the Apertura Shift
Then came the weird part. After the Clausura final, the league took a breather—but not for long. The calendario de la Liga MX 2024 for the second half of the year, the Apertura, was heavily influenced by the Leagues Cup.
The Apertura 2024 started early, on July 5, to make room for the month-long tournament in the U.S. against MLS teams. It’s a polarizing tournament, let’s be real. Some fans love the international flavor; others hate that it kills the momentum of the domestic season. After July 21, Liga MX basically went on hiatus until late August.
When the local league finally returned, the landscape had changed. The Estadio Azteca was officially closing its doors for FIFA World Cup 2026 renovations. This meant Club América had to pack their bags and move to the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes—the old Estadio Azul. It was a weird sight seeing the reigning champs playing in such a cramped, historic venue, but it added a sort of "old school" grit to their home games.
Key Dates for the Apertura 2024 Regular Season:
- August 31: The Clásico Joven (América vs. Cruz Azul) where La Máquina finally got some revenge with a dominant 4-1 win.
- September 14: The Clásico Nacional. América beat Chivas 1-0 in a game that felt like a turning point for both clubs.
- October 19: Clásico Regio time. Monterrey took down Tigres 4-2 in a game that had some of the highest attendance of the year.
The Historic Liguilla and the "Tricampeonato"
By the time November rolled around, the calendario de la Liga MX 2024 was reaching its boiling point. Cruz Azul was the absolute juggernaut of the Apertura, breaking the all-time points record for a 17-game season with a massive 42 points. They looked invincible.
América, on the other hand, struggled. They finished 8th and had to go through the Play-in. They barely survived a penalty shootout against Tijuana on November 21 just to get into the quarterfinals. Nobody—honestly, nobody—thought they had enough gas left in the tank to go all the way.
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But this is Liga MX. Logic doesn't live here.
The quarterfinals were a showcase of "Liguilla logic." América dismantled Toluca 4-0 on aggregate. Monterrey knocked out Pumas in a wild 6-3 aggregate thriller. Then came the semifinals in early December. América faced their biggest rivals, Cruz Azul, in a matchup that felt like the actual final. They drew 0-0 in the first leg, but the second leg was a 4-3 classic that sent the Eagles to the big dance once again.
The grand finale of the calendario de la Liga MX 2024 took place on December 12 and 15. It was América vs. Monterrey. The first leg at the Ciudad de los Deportes ended 2-2. Everything came down to the "Gigante de Acero" in Monterrey. On Sunday, December 15, Richard Sánchez scored a stunner, and Luis Malagón stood on his head to keep the clean sheet.
América won 3-2 on aggregate.
They became the first-ever team in the short-tournament era (since 1996) to win three titles in a row. The "Tricampeonato" was no longer a myth. It was 2024's defining sports moment in Mexico.
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Navigating the 2024 Schedule: What We Learned
Looking back, the calendario de la Liga MX 2024 was a masterclass in endurance. Teams like Pachuca and América played an insane amount of games when you factor in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup.
If you're planning for next season or just trying to make sense of how these dates are set, keep in mind that the league usually releases the full schedule about a month before the tournament starts. They try to balance the "Jornadas Dobles" (double-header weeks) to finish before FIFA international windows. In 2024, we had four of these double weeks in the Apertura alone (Weeks 3, 8, 13, and 16).
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
- Check the Venue: With the Azteca out of commission until 2026, always verify where "home" games are being played. Many teams are shuffling locations.
- Watch the Play-In: The format changed slightly in 2024. The 7th and 8th seeds play for one spot, while the 9th and 10th play to face the loser of the first game. It adds two extra "must-watch" nights to your calendar.
- Leagues Cup Break: Expect a 4-week gap in mid-summer (usually late July to late August). Don't plan your watch parties for Liga MX during this window; it's all about the MLS crossover.
- The Final Sunday: Mark your calendar for the second Sunday of December. Regardless of who is playing, that is almost always when the Apertura champion is crowned.
The 2024 season was exhausting, controversial, and ultimately historic. Whether you’re a die-hard Aguila celebrating the three-peat or a Cementero wondering how a record-breaking season ended in heartbreak, the calendar was the silent architect of all that drama.
Moving forward, keep an eye on official Liga MX social channels or the "FMF" app for real-time changes, as television rights often shift kickoff times at the very last minute. Stick to the dates, but stay flexible with the hours. That's the only way to survive a full year of Mexican football.