So, you’re trying to figure out what time does the chivas play because, let’s be honest, trying to track down Liga MX kickoff times feels like a part-time job. Between the constant shifting of TV rights, the "Friday Night Football" experiments, and the random Sunday noon starts at the Estadio Akron, it's easy to miss the opening whistle. Chivas de Guadalajara isn't just a team; it's a massive cultural machine, and when they take the pitch, everything stops. But if you don't know the exact time, you're stuck watching the highlights on social media while your group chat spoils the score.
Finding the Kickoff: The Current Schedule
Right now, the schedule depends entirely on whether they are playing at home in Zapopan or traveling to a hostile environment like the Azteca or the Volcán. For the Clausura 2026 season, Chivas has leaned heavily into their traditional Saturday evening slots. Most home games at the Estadio Akron are scheduled for 7:00 PM or 9:00 PM Central Time (CT). However, don't just take that as gospel. Televisa and Amazon Prime (who now holds significant broadcasting rights for the Rebaño Sagrado) often tweak these times by 10 or 15 minutes to accommodate pre-game shows or advertising blocks.
If you're looking for the very next match, you need to check the official Liga MX app or the Chivas website about 48 hours before the game. Why? Because the league is notorious for last-minute adjustments due to weather or "security concerns." It's annoying. It’s basically a tradition at this point.
Time Zone Math is the Enemy
One thing that kills fans in the U.S. is the time zone conversion. If the game is at 7:00 PM in Guadalajara, that’s 5:00 PM in Los Angeles (PT) and 8:00 PM in New York (ET). If you’re in Chicago, you’re on the same clock as Mexico City and Guadalajara, which makes life a lot easier. But honestly, if you're a fan living in Europe trying to catch a Clásico Nacional against América, you're looking at a 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM start time. It’s brutal. Hardcore fans do it anyway. They drink a lot of coffee.
Why the Schedule Always Seems to Change
Television dictates everything. In the old days, Chivas played at noon on Sundays. It was a classic look—the sun beating down, the red and white stripes glowing. Fans hated the heat, but the tradition was there. Nowadays, those noon games are mostly gone for the first team, reserved for the Cantera or the women's team, Chivas Femenil.
The move to Saturday nights was purely about "Prime Time" ratings. Advertisers want you on the couch with a beer and a plate of tacos when the sun goes down. Because Chivas is the only team that plays with 100% Mexican players, their viewership is consistently the highest in the league. This means the league often puts them in the "showcase" slot. If there’s a big double-header on TV, Chivas will likely be the second game, meaning a 9:05 PM kickoff is very common.
The Amazon Prime Factor
We have to talk about how people actually watch the games now. The shift from traditional cable to streaming has changed how we answer the question of what time does the chivas play. With the recent deal involving Amazon Prime Video, the "kickoff time" listed on your TV guide might actually be the start of the stream, with the actual ball movement happening 15 minutes later.
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- Pro Tip: Open the app 10 minutes early.
- The Reality: If you wait until exactly 7:00 PM, you might miss a goal.
- The Lag: Remember that streaming has a 30-second delay compared to radio or live score apps. Turn off your notifications if you don't want your phone to buzz "GOAL" before you see the ball hit the net.
What Time Does the Chivas Play During the Liguilla?
When the playoffs (Liguilla) hit, all bets are off. The league decides these times on the Monday before the games. Typically, Chivas will play their home leg on a Thursday or Saturday. The away leg will be Wednesday or Sunday. The times for these are almost always late—around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM CT.
The reason for the late starts during the Liguilla is simple: money. The higher the stakes, the more the networks want to squeeze every drop of viewership out of the Mexican-American market. If you’re waiting to hear about a playoff time, don't expect an answer until the Monday morning press conference from the FMF (Federación Mexicana de Fútbol).
Common Misconceptions About the Chivas Schedule
People often think that because they are "Mexico's Team," they always play at the same time. Nope. That's a myth. Club América has a very consistent Saturday 5:00 PM slot at the Azteca, but Chivas is much more fluid.
Another big mistake? Assuming the "Leagues Cup" follows Liga MX timing. When Chivas plays MLS teams in the summer, the games follow the local time of the U.S. stadium. If they are playing in Miami, it's Eastern Time. If they're in Seattle, it's Pacific. You have to be careful. I’ve seen people miss entire halves because they assumed the game was on "Mexico time."
Checking the Source
Don't trust random Twitter (X) accounts with three followers. Go to the source.
- LigaMX.net: This is the official league site. If it says 19:00, it means 7:00 PM.
- Chivas Official App: They send push notifications when the lineup is announced, usually an hour before kickoff.
- Google Scoreboard: Honestly, just typing "Chivas" into Google gives you a countdown timer that is usually 99% accurate.
Practical Steps for the Next Match
Stop guessing and start prepping. If you want to make sure you never miss a game, do these three things right now:
First, sync the Chivas schedule to your digital calendar. Most official team sites offer a "Sync to Calendar" button that automatically updates when the league moves a game from Saturday to Sunday. It takes two minutes and saves hours of frustration.
Second, account for the "Pre-Game" fluff. If the broadcast starts at 6:30 PM, the actual kickoff is likely 6:45 PM or 7:00 PM. Use that time to get your snacks ready. There is nothing worse than the whistle blowing while you're still heating up the salsa.
Third, verify the channel. In the U.S., rights are split between Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock for home games, while away games could be on TUDN or ViX. Knowing the time doesn't help if you don't have the right app open. Check the broadcast listing at least four hours before the game so you aren't scrambling to reset your password while the players are shaking hands at midfield.
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Keep an eye on the official social media handles (@Chivas) on match day. They always post a "Match Day" graphic that explicitly states the kickoff time for multiple time zones. That graphic is the gold standard for accuracy. Save it to your phone. Check it twice. Enjoy the game.