You’re staring at the clock, the jersey is on, and the fridge is stocked, but there’s that nagging feeling you’ve got the kickoff time wrong. It happens. Following Las Águilas isn’t always as straightforward as checking a static calendar, especially with the 2026 Clausura schedule shuffling games around to accommodate the upcoming World Cup. If you are trying to figure out what time does Club America play, you aren't just looking for a number; you’re looking for the specific TV window, the time zone conversion, and whether the game moved to a Sunday for some random broadcasting reason.
Honestly, the schedule this year is a bit of a whirlwind. Between the "home" games actually being played at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes (while the Azteca gets its facelift) and the mid-week double headers, missing a kickoff is easier than ever.
Upcoming Schedule: When Does Club America Play Next?
The most immediate answer you're looking for is right here. Club America hits the pitch again on Sunday, January 18, 2026, against Pachuca. This is a Matchday 3 clash that carries a lot of weight after the early-season jitters.
The ball gets rolling at 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM local Mexico City time).
If you're on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 5:00 PM PT start. It’s a classic Sunday night slot for Liga MX, usually meaning the game will be the centerpiece of the weekend's coverage. After that, things shift back to the capital. On Saturday, January 31, 2026, America hosts Necaxa. That one is a later start, scheduled for 10:00 PM ET.
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Why the late jump? Liga MX loves those "Saturday Night Football" vibes for the big city teams. It gives fans enough time to get through the brutal Mexico City traffic and get into their seats.
Where to Catch the Action (TV and Streaming)
Knowing the time is only half the battle; you actually have to find the right channel. In the U.S., the rights are basically a split between Univision and TUDN for the majority of home games.
- TUDN / Univision: This is your bread and butter. If it's a home game at Ciudad de los Deportes, it’s almost certainly here.
- ViX: The streaming platform has become unavoidable. Some games are "ViX Exclusive," which is annoying, but that's the 2026 landscape for you.
- FOX Deportes: Occasionally, when America travels (like to Tijuana or Juarez), the broadcast rights flip to FOX.
For the Pachuca game on the 18th, you’ll find it on TUDN and DirecTV Stream. If you’re abroad, you might need to mess with a VPN to get back into your home streaming accounts, as regional blackouts are still very much a thing this season.
The 2026 Calendar: Key Dates and "Clásicos"
This year is unique. Because Mexico is co-hosting the World Cup later this summer, the Clausura has been compressed. They’ve actually eliminated the "Play-in" round for this tournament to free up time for the national team's preparation. That means the regular season ends on April 25, and the Liguilla (playoffs) starts immediately after.
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If you’re planning your life around the big ones, here are the kickoffs you cannot miss:
- El Clásico Nacional (vs. Chivas): Saturday, February 14, at 10:00 PM ET. Yes, Valentine’s Day. Good luck explaining that one to your partner.
- El Clásico Capitalino (vs. Pumas): Saturday, March 21, at 10:00 PM ET.
- El Clásico Joven (vs. Cruz Azul): Saturday, April 11, at 10:00 PM ET.
Notice a pattern? America is the "prime time" team. They almost exclusively occupy that 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM ET slot on Saturdays. It’s great for the atmosphere, but a bit of a marathon for fans on the East Coast who are staying up past midnight to see the final whistle.
Why the Kickoff Times Keep Shifting
You’ve probably noticed that sometimes a game says 7:00 PM and then suddenly it’s 7:15 PM. This drives people crazy. Basically, Liga MX has "commercial windows." The broadcast might start at the top of the hour, but the actual whistle doesn't blow until the pre-game ceremonies and ads are finished.
Also, stadium logistics in 2026 are tricky. Since America isn't at the Azteca, they are sharing the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes with Cruz Azul. If there’s a scheduling conflict or a pitch maintenance issue, games get nudged by an hour or even moved to a Sunday. Always check the official Liga MX app or the club's "X" (Twitter) feed about three hours before the supposed start time.
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Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Fan
If you want to make sure you never miss a kickoff again, don't just rely on a Google search five minutes before the game.
First, sync the calendar. Most major sports apps (like OneFootball or FotMob) let you "follow" Club America. This will push a notification to your phone 30 minutes before the whistle blows.
Second, check the local time zone. Mexico City doesn't always observe Daylight Savings Time the same way the U.S. does anymore. There are weeks in the spring where the time difference shifts by an hour unexpectedly. If you're in New York or LA, verify the "local time" versus your "current time."
Finally, get a ViX subscription. It’s kind of a bummer to pay for another service, but for a Club America fan in 2026, it’s the only way to ensure you see every single Matchday, including the ones that don't make it to cable TV.
Set your alarms for 8:00 PM ET this Sunday. Pachuca away is always a trap game, and you’ll want to be there for the first whistle.