Liga TDP

Liga TDP
Organising bodyFederación Mexicana de Fútbol
Founded1967; 59 years ago (1967)
as Tercera División de México
CountryMexico
ConfederationCONCACAF
Number of clubs246 (Zona A and Zona B)
Level on pyramid4
Promotion toLiga Premier
Domestic cupCopa Conecta
Current championsDelfines de Coatzacoalcos
(1st title)
Most championshipsCelaya
San Luis
Tecos
Atlético Tecomán
Real Cuautitlán
Cihuatlán
Héroes de Zaci
(2 titles each)
Websiteligatdp.mx
Current: 2026–27 Liga TDP season

Liga TDP is a professional association football league in Mexico and the fourth level of the Mexican football league system. Formerly known as Tercera División de México (1967–2017). The league is contested by 246 participating clubs, organized into two zones (Zona A with 136 clubs and Zona B with 110 clubs), divided into 18 groups by geographic location. The season consists of an annual tournament, and the champions are decided by a final knockout phase in each zone. The Zona A and Zona B champions compete in the national final and the winners are crowned Liga TDP champions.

The league has held 67 editions. The inaugural edition was the 1967–68 season, with Zapata crowned as the first champions.

From 1967 to 1994, it was the third level of Mexican football. The 18 groups consist of clubs eligible for four promotion spots to Liga Premier, teams affiliated with clubs from the highest levels, which are known as "filiales" are not eligible for promotion.

Fifty-nine clubs have won the title at least once. Celaya, San Luis, Tecos, Atlético Tecomán, Real Cuautitlán, Cihuatlán and Héroes de Zaci are the most successful clubs with two titles each.

History

Tercera División de México (1967–2017)

Founded in 1967 as the third level division, it was one of the three divisions originally created for the Mexican football league system, along with the Primera División and Segunda División. The inaugural season had sixteen founding clubs: ADO, Cuautla, Cuautitlán, Chalco, Electra, Gutiérrez Zamora, Iguala, Las Brisas, Naucalpan, Querétaro, San Luis, San Marcos, UAEM, U de Puebla, UV de Coatzacoalcos and Zapata.

The participating clubs were divided into two zones of eight clubs by geographic location. Two phases of 14 rounds each were played, the two zone winners from each phase qualified for the final championship group, which consisted of a round-robin format with six rounds played.

From 1994, it became the fourth level division of Mexican football, after the creation of the Primera División "A" de México as an intermediate league between the Primera División and Segunda División.

Since the 1992–93 season, teams affiliated with Primera División clubs have been integrated into the Tercera División, which are commonly known as "filiales". From 2001 to 2008, two short tournaments were played per season.

Liga TDP (2017–present)

In 2017, the league was rebranded as Liga TDP, it had 215 participating clubs divided into two zones with 13 groups by geographic location. The final phase included 72 clubs and consisted of seven stages.

Since the 2020–21 season, the competition format has been modified and the clubs have been divided into two zones with 18 groups by geographic location, both zones were renamed as Zona A and Zona B. A final phase with 32 clubs is contested in each zone with a trophy awarded to the champions of each zone, and they also advance to the national final for the overall Liga TDP title, which was also renamed as Campeón de Campeones de la Liga TDP.

Competition format

Regular phase

One tournament is played per season, throughout the FIFA's world footballing calendar, the 246 clubs are divided into two zones with 18 groups by geographic location. Zona A consists of nine groups (1–9) and Zona B consists of nine groups (10–18), each group has 9 to 16 participating clubs. The Liga TDP is played in a double round-robin format, with each club facing all other participating clubs twice during the season, except against clubs located in its own group. A penalty shootout is held in matches that end in a draw, the winners get an extra point.

The teams known as "filiales" also participate, which are the reserve teams affiliated with clubs at higher levels (Liga MX, Liga de Expansión MX and Liga Premier). These clubs are not eligible for promotion, however, they qualify for its own final knockout phase for the affiliated teams title, known as Torneo de Filiales de la Liga TDP.

Final phase

The final phase consists of 64 participating clubs, the best 32 clubs from each zone qualify for the final knockout phase. In each zone, the round of 16, quarter-finals, semifinals and final are played with a home and away format, and the winners being determined by the aggregate score.

The champions of Zona A and Zona B compete in the national final for the league's main title, known as Campeón de Campeones de la Liga TDP, and the winners are crowned officially as the Liga TDP champions.

The national champions and runners-up, and also the runners-up from Zona A and Zona B will be promoted, according to their infrastructure and the requirements of the Liga Premier.

Promotion

Four clubs from Liga TDP will be promoted to Liga Premier, the national champions and runners-up will be promoted to Serie A, the runners-up from Zona A and Zona B will be promoted to Serie B. Depending on their economic and sporting infraestructure, the clubs promoted to Serie A could be placed in Serie B in case of failure to comply with the requirements of Serie A.

Certification requirements

For Liga TDP certificate be considered, you must meet the social, sporting, financial and legal requirements; clubs who win promotion and get the support settlement letter from the division to participate in the Liga Premier complying with the following:

  • Having full legal rule and membership record with the corporate documents, legal and financial sport under the rules of affiliation, name and headquarters.
  • Facilities must comply with the guidelines by the rules of membership, name and ground of Liga Premier.
  • Having no debt in the statement of the division or FMF.

Participating clubs

2026–27 season

The 2026–27 Liga TDP season has the following 246 participating clubs.

Zona A

Group I Group II Group III
Group IV Group V Group VI
  • Arietes
  • CEFAR Azul Iztacalco
  • CEFOR 3030
  • CH Fútbol Club
  • Club Unión
  • Cruz Azul Tultepec1
  • Ecatepec
  • Guardianes de Oriente
  • Independiente Mexiquense
  • LLO
  • Marina
  • Nicolás Romero3
  • Sangre de Campeón
  • TBA
  • TBA
  • TBA
Group VII Group VIII Group IX

Zona B

Group X Group XI Group XII
  • Cajeteros Celaya
  • CEFOMH
  • Celaya Linces
  • Estudiantes de Querétaro
  • Fundadores
  • Instituto de Fútbol de Alta Competencia
  • Inter de Querétaro
  • La Piedad Querétaro
  • Lobos ULMX TDP3
  • Metaleros de Zimapán
  • San Juan del Río
  • Titanes de Querétaro
  • TBA
Group XIII Group XIV Group XV
  • Atlético Tesistán
  • Club Legado del Centenario
  • Diablos Tesistán
  • SD Eibar Mexiko
  • Fuerza Huracán
  • Gallos Viejos
  • GDL United
  • Guadalajara TDP1
  • Oro
  • Sporting AKD
  • Tecos TDP3
  • Tornados Tlaquepaque3
Group XVI Group XVII Group XVIII
Notes
  1. Affiliate teams of Liga MX club.
  2. Affiliate teams of Liga de Expansión MX club.
  3. Affiliate teams of Liga Premier club.

Performances

Rank Club Titles Runners-up Winning years
1Celaya5221973–74, 1990–91
San Luis5201969–70, Mex–1970
Tecos4201972–73, 2016–17
Atlético Tecomán5201982–83, Cla–2004
Real Cuautitlán5201996–97, 2011–12
Cihuatlán201998–99, Cla–2007
Héroes de Zaci3202018–19, 2024–25
8Potros UAEM5121974–75
Atlético San Francisco3121991–92
Águila Progreso Industrial5111986–87
Tepic B511Ape–2002
Soccer Manzanillo/
América Manzanillo5		11Cla–2006
Acatlán3112017–18
Zapata5101967–68
Naucalpan5101968–69
Lobos de Querétaro5101970–71
Orizaba5101971–72
TAMSA5101975–76
Osos Grises5101976–77
Zamora5101977–78
Lobos de Tlaxcala5101978–79
Oaxtepec5101979–80
Azucareros de Córdoba5101980–81
Poza Rica4101981–82
San Mateo Atenco5101983–84
Búfalos Curtidores5101984–85
Progreso de Cocula5101985–86
Ecatepec5101987–88
Ayense3101988–89
Zitlaltepec5101989–90
Colimense5101992–93
Tigrillos UANL5101993–94
Monterrey FAAC5101994–95
Zitácuaro4101995–96
Cachorros de Sayula5101997–98
Chivas Verde Valle5101999–00
Pumas Naucalpan5102000–01
Académicos510Inv–2001
Alacranes de Apatzingán510Ver–2002
Inter Playa del Carmen310Cla–2003
Jersy Nay Ixcuintla510Ape–2003
Autlán B510Ape–2004
Atlético Cuauhtémoc510Cla–2005
Tecamachalco510Cla–2006
Búhos de Hermosillo10Ape–2006
Atlético Comonfort510Ape–2007
Soccer Manzanillo B510Cla–2008
Héroes de Caborca5102008–09
Patriotas de Córdoba5102009–10
Vaqueros de Ixtlán5102010–11
Poblado Miguel Alemán5102012–13
Tuzos Pachuca102013–14
Aguacateros CDU3102014–15
Leones Negros C102015–16
Fuertes de Fortín5102020–21
Mazorqueros B5102021–22
Aguacateros de Peribán3102022–23
Faraones de Texcoco5102023–24
Delfines de Coatzacoalcos3102025–26
60Querétaro102—
Grupo Yucatán/
Itzaes		02—
Loros UdeC02—
Potros de Hierro de Neza502—
Cruz Azul Xochimilco502—
Sporting Canamy402—
Cuautla501—
Tecnológico de Celaya501—
España Veracruz501—
Nuevo Necaxa501—
Tapatío201—
Estudiantes de Querétaro501—
Torreón501—
Universitario Xalapeño501—
UV de Coatzacoalcos501—
Leones de Río Blanco501—
Águilas UPAEP501—
Gallos Blancos UAQ501—
Arroceros de Chetumal501—
Alianza de Sayula501—
Cruz Azul Hidalgo201—
Gallos de Ciudad Juárez501—
Delfines de Xalapa501—
Cruz Azul Oaxaca501—
Coacalco501—
Chalco501—
Diablos Azules de Guasave501—
Atlético Carmen501—
Garzas UAEH501—
América Acoxpa501—
Tecamachalco B501—
Azucareros de Tezonapa501—
Tuxtepec501—
Cacaoteros de Tabasco501—
América Zapata501—
Sufacen Tepic501—
Inter de Xalapa501—
Teca Huixquilucan501—
Club Santos Casino401—
Calor de San Pedro301—
Tecamachalco Sur501—
Real Zamora401—
Valle Verde Jiquipilas501—
Marina301—
Club RC-1128501—
Deportiva Venados301—
Atlético Aragón01—
Atlético Cocula301—
Saltillo Soccer301—
Notes
  1. Currently in Liga MX.
  2. Currently in Liga de Expansión MX.
  3. Currently in Liga Premier.
  4. Currently on hiatus.
  5. Defunct.

Zone finals

Liga TDP Zona A

Rank Club Titles Runners-up Winning years
1Fuertes de Fortín102020–21
Deportiva Venados102021–22
Atlético Aragón102022–23
Faraones de Texcoco102023–24
Héroes de Zaci102024–25
Delfines de Coatzacoalcos102025–26
7Toluca TDP01—
Avispones de Chilpancingo01—
Artesanos Metepec01—
Yautepec01—
Dragones de Oaxaca01—
Cruz Azul Lagunas01—

Liga TDP Zona B

Rank Club Titles Runners-up Winning years
1Club RC–1128102020–21
Mazorqueros B102021–22
Aguacateros de Peribán102022–23
Acatlán102023–24
Atlético Cocula102024–25
Saltillo Soccer102025–26
7CAFESSA01—
Real Ánimas de Sayula01—
Poza Rica01—
Tigres de Álica01—
Gorilas de Juanacatlán01—
La Tribu de Ciudad Juárez01—

Cup tournament

Copa México de la Tercera División was a domestic cup tournament for clubs in the Tercera División. Formerly known as Copa Presidente de la Tercera División (1967–1970).

The tournament was held eight editions. The inaugural edition was the 1968–69 season, with Querétaro crowned as the first champions. The final edition was the 1980–81 season, with U de Jalapa crowned as the last champions.

Eight clubs won the title at least once. Querétaro, San Luis, Tecnológico de Celaya, Tlalnepantla, Tapatío, Potros UAEM, Osos Grises and U de Jalapa were the most successful clubs with one title each.

Performances

Rank Club Titles Runners-up Winning years
1Querétaro101968–69
San Luis101969–70
Tecnológico de Celaya101970–71
Tlalnepantla101971–72
Tapatío101972–73
Potros UAEM101974–75
Osos Grises101975–76
U de Jalapa101980–81
9Cuautla01—
Cuautitlán01—
Iguala01—
Leones Negros UdeG01—
U de Tamaulipas01—
SUOO01—
Uruapan01—

Campeón de Campeones

Campeón de Campeones de la Tercera División was a domestic super cup contested by two clubs: the league and cup champions of the Tercera División.

The trophy was held six editions. The inaugural edition was contested in 1969, with Querétaro crowned as the first champions. The final edition was contested in 1975, with Potros UAEM crowned as the last champions.

Six clubs won the title at least once. Querétaro, San Luis, Tecnológico de Celaya, Tlalnepantla, Tecos and Potros UAEM were the most successful clubs with one title each.

Performances

Rank Club Titles Runners-up Winning years
1Querétaro101969
San Luis1019701
Tecnológico de Celaya101971
Tlalnepantla101972
Tecos101973
Potros UAEM1019751
7Naucalpan01—
Lobos de Querétaro01—
Orizaba01—
Tapatío01—
Notes
  1. Automatic winners of the trophy for winning the season's league and cup tournament.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Loan of Los Ángeles.
  2. ↑ Loan of Progreso.
  3. ↑ Loan of PRO CAMP.
  4. ↑ Loan of Lobos ITECA.
  5. ↑ Loan of Academia Dragones.
  6. ↑ Loan of Iguanas.
  7. ↑ Loan of Formación Metropolitana.
  8. ↑ Loan of Delfines de Coatzacoalcos TDP.
  9. ↑ Loan of Tlapa.
  10. ↑ Loan of Atlético Tulancingo.
  11. ↑ Loan of Valle de Xico.
  12. ↑ Loan of Halcones Zúñiga.
  13. ↑ Loan of Novillos Neza.
  14. ↑ Loan of Muxes.
  15. ↑ Loan of Ciervos TDP.
  16. ↑ Loan of Atlético Mexicano.
  17. ↑ Loan of Cañoneros TDP.
  18. ↑ Loan of Colegio Once México.
  19. ↑ Loan of Lonsdaleíta.
  20. ↑ Loan of Sk Sport Street Soccer.
  21. ↑ Loan of Huracanes Izcalli TDP.
  22. ↑ Loan of Domínguez Osos.
  23. ↑ Loan of Atlético Pachuca.
  24. ↑ Loan from Atlético Cuernavaca.
  25. ↑ Loan of Grupo Sherwood.
  26. ↑ Loan of Iguala.
  27. ↑ Loan of Caudillos de Morelos.
  28. ↑ Loan of Matamoros.
  29. ↑ Loan of Atlético Huejutla.
  30. ↑ Loan of BFC.
  31. ↑ Loan of Atlético Valladolid.
  32. ↑ Loan of Real Olmeca Sport.
  33. ↑ Loan of Deportivo Cimagol.
  34. ↑ Loan of Hermanos Benítez.
  35. ↑ Loan of Club Suré.
  36. ↑ Loan of Guerreros de Autlán TDP.
  37. ↑ Loan of ACF Acatlán.
  38. ↑ Loan of Tlaxcala TDP.
  39. ↑ Loan of Volcanes de Colima.
  40. ↑ Loan of Fénix CFAR.
  41. ↑ Loan of Deportivo Aviña.
  42. ↑ Loan of Castores Gobrantacto.
  43. ↑ Loan of Guerreros de Autlán-Tlaquepaque.
  44. ↑ Loan of Fut–Car.
  45. ↑ Loan of Gallos Nuevo León.
  46. ↑ Loan of Real San Cosme.
  47. ↑ Loan of San Pedro 7-10.
  48. ↑ Loan of Querétaro 3D.

References

  1. ↑ "Temporada 2022-23. Reglamento de Competencia" (PDF). Liga TDP (in Spanish). 18 August 2022. pp. 12–13. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Temporada 2022-23. Reglamento de Competencia" (PDF). Liga TDP (in Spanish). 18 August 2022. pp. 8–12. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  3. ↑ "¡247 Clubes para la Temporada 2026-2027!". Liga TDP (in Spanish). 20 August 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "Sporting de Sonora se incorpora al Grupo 18 de la Temporada 2026-2027". Liga TDP (in Spanish). 14 September 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.