The CONCACAF Champions League or Concachampions, has proven to be a particularly successful competition for mexican clubs. Of the 57 editions of the tournament between 1962 and 2022, 36 – more than half, have been won by Liga MX clubs. Monterrey were the last Mexican team to lift the trophy in 2021 and are also the club to have won the tournament the most times in its current form. The Rayados have five CONCACAF Champions League titles – the same number held by Club America and Cruz Azul in the competition in its previous incarnation, the CONCACAF Champions Cupwhich lasted until 2008.
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Current format
At present, the CONCACAF Champions League is a knockout competition that includes 16 teamsincluding a minimum of nine among the North America area – four from MLS, one from canada and four of the Liga MX. For Mexican clubs, the winners and finalists both of the Opening and Fencing tournaments automatically qualify for a place in the CONCACAF Champions League. The tournament itself runs from February to May with home and away matches from the round of 16 to the semi-finals. The winners are the representatives of CONCACAF in the Club World Cup.
The four Liga MX that will represent Mexico at next year’s CONCACAF Champions League are: Atlas and Pachuca (winners and runners-up of the Clausura 2022) Leon (Apertura 2021 finalist), and UANL Tigers (the highest ranked Liga MX team overall). Other teams that have qualified for next year’s edition include: Orlando City SC, Vancouver Whitecaps, Philadelphia Union, FC Los Angeles, CD Olympia (Honduras), Violet (Haiti), Tauro FC (Panama), Alianza FC (El Salvador), Motagua (Honduras), RCD Spain and Alajuelense (Costa Rica).
Tournament expanded in 2024
However, the CONCACAF Champions League 2023 will be the last to be played in its current format. The tournament will be expanded to include 27 clubs and will include a supplement, knockout round. Five clubs will qualify directly for the round of 16 – the MLS Cup Championsthe Liga MX champion with the best combined Apertura/Clausura record in the regular season as well as the winners of three new sub-regional tournaments: the League Cup (which will involve all MLS and Liga MX clubs), the Central American Cup and the Caribbean Cup.
The rest 22 teams will enter the first round stage with the 11 winners of each tie qualifying for the Round of 16.
