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After 12 grueling years stuck in the second division, legendary Mexican club Atlante have officially secured their return to Liga MX, with "Los Potros de Hierro" set to reclaim their place in the spotlight during the upcoming Apertura 2026 season.
Atlante's last appearance in Liga MX came when they suffered a heartbreaking relegation in the Clausura 2014. Promotion and relegation has since been eliminated from Mexico's top flight, but at an owners' meeting on Thursday, Atlante's acquisition of Mazatlán FC's franchise rights was officially approved, clearing the path for the Azulgrana club's long-awaited comeback.
Under the ownership of businessman Emilio Escalante since 2020, Atlante's Liga MX comeback had been building for several years. Now, it has finally become a reality.
"Thanks to the tremendous effort made both on and off the pitch," Atlante said in an official statement. "A historic institution, one that has played a prominent role in many great chapters of our football and stands as a symbol of working-class passion, returns to the stage where its history, tradition and stature truly belong.
"We want to extend a special acknowledgment to our supporters who never turned their backs on the club and stood by us with pride throughout these 12 years in the second division. Your loyalty was a driving force, a source of inspiration and strength at every turn.
"We promised you we would return, and here we are."
Atlante's Legacy in Mexican Soccer
Widely known as "El Equipo del Pueblo" (the people's team), Atlante boast a storied history in Mexican football dating back to their founding in 1916, which includes three Liga MX championship titles.
Atlante have long been synonymous with Mexico's working class. Having spent the bulk of their existence playing in Mexico City, the club has always operated in the shadow of local rivals Club América, Cruz Azul and Pumas. Nevertheless, Los Potros de Hierro (The Iron Colts) carved out an identity as a symbol of the working class, historically standing up against the financial powerhouses of the capital — earning them the beloved nickname El Equipo del Pueblo.
Even after relocating to Cancún in 2007, Atlante wasted no time making their mark, claiming their third Liga MX title in their very first season on the Caribbean coast by defeating Pumas in the Apertura 2007 final. Two years on, Atlante lifted the Concacaf Champions Cup and subsequently faced Pep Guardiola's dominant Barcelona side in the semifinals of the 2009 Club World Cup.
Ricardo La Volpe and Miguel Herrera, who each guided the Mexican national team at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups respectively, both have histories with Atlante as players and managers. Current El Tri head coach Javier Aguirre also began his managerial career at Atlante back in 1996.
When Atlante makes their return in the Clausura 2026, they will once again call Mexico City home, playing at the iconic Estadio Banorte alongside Cruz Azul and Club América.
Mazatlán Bids Farewell to Liga MX
Mazatlán's time in Liga MX has come to an end just six years after the club was originally established, following the ownership group's controversial decision to relocate the franchise from Morelia and rebrand it in the Pacific coastal city of Mazatlán.
Situated in the state of Sinaloa along the Pacific coast, Mazatlán is one of the few regions in Mexico where football does not reign supreme — baseball holds that distinction. Attendance at Estadio El Encanto never reached the hoped-for levels in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, though poor on-field performances were ultimately the primary culprit.
Mazatlán depart Liga MX having failed to qualify for the playoffs in any of their 12 seasons, with the 21 points accumulated across 17 matches during the Clausura 2021 representing the club's finest campaign.
Mazatlán's ownership group, Grupo Salinas, will now receive $65 million from the sale of the franchise rights to Atlante.
In front of a packed Estadio El Encanto, Mazatlán signed off in style by defeating reigning back-to-back Liga MX champions Toluca 4–3 in the club's final home match, giving their emotional supporters in the stands one last moment to celebrate.