Mexico’s National Antitrust Commission (CNA) announces it has opened an investigation into potential monopolistic or anti-competitive practices in domestic soccer. The move follows fan complaints alleging the sport operates in ways that limit competition.
The issue is tied to changes in Mexico’s promotion and relegation system. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) had previously suspended promotion in 2019 under an agreement that contemplated restoring it by 2026, but sources cited report that no active plan is currently in place to reinstate promotion and relegation. Separately, owners of the 18 first-division teams voted to continue suspending promotion and relegation for six seasons, saying the change is meant to stabilize clubs in the second division.
While outlets focus on different elements—some emphasize the CNA’s complaint-driven investigation and others highlight the promotion/relegation suspension and the FMF context—the reports collectively describe the investigation as connected to longstanding concerns about competition and market power in the domestic league system.
