The 2026 football calendar for Club Deportivo Guadalajara, widely known as Chivas, presents a unique and condensed structure due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As Mexico prepares to co-host the global tournament, Liga MX has adjusted the Clausura 2026 schedule to ensure the domestic season concludes well before the international spotlight arrives.

Chivas will navigate a rigorous early-year schedule featuring seventeen regular-season matches, three mid-week "double matchdays," and the intensity of the Liguilla playoffs, all packed into a four-month window.

Key Dates for Chivas in the Clausura 2026 Tournament

The Clausura 2026 regular season for Chivas officially kicks off on January 10, 2026, and concludes on April 25, 2026. This fast-paced tournament is designed to accommodate FIFA's mandatory rest periods and preparation windows for national teams.

  • Season Start: January 10, 2026 (vs. Pachuca)
  • Regular Season End: April 25, 2026 (vs. Tijuana)
  • Playoff Window: May 2 to May 24, 2026
  • Notable Adjustments: The 2026 edition eliminates the "Play-In" round to save time, with the top eight teams advancing directly to the Quarterfinals.

Detailed Chivas Match Schedule for Clausura 2026

Chivas will play eight home games at the Akron Stadium and nine away games during the regular season. Below is the complete round-by-round breakdown of the fixtures.

Matchday 1 to 5: The Opening Month

The Rebaño Sagrado starts the season with a mix of high-altitude challenges and home debuts.

  • Matchday 1: Chivas vs. Pachuca
    • Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
    • Time: 5:00 PM
    • Venue: Akron Stadium
  • Matchday 2: FC Juárez vs. Chivas
    • Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 PM
    • Venue: Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez
  • Matchday 3: Chivas vs. Querétaro
    • Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
    • Time: 5:00 PM
    • Venue: Akron Stadium
  • Matchday 4: Atlético San Luis vs. Chivas
    • Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
    • Time: 7:00 PM
    • Venue: Estadio Alfonso Lastras
  • Matchday 5: Mazatlán FC vs. Chivas
    • Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 PM
    • Venue: Estadio El Encanto

Matchday 6 to 10: Rivalry Month and High Stakes

February and early March represent the most critical stretch for the squad, featuring the most anticipated match in Mexican football.

  • Matchday 6: El Clásico de México
    • Opponent: Club América
    • Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 PM
    • Venue: Akron Stadium
    • Significance: Playing the Super Clásico at home on Valentine's Day adds a unique layer of intensity to this rivalry.
  • Matchday 7: Cruz Azul vs. Chivas
    • Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 PM
    • Venue: Estadio Olímpico Universitario
  • Matchday 8: Toluca vs. Chivas
    • Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
    • Time: 5:00 PM
    • Venue: Estadio Nemesio Diez
  • Matchday 10: Clásico Tapatío
    • Opponent: Atlas
    • Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
    • Time: 7:00 PM
    • Venue: Estadio Jalisco
    • Significance: The local derby against Atlas at the historic Jalisco Stadium remains a cornerstone of the Guadalajara football culture.
  • Matchday 11: Chivas vs. Santos Laguna
    • Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
    • Time: 5:00 PM
    • Venue: Akron Stadium

Matchday 9 and 12 to 17: The Final Sprint

Due to rescheduling, Matchday 9 takes place later in March, creating a grueling mid-week fixture before the international break.

  • Matchday 9 (Rescheduled): Chivas vs. León
    • Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 PM
    • Venue: Akron Stadium
  • Matchday 12: Monterrey vs. Chivas
    • Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
    • Time: 7:00 PM
    • Venue: Estadio BBVA
  • Matchday 13: Chivas vs. Pumas UNAM
    • Date: Sunday, April 5, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 PM
    • Venue: Akron Stadium
  • Matchday 14: Tigres UANL vs. Chivas
    • Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
    • Time: 5:00 PM
    • Venue: Estadio Universitario
  • Matchday 15: Chivas vs. Puebla
    • Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
    • Time: 7:00 PM
    • Venue: Akron Stadium
  • Matchday 16: Necaxa vs. Chivas
    • Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 PM
    • Venue: Estadio Victoria
  • Matchday 17: Chivas vs. Tijuana
    • Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
    • Time: 7:00 PM
    • Venue: Akron Stadium

Post-Season and Liguilla Schedule

The top eight teams in the general table will qualify directly for the Liguilla. Given the elimination of the Play-In for 2026, the stakes for finishing in the top spots are higher than ever.

  • Quarterfinals: First legs on May 2-3; Second legs on May 9-10.
  • Semifinals: First legs on May 13-14; Second legs on May 16-17.
  • The Grand Final: First leg on May 21; Second leg on May 24.

By May 25, the Clausura 2026 champion will be crowned, allowing Mexican international players to join their respective national camps for the World Cup.

Leagues Cup 2026 Participation

Following the conclusion of the World Cup in July, Chivas is expected to participate in the Leagues Cup, the joint tournament with MLS. Preliminary dates suggest the following fixtures for the group stage:

  • August 6, 2026: LAFC vs. Chivas (BMO Stadium, Los Angeles)
  • August 9, 2026: Chivas vs. FC Dallas (Venue TBD)
  • August 13, 2026: Seattle Sounders vs. Chivas (Lumen Field, Seattle)

These dates are subject to official confirmation by the tournament organizers following the World Cup final.

Apertura 2026 Outlook

The second half of the 2026 season, the Apertura 2026, typically begins in late July or early August. However, due to the World Cup ending on July 19, 2026, the league is expected to have a slightly delayed start to allow for stadium transitions and player recovery.

While the full fixture list for the Apertura 2026 is usually released in May or June, fans can expect the season to run until mid-December, following the standard FIFA international match calendar, including the scheduled break in September and October.

Analysis of the 2026 Schedule Constraints

The 2026 schedule is one of the most demanding in recent history for Chivas. The compression of 17 matches into roughly 100 days means the squad's depth will be tested. Key factors include:

The Impact of Double Matchdays

With three mid-week rounds (Matchdays 2, 9, and 16), the coaching staff will likely need to rotate the starting eleven frequently. Fatigue management will be the deciding factor for teams aiming for a direct playoff spot.

Home Ground Advantage at Akron Stadium

Chivas plays eight games at home this season. Notably, the matches against Pachuca, Club América, Pumas, and Tijuana will be held at Akron Stadium. Securing maximum points at home is vital, especially considering the difficult away trips to Monterrey and Tigres in the latter half of the season.

The World Cup Influence

As Akron Stadium is a host venue for the 2026 World Cup, the facility must be handed over to FIFA several weeks before the opening match. This necessitates the early conclusion of the Clausura tournament. Fans should also be aware that seating capacity or stadium access might be affected by ongoing FIFA-mandated upgrades during the early months of the year.

Summary of the Chivas 2026 Calendar

The 2026 season for Chivas is a sprint, not a marathon. Starting in January, the team faces a relentless path toward the May finals. With the World Cup looming, the domestic competition takes on a heightened sense of urgency.

  • January: Focus on a strong start with five matches in 27 days.
  • February: Rivalry month featuring the Clásico de México.
  • March: Navigating the rescheduled fixtures and the Clásico Tapatío.
  • April: The final push for playoff positioning.
  • May: Liguilla matches leading to the final on May 24.
  • August: International competition in the Leagues Cup.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Chivas vs. América match in 2026?

The "Super Clásico" or Clásico de México is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 9:00 PM at Akron Stadium.

How has the 2026 World Cup affected the Chivas schedule?

The Clausura 2026 tournament has been shortened, removing the Play-In round and including three double matchdays (mid-week games) to ensure the season ends by May 24, 2026.

Where will Chivas play their home games in 2026?

Chivas will continue to host their home matches at Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Guadalajara, though the stadium will also be preparing for World Cup hosting duties.

Is the Apertura 2026 schedule available?

No, the full schedule for the Apertura 2026 tournament is expected to be released by Liga MX in May or June 2026, following the conclusion of the Clausura playoffs.

Will Chivas play in the Leagues Cup in 2026?

Yes, Chivas is scheduled to face MLS opponents such as LAFC and Seattle Sounders in August 2026 as part of the Leagues Cup group stage.