The rise of women’s football in Mexico – The creation of LIGA MX Femenil

Two years ago, the idea of having a professional women’s football league in Mexico was difficult to imagine. Though no championship existed, Mexico did have a women’s national team, which, despite all sorts of obstacles, obtained the silver medal in the Winnipeg Pan-American Games in 1999. Unfortunately, there were no other significant achievements to write home about.

Then, in December 2016, the Mexican Football Federation began an initiative to create a professional women’s league - the LIGA MX Femenil (LMF).1 The objective was twofold:

1. strengthen women’s football in Mexico; and

2. strengthen the women’s national team.

After much hard work, the project came to fruition, and the inaugural season of LMF Apertura Championship kicked off in July 2017. This article briefly explains the creation and format of the LMF and reflects on its success to date.