By Mexican football is celebrated for its passion, Times do México colorful traditions, and electric fan culture. The country’s clubs are more than just football teams—they’re powerful symbols of identity, pride, and history. In Mexico, fans live and breathe football, creating one of the most intense football cultures in the world.
In this article, we rank the top 10 most popular football clubs in Mexico based on fan base size, national influence, historical success, and cultural impact. From storied institutions to rising giants, these are the times do México that have captured the hearts of millions.
1. Club América – The Nation’s Club
Base: Mexico City
Founded: 1916
Nickname: Las Águilas (The Eagles)
Club América is undeniably the most popular and most polarizing football club in Mexico. Loved by many and hated by others, its dominance in national and international tournaments has built an enormous following.
Times do México With a record 13 Liga MX titles, 6 Copa MX trophies, and 7 CONCACAF Champions League wins, América is a symbol of power and success. Its rivalry with Chivas—El Clásico Nacional—is the most anticipated fixture in Mexican football.
América fans are everywhere, from border towns to Central America, making it the most followed club in the region.
2. Chivas Guadalajara – Pride of the People
Base: Guadalajara, Jalisco
Founded: 1906
Nickname: El Rebaño Sagrado (The Sacred Flock)
Chivas is beloved for its all-Mexican player policy—a commitment no other major club in Mexico upholds. This tradition has made them a cultural icon and a source of national pride.
Times do México With 12 Liga MX titles, Chivas is one of the most successful and recognizable teams in the country. The team’s youth academy has produced stars like Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and Carlos Vela.
Whether in rural towns or urban centers, Chivas fans are loyal, vocal, and proud of their club’s heritage.
3. Tigres UANL – Nuevo León’s Powerhouse
Base: San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León
Founded: 1960
Nickname: Los Tigres (The Tigers)
Over the past two decades, Tigres has experienced a massive surge in popularity, thanks to their on-field success and a fiercely devoted fan base known as Libres y Lokos.
Times do México With 8 Liga MX titles (as of 2025), Tigres is now a consistent title contender. Their intense rivalry with Monterrey (Clásico Regiomontano) is one of the most electric in Mexican football.
Tigres fans fill the Estadio Universitario with energy that rivals Europe’s best atmospheres.
4. Cruz Azul – The Loyal Blue Nation
Base: Mexico City
Founded: 1927
Nickname: La Máquina (The Machine)
Cruz Azul has one of the most passionate fan bases despite decades of heartbreak and near-misses. Known for their “Cruzazulear” (a slang term for losing from a winning position), their fans have stuck with them through thick and thin.
After a 23-year title drought, they finally lifted the Liga MX trophy in 2021, sparking emotional celebrations across the country. Cruz Azul’s fan loyalty is legendary, and their reach is broad, especially among working-class communities.
5. Pumas UNAM – The Pride of Academia
Base: Mexico City
Founded: 1954
Nickname: Los Pumas
Representing the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Pumas is more than a football club—it’s a symbol of intellect, rebellion, and youth culture.
With 7 Liga MX titles, Pumas has developed legendary Mexican players like Hugo Sánchez, Jorge Campos, and Claudio Suárez. Their youth academy remains one of the most respected in Latin America.
Pumas fans are known for their academic pride and fiercely loyal support, especially among students and alumni.
6. Monterrey – Los Rayados Rising
Base: Monterrey, Nuevo León
Founded: 1945
Nickname: Los Rayados (The Striped Ones)
Monterrey has rapidly grown into one of Mexico’s most influential clubs. With significant financial backing, top-level facilities, and strong performances, Rayados now boast 5 Liga MX titles and 5 CONCACAF Champions League trophies.
Their rivalry with Tigres has made Monterrey a two-club city—one of the few in the world where two massive fan bases coexist with such intensity.
Monterrey fans are incredibly loyal and regularly sell out the state-of-the-art Estadio BBVA.
7. León – The Sleeping Giant
Base: León, Guanajuato
Founded: 1944
Nickname: La Fiera (The Beast)
León’s recent dominance in Liga MX—winning multiple titles in the last decade—has reinvigorated their fan base. Their fast-paced, attacking football under coaches like Nacho Ambriz has earned them admiration across the country.
With 8 Liga MX championships, León is among the most successful clubs in Mexican history. Times do México Their fans are passionate and proud of the club’s working-class roots and footballing traditions.
8. Toluca – The Quiet Achievers
Base: Toluca, State of Mexico
Founded: 1917
Nickname: Los Diablos Rojos (The Red Devils)
Toluca may not generate the media attention of Chivas or América, but their historical success speaks volumes. With 10 Liga MX titles, Toluca is the third-most decorated team in league history.
Their fans are deeply loyal, particularly in central Mexico, and they take immense pride in being underdogs who consistently punch above their weight.
9. Atlas – From Suffering to Glory
Base: Guadalajara, Jalisco
Founded: 1916
Nickname: Los Rojinegros (The Red and Blacks)
For decades, Atlas was the team of eternal suffering, going 70 years without a league title. That changed in 2021 and 2022 when they won back-to-back championships, turning agony into ecstasy.
Despite the drought, Atlas has always had a solid fan base, especially in Guadalajara, where they are the arch-rivals of Chivas. Their recent resurgence has ignited a new generation of loyal Rojinegros.
10. Santos Laguna – The Green Force
Base: Torreón, Coahuila
Founded: 1983
Nickname: Guerreros (Warriors)
Santos Laguna may be one of the younger clubs on this list, but they’ve earned their spot with 6 Liga MX titles and a consistently competitive team.
Based in the northern desert city of Torreón, Times do México Santos has become a regional powerhouse, with fans known for their passionate support and strong connection to the community.
Their story is one of rapid rise, smart management, and tenacious spirit, winning hearts across northern Mexico.
Conclusion: A Nation of Devoted Fans
Mexican football is as much about the fans as it is about the clubs. From the sprawling metropolis of Mexico City to the mountains of Monterrey and the heartlands of Jalisco, fans live for their teams. Whether it’s Club América’s overwhelming presence, Chivas’ deep-rooted tradition, or Tigres’ roaring passion, every club on this list contributes to the unique and colorful football landscape of Mexico.
Times do México These ten clubs not only define Mexican football history but also reflect the soul of its people—loyal, emotional, and deeply invested in every goal, win, or loss. If you ever attend a match in Mexico, prepare to be swept away by one of the most vibrant football cultures in the world.
FAQs
1. Which football club has the most fans in Mexico?
Times do México Club América is widely considered the club with the largest fan base in Mexico, followed closely by Chivas Guadalajara. Both teams have millions of loyal supporters spread across the country and beyond.
2. What is the biggest rivalry in Mexican football?
The Clásico Nacional between Club América and Chivas Guadalajara is the most famous and intense rivalry in Mexico. It represents not just a football clash but a cultural divide between Mexico City and Guadalajara.
3. Which club has won the most Liga MX titles?
As of 2025, Club América holds the record with 13 Liga MX championships, making them the most successful team in Mexican football history.
4. Are there fan-owned football clubs in Mexico?
Times do México Most Mexican clubs are owned by corporations or private investors, although Pumas UNAM is closely tied to the National Autonomous University of Mexico, giving it a unique academic and social ownership model.
5. What is the most popular club in northern Mexico?
In the north, Times do México Tigres UANL and Monterrey dominate. Both clubs enjoy massive local support, and their rivalry—Clásico Regiomontano—is considered one of the fiercest in the country.
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