The Liga TDP is a Mexican football league that comprises the country's fourth tier in the league system. It has 209 teams divided into 17 groups. For the 2009/2010 season, the format of the tournament has been reorganized to a home and away format, which all teams will play in their respective group. The 17 groups consist of teams which are eligible to play in the liguilla de ascenso for three promotion spots, teams which are affiliated with teams in the Liga MX, Liga de Expansión MX and Liga Premier, which are not eligible for promotion but will play that who the better filial team in a sixteen team filial playoff tournament for the entire season.
Teams
Participating clubs for the 2023–24 tournament:[1]
* Teams with an affiliate in the Liga MX and that are not eligible for promotion.
** Teams with an affiliate in the Liga de Expansión MX and that are not eligible for promotion.
*** Teams with an affiliate in the Liga Premier and that are not eligible for promotion.
Tercera División currently features 210 teams divided into 17 groups. There are 38 teams with filials (affiliates) in the Liga MX (First Division), Liga de Expansión MX or Liga Premier, which are not eligible for promotion. The Tercera follows the usual double round-robin format in which each club plays every other club twice within their own group.
The teams will be divided in accordance to their geographical zone. The teams in each subgroup of 18 will then play each other in the double round-robin format within their own subgroup. Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. If a game ends in a draw both team are awarded one point for the draw in regulation time and will then move on to the execution of penalties. The team who wins in the penalty series will be awarded a point in addition to the point won for drawing during regulation time. Teams are ranked by total points won.
Qualification for promotion
Three teams from the Tercera Division will be promoted to Second Division de Mexico, Campeon de Campeones (National Champion), Subcampéon de Campeones (National runner-up) and Subcampeón de Ascenso (Winner of the match between regional runners-up). The national champion and national runner-up will be promoted to the Liga Premier Serie A, depending on their economic development and infrastructure, the team could be placed in Serie B in case of failure to comply with the participation requirements of Serie A. The regional runners-up will play in Serie B.[2]
Of the teams that are eligible for promotion, 64 teams will qualify for play-offs to determine which team will be promoted. The Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and the finals will be played in a home and away format, the winner being determined by the aggregate score. Also, Participating in the play-offs is the 16 affiliate clubs without the right to be promoted to the Liga MX, Liga de Expansión MX and Liga Premier.[3]
Round of 32
The 64 teams classified to the promotion stage will be divided into two zones of 32 clubs according to their geographical location. Zone A will integrate the teams from groups 1 to 7 of the regular season and Zone B will group the clubs belonging to groups 8 to 17. The teams will be seeded based on their final overall record in regular season play.[2]
In this round, the remaining teams will play in a representing zone that they are in. The teams will be reseeded after Round of 32 based on their final overall record in regular season play.
For this phase, the remaining teams in their represent zone plays each other. The teams will be reseeded after Round of 16 based on their final overall record in regular season play.
For this phase, the remaining teams in their represent zone plays each other. The teams will be reseeded after Quarterfinals based on their final overall record in regular season play.
For this phase, the remaining teams in their represent zone plays each other. The teams will be reseeded after Semifinals based on their final overall record in regular season play. Both finalists from each zone will be promoted to Liga Premier Serie A (Segunda Division).
For this phase, the two losing teams of the zone finals participate to determine the winner of a promotion to Serie B. The teams will be reseeded after Semifinals based on their final overall record in regular season play. The winner will be promoted to Liga Premier Serie B (Segunda Division).
The final will be disputed between the highest seed of playoffs and lowest seed of playoffs based on their final overall record in regular season play.
The team that wins in the aggregate score will be crowned champion and will be promoted to the Liga Premier. This team will be placed on Serie A or Serie B according to the social, sporting, financial and legal requirements of the Second Division. The runner-up will be promoted to the Serie A or Serie B and the third and fourth place will be promoted to Serie B.[2]
For Tercera Division Profesional Certificate be considered, you must meet the social, sporting, financial and legal requirements; Clubs who win promotion and get the support settlement letter from the Division to participate in the Segunda Division de Mexico complying with the following:
Having full legal rule and membership record with the corporate documents, legal and financial sport under the Rules of Affiliation, name and headquarters.
Facilities must comply with the guidelines by the Rules of Membership, Name and Ground of Segunda Division de Mexico.
Having no debt in the Statement of the Division or at the FMF.
