Copa MX

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The Copa MX is an annual club competition played by Liga MX and Ascenso MX sides. The tournament was founded in 1907 but has undergone several hiatuses, with their break between 1997 and 2012 being one of the more recent ones.

The number of teams involved in this competition is closely determined by each club’s involvement in international competitions. Ascenso MX teams qualify for this tournament based on their individual performances. For example, twelve Ascenso MX teams were included in the 2019-20 tournament along with 15 Liga MX sides. Four teams from the Mexican top-flight -- América, Cruz Azul, Tigres, and León -- were left out so they could fight for the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League title.

The teams included in the competition are drawn into nine groups. The winner of each group automatically earns a spot in the KO Stage. They are joined by the seven best runners-up.

The KO stage begins with the round of 16 which is played in a two-legged format. The closing game of each tie sees the top-seeded club host the tie. The same format is followed until the final clash.

This competition changed its format in 2012. Up until the 2018-19 campaign, there were two cup champions per season. KO stage games were one-leg ties and the final followed the same format. Things were changed to give teams a chance to plan their seasons without many unnecessary games.