The Clausura 2026 final is already defined and promises to paralyze Mexican soccer. Pumas and Cruz Azul will compete in the championship series in an edition that revives one of the most intense rivalries in the country's capital. Here we tell you dates, times, venues and the background that marks this long-awaited Liga MX tie.

Official calendar of the Closing Final 2026

The series between Cruz Azul and Pumas will be played back and forth in two emblematic venues in Mexico City.

first leg

Blue Cross vs. PumasThursday, May 21, 2026 | 8:00 p.m. Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium

return match

Pumas vs. Cruz AzulSunday, May 24, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. University Olympic Stadium

Two stadiums, two nights and only one champion. The Clausura 2026 Grand Final will define the new monarch of Liga MX in a series that generates enormous expectations among university and celestial fans.

Pumas and Cruz Azul return to a final after 45 years

The rivalry between Pumas and Cruz Azul will once again have a chapter for the Mexican soccer championship after more than four decades.

Both teams already met previously in two finals during the era of long tournaments, with a completely even balance: one title for each club.

In addition, this will be the first time that university students and cement workers compete in a final within the short tournament format.

This was the 1978/1979 final between Cruz Azul and Pumas

The first final between Cruz Azul and Pumas occurred in the 1978/1979 season, with Bora Milutinovic and Ignacio Trelles as coaches.

The series began at the Olympic University Stadium with a goalless draw. Subsequently, the Machine won the championship after winning 2-0 at the then called Azteca Stadium.

The title goals were the work of Carlos Jara and Horacio López Salgado, a result with which Cruz Azul achieved the sixth championship in its history.

Pumas took revenge in the 1980/1981 final

Two years later, Pumas and Cruz Azul met again in another series for the Liga MX title.

On that occasion, the tie began at the Azteca Stadium, where Cruz Azul took a 1-0 lead thanks to a score by Adrián Camacho.

However, the university team reacted in Ciudad Universitaria. Hugo Sánchez tied the overall score at minute 10 and later Ricardo Ferretti and Manuel Manzo extended the lead for the cats.

Rafael Toribio scored for Cruz Azul, but Enrique López Zarza sealed the university championship with the final goal 15 minutes from time.

An unprecedented final in short tournaments

Although there is precedent between both clubs in long tournament finals, Clausura 2026 will mark the first time that Pumas and Cruz Azul define a championship in the modern era of Liga MX.

With competitive squads, a capital rivalry and the memory of those final series, the tie aims to become one of the most attractive events in Mexican soccer in recent years.