Tercera División de México

Tercera División de México

Founded	1967 (1967)
Country	Mexico
Confederation	CONCACAF
Divisions	14 groups
Number of teams	214
Level on pyramid	4
Promotion to	Liga Premier Serie B
Current champions	Tecos F.C. (2016–17)
Website	3radivision.net
Offseason

The Tercera División de México is Mexico's fourth tier in the Mexican League System. The Tercera División (Third Division) is divided into 14 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 14 groups consist of teams who are eligible to play in the liguilla ascenso for two promotion spots, teams who are affiliated with teams in the Liga MX (Primera División) and Ascenso MX, which are not eligible for promotion but will play that who the better filial team in an eight team filial playoff tournament for the entire season.

Teams

Participating clubs for the 2017–18 tournament:^[1]

* Teams with an affiliate in the Liga MX and that are not eligible for promotion.

** Teams with an affiliate in the Ascenso MX and that are not eligible for promotion.

*** Teams with an affiliate in the Liga Premier and that are not eligible for promotion.

To be determined

Group I

Group II

Group III

Group IV

Group V

Group VI

Group VII

Group VIII

Group IX

Group X

Group XI

Group XII

Group XIII

Group XIV

Current Format

Tercera División currently features 214 teams divided into 14 groups. There are 7 teams with filials (affiliates) in the Liga MX (First Division) or Ascenso MX, who 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 14 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

Two teams from the Tercera Division will be promoted to Second Division de Mexico, Campeon (Champion) and Sub-Campeon (Runner-Up). The champion will be promoted directly to the Serie A and the runner-up will be promoted to the Serie B.

Of the teams that are eligible for promotion, 64 teams will qualify for play-offs to determine which two teams will be promoted. The inter-group play-offs will be played in a home and away format, the winner being determined by the aggregate score. But when the final seven teams are defined, the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final are a single match. Also, Participating in the play-offs is the 8 affiliate clubs without the right to be promoted to the Liga MX, Ascenso MX and Liga Premier.

Phase l

For Groups has 17-20 teams will play-off amongst the teams in their own group as shown above.

Groups I, VIII, XII

For Groups has 14-16 teams will play-off amongst the teams in their own group as shown above.

Groups II, V - VI, XIII

• 1 vs. 4
• 2 vs. 3

For Groups has 11-13 teams will play-off amongst the teams in their own group as shown above.

Phase ll

In this round the remaining teams will still play in their representing group that they are in. The teams will be reseded after Phase 1 depending on their final overall record in regular season play.

For Groups has 8 or fewer teams will play-off amongst the teams in their own group after a rest from Phase 1.

Phase lll

For this phase the teams will remain in the same group, the only difference being is the repositioning of the qualified teams.

Phase IV

For this phase the teams will play against a different group rep., the only difference being is the repositioning of the qualified teams.

Quarter-finals

As of 2016–17 season, a new format for Ascenso that matches are elimination games. After 90 minutes, no extra time will be used meaning that direct penalties will determine the winner. All Ascenso games will play at FMF Toluca

Semi-finals

Same format as Quarter-finals.

Final

The final will be disputed between the highest seed of playoffs and lowest seed of playoffs

Promotion

The team that wins in the aggregate score will be crowned champion and will be promoted to the Serie A de México and the runner-up of the final will be promoted to the Serie B.

Certification Requirements

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 Headquarters and the Segunda Division de Mexico.
• I have no debt in the Statement of the Division or at the FMF.

List of Champions

Tercera División champions^[2]

References

External links

• Tercera División de México Official Website (in Spanish)