The Liga TDP , formerly called Tercera División de México is the fourth level division in the Mexican football league system. It has 225 teams divided into 17 groups. In the 2009-10 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 final phase tournament for the entire season.
The Liga TDP currently features 225 teams divided into 17 groups. There are 38 teams with filials (affiliates) in the Liga MX, Liga de Expansión MX or Liga Premier, which are not eligible for promotion. The Liga TDP 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 17 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.
Promotion
Four teams from the Liga TDP will be promoted to Liga Premier, Champions, runner-up and the two zone finalists. 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 two zone finalists 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, Quarterfinals, Semifinals 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]
Final Phase
Round of 32
The 64 teams qualified 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]
1 vs. 32
2 vs. 31
3 vs. 30
4 vs. 29
5 vs. 28
6 vs. 27
7 vs. 26
8 vs. 25
9 vs. 24
10 vs. 23
11 vs. 22
12 vs. 21
13 vs. 20
14 vs. 19
15 vs. 18
16 vs. 17
Round of 16
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.
1 vs. 16
2 vs. 15
3 vs. 14
4 vs. 13
5 vs. 12
6 vs. 11
7 vs. 10
8 vs. 9
Quarterfinals
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.
1 vs. 8
2 vs. 7
3 vs. 6
4 vs. 5
Semifinals
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.
1 vs. 4
2 vs. 3
Zone Finals
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.
Final/Campeón de Campeones
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 winner will be crowned champion of the Liga TDP and will be promoted to the Liga Premier. The champion and runner-up will be placed on Serie A or Serie B according to the social, sporting, financial and legal requirements of the third level division. The two zone finalists will be placed on Serie B.[2]
Certification requirements
For Liga TDP 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 Liga Premier 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 Liga Premier.
Having no debt in the statement of the division or at the FMF.
