Bravos de Juárez Make History With First-Ever Liga MX Playoff Appearance

Bravos de Juárez just experienced a historic breakthrough. After six years in Mexico’s top division and 12 straight tournaments without qualifying, the border-town club secured its first-ever spot in the Liga MX Liguilla. Juárez entered as the eighth seed, lost their first Play-In match, then bounced back with grit to eliminate Pachuca — earning a ticket to the Quarterfinals, where Toluca awaits.

The road to this moment was anything but easy. Since their arrival in Apertura 2019, replacing Lobos BUAP, Juárez spent years battling near the bottom of the standings. Season after season ended just outside playoff contention, often flirting with danger in the relegation coefficient, fueling doubts about whether the club could truly belong in the first division.

Their first close call came in Apertura 2022. Juárez finished 11th and reached the repechaje vs Toluca — but fell 3–0 at the Nemesio Diez. Two years later, in the 2024 Clausura, they reached the Play-In again — this time as the ninth seed — only to lose in penalties to Pumas.

But this season changed everything. Juárez finished eighth, entered the Play-In, adapted after their initial defeat, and then pushed past Pachuca in a dramatic, pressure-filled match. The victory triggered pure joy from supporters who had waited so long for this breakthrough.

Now, the club prepares to face Toluca in the Quarterfinals — a matchup that represents a chance to break even more barriers and prove that Juárez can compete head-to-head with Liga MX’s most established clubs.

Bravos arrive to their first Liguilla full of belief, personality, and a story of resilience — one that began with their administrative promotion in 2019 and has now culminated in an unforgettable milestone.