2026 LFA season
Sports season
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The 2026 LFA season was the 11th season of operation (10th season of play) of the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA), the top American football league in Mexico. The regular season began on 9 April and ended on 23 May, with the playoffs beginning on 30 May and ending with the Tazón México IX, the league's championship game, on 7 June.
| 2026 LFA season | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 April – 23 May |
| Teams | 7 |
| Tazón México IX | |
| Date | 7 June |
| Venue | Estadio Universitario UACH, Chihuahua City |
| Champions | Caudillos de Chihuahua |
The Caudillos de Chihuahua defeated the Osos de Monterrey in Tazón México IX, becoming the first team to win three Tazón México championships.
Preseason events
Draft
The LFA draft was held on 17 January. The first three rounds were held in person in Mexico City, while the latter five were held virtually. The Reyes de Jalisco selected Joseph Cortés from ITESM Puebla with the first overall pick.[1]
Player selections
| 2026 LFA draft | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rnd. | Pick No. | LFA Team | Player | Pos. | School | |
| 1 | 1 | Reyes | Joseph Cortés | DL | ITESM Puebla | |
| 1 | 2 | Gallos Negros | Roberto Villalón | OL | UDLAP | |
| 1 | 3 | Raptors | Daniel Díaz | WR | UVM | |
| 1 | 4 | Dinos | Steven Zambrano | OL | ITESM Monterrey | |
| 1 | 5 | Caudillos | Alonso Meraz | DB | ITESM CEM | |
| 1 | 6 | Osos | Pablo Treviño | DE | UANL | |
| 1 | 7 | Mexicas | Jonathan Castañeda | WR | ITESM CEM | |
| 2 | 8 | Reyes | Damián Cruz | OL | UACH | |
| 2 | 9 | Gallos Negros | Mariano Hernández | DL | UNAM | |
| 2 | 10 | Gallos Negros | Alí Flores | RB | UDLAP | |
| 2 | 11 | Dinos | Sergio Reséndiz | QB | UANL | |
| 2 | 12 | Mexicas | Diego Rodríguez | OL | Anáhuac Norte | |
| 2 | 13 | Osos | Óscar Soto | DL | ITESM Monterrey | |
| 2 | 14 | Mexicas | Luis Reyes | OL | IPN (Águilas Blancas) | |
| 3 | 15 | Osos | Eduardo Martínez | RB | UANL | |
| 3 | 16 | Gallos Negros | Alan Herrera | QB/WR/K | IPN (Águilas Blancas) | |
| 3 | 17 | Raptors | Erick Andrade | FS | FES Acatlán | |
| 3 | 18 | Reyes | Renato Ávila | DT | FES Acatlán | |
| 3 | 19 | Caudillos | Benjamín Huez | DE | UANL | |
| 3 | 20 | Dinos | Vinicio García | WR | UANL | |
| 3 | 21 | Mexicas | Carlos Navarrete | DL | ITESM CEM | |
| 4 | 22 | Reyes | Axel Medina | QB | IPN (Burros Blancos) | |
| 4 | 23 | Gallos Negros | Emiliano Jiménez | LB | ITESM Querétaro | |
| 4 | 24 | Raptors | Felipe Borjas | DL | ITESM CEM | |
| 4 | 25 | Dinos | Brian Lezama | OL | UAdeC | |
| 4 | 26 | Caudillos | José Limón | WR | UACH | |
| 4 | 27 | Osos | Alejandro Rodríguez | DT | UANL | |
| 4 | 28 | Osos | Edwyn Cabello | CB | UANL | |
| 4 | 29 | Osos | Luis Olvera | WR | UANL | |
| 5 | 30 | Reyes | Víctor Mellado | LB | ITESM Puebla | |
| 5 | 31 | Gallos Negros | Octavio García | DL | Anáhuac Querétaro | |
| 5 | 32 | Raptors | Gerardo Barocio | QB/WR | IPN (Búhos) | |
| 5 | 33 | Dinos | Isaac Briones | WR | UAdeC | |
| 5 | 34 | Caudillos | Armando Guerrero | DB | ITESM Puebla | |
| 5 | 35 | Mexicas | Irving Robles | FS | IPN (Burros Blancos) | |
| 5 | 36 | Gallos Negros | Andrés Tovar | WR | Anáhuac Cancún | |
| 6 | 37 | Reyes | Gustavo Olivares | OL | IPN (Búhos) | |
| 6 | 38 | Gallos Negros | Orlando Pérez | OL | FES Acatlán | |
| 6 | 39 | Raptors | Jesús Alcalá | RB | IPN (Águilas Blancas) | |
| 6 | 40 | Dinos | Ángel Carrizales | OL | UAdeC | |
| 6 | 41 | Caudillos | Mauricio Martínez | LB | ITESM Monterrey | |
| 6 | 42 | Mexicas | Samuel Flores | LB | UNAM | |
| 6 | 43 | Mexicas | Alonso Guerrero | DL | UNAM | |
| 7 | 44 | Reyes | Elías Montini | LB | Anáhuac Cancún | |
| 7 | 45 | Raptors | Isaac Ávalos | OL | Tepeyac | |
| 7 | 46 | Dinos | Reynaldo Blanco | K | UANL | |
| 7 | 47 | Mexicas | Maximiliano García | DL | Anáhuac Norte | |
| 7 | 48 | Mexicas | Emilio Méndez | WR | IPN (Burros Blancos) | |
| 8 | 49 | Reyes | Daniel Canales | OL | ITESM Monterrey | |
| 8 | 50 | Raptors | Rogelio Aranda | OL | IPN (Burros Blancos) | |
| 8 | 51 | Dinos | Jonathan Montes | DT | UANL | |
| 8 | 52 | Mexicas | Patricio Santisteban | DB | ITESM Monterrey | |
| 8 | 53 | Mexicas | Arath Ríos | RB | UVM | |
| 8 | 54 | Dinos | Rodrigo Motte | OL | UDLAP | |
Team changes
The Arcángeles de Puebla were unexpectedly absent from the draft.[1] Days later, it was revealed that the team had been excluded from the draft due to disagreements with the new LFA leadership, but that Puebla would remain in the league.[3] Despite reports of the Arcángeles submitting the proper documentation,[4] they were ultimately excluded from the 2026 season schedule, which was released on 12 February.[5] The team claimed that the LFA demanded that they cede 90% of the team's shares, even after they paid MXN$2.3 million in outstanding debts under threat of expulsion.[6] The magazine Proceso called it an "extortion".[6]
A press release from the Arcángeles stated: "[T]hey failed to take control of the team from us. However, they seek to take control of the location with the intention of returning to Puebla in 2027, ignoring the work, history, and effort already built".[6] 32 of the team's players were later reassigned to the remaining seven teams via dispersal draft.[7][8]
Meanwhile, the Galgos de Tijuana took the 2025 season off and planned to return in 2026.[9][10] However, this did not materialize, leaving the league with seven teams for the season.
Teams
Stadiums, locations and personnel
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caudillos | Chihuahua City, Chihuahua | Estadio Olímpico de la UACH | 22,000 |  Federico Landeros[11] |
| Dinos | Saltillo, Coahuila | Estadio Jorge A. Castro Medina | 3,476 | Javier Adame[12][13] |
| Gallos Negros | Querétaro City, Querétaro | Estadio Olímpico de Querétaro | 4,600 | Raúl Herrera |
| Mexicas | Tlalpan, Mexico City | ITESM CCM | 2,500 | Félix Buendía[14] |
| Osos | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Estadio Banorte | 10,057 | Jorge Valdéz[15] |
| Raptors | Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico | Club Comanches | 1,500 | Horacio García[16] |
| Reyes | Guadalajara, Jalisco | La Fortaleza Azul | 3,500 | Willy Valdovinos[17] |
Coaching changes
| In-season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Departing Coach | New Coach | Date | Reference |
| Gallos Negros | Carlos Strevel | Raúl Herrera | 15 April | [19][20] |
Regular season
Standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, PF = Points For, PA = Points against
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | PF | PA | Stk | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caudillos | 6 | 5 | 1 | 187 | 91 | L1 | Advance to Semi-finals |
| 2 | Osos | 6 | 5 | 1 | 169 | 102 | W4 | |
| 3 | Dinos | 6 | 4 | 2 | 159 | 127 | W1 | |
| 4 | Raptors | 6 | 3 | 3 | 145 | 158 | L1 | |
| 5 | Reyes | 6 | 2 | 4 | 117 | 119 | L1 | |
| 6 | Gallos Negros | 6 | 1 | 5 | 89 | 158 | L3 | |
| 7 | Mexicas | 6 | 1 | 5 | 76 | 187 | W1 | |
| Tiebreakers | ||||||||
| 1. Head-to-head 2. Average between points scored and points against 3. Points against 4. Best net points in common games 5. Best net points in all games 6. Coin toss | ||||||||
Source: LFA
Playoffs
| Semifinals 30 May | Tazón México IX 7 June | ||||||||
| 1 | Caudillos | 25 | |||||||
| 4 | Raptors | 23 | |||||||
| 1 | Caudillos | 24 | |||||||
| 2 | Osos | 12 | |||||||
| 2 | Osos | 33 | |||||||
| 3 | Dinos | 5 | |||||||
Tazón México IX
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Date | 7 June 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kickoff time | 7:00 p.m. CST (UTC-6) | ||||||
| Stadium | Estadio Universitario UACH Chihuahua City | ||||||
| MVP | Dishon McNary, cornerback | ||||||
| TV in the United States | |||||||
| Network | ESPN2 (Mexico) Disney+ (Mexico) Telemundo Deportes (U.S.) Peacock (U.S.) | ||||||
| Announcers | Javier Trejo Garay (play-by-play) Pablo Viruega, Mauricio "Tyson" López
and Emilio León (analysts) | ||||||
Tazón México IX was held on 7 June at the Estadio Universitario UACH in Chihuahua City.
The Caudillos de Chihuahua defeated the Osos de Monterrey, 24–12, to win their LFA-record third Tazón México championship. Dishon McNary was named the Tazón México MVP.
Background
On 19 May, the LFA announced that the Estadio Universitario UACH, home of the Caudillos de Chihuahua, was selected as the Tazón México site. It marked the second Tazón México hosted in Chihuahua, following Tazón México VI in 2023.[22][23] It was also announced that a special edition of the championship trophy would be presented to the winner in honor of the league's 10th season of play.[24] The trophy was presented at a media day held at the Nido de Águilas field in Chihuahua the day before the game.[25]
The Caudillos came into the game looking to win their LFA-record third Tazón México title, while the Osos were vying for their first Tazón México title since their time as the Fundidores de Monterrey.[26]
Tazón México IX was broadcast on ESPN2 and Disney+ in Mexico, and on Telemundo Deportes and Peacock in the United States.[27][28]
Rock band El Gran Silencio performed after the game.[29]
Regular-season statistical leaders
| Category | Player | Team | Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offense | |||
| Passing yards | Jeremy Johnson | Caudillos | 1,860 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 20 | ||
| Rushing yards | Chance Bell | Dinos | 420 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | Timothy Whitfield | Osos | 6 |
| Receptions | Juwan Manigo | Caudillos | 37 |
| Receiving yards | Keyon Lesane Sr. | Caudillos | 642 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 10 | ||
| Defense | |||
| Tackles | Vincent Sullivan | Dinos | 68 |
| Sacks | Tramel Logan, Jr. | Mexicas | 4 |
| Rakweon Ramsey | Reyes | ||
| Bryan Rice | Reyes | ||
| Interceptions | Marquise Manning | Gallos Negros | 3 |
| Special teams | |||
| Punt return yards | Juwan Manigo | Caudillos | 199 |
| Kick return yards | Joan Medina | Dinos | 310 |
| Field goals made | Jesús Aguirre | Osos | 6 |
| Gabriel Ballinas | Dinos | ||
Source: LFA
Awards
Players of the week
| Week | Offensive Player | Defensive Player | Refs. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Pos. | Team | Player | Pos. | Team | ||
| 1 | No awards given | No awards given | |||||
| 2 | Juwan Manigo | WR | Caudillos | Esteban Solares | LB | Raptors | |
| 3 | Mike Patiño | QB | Gallos Negros | Elorm Lumor | LB | Osos | |
| 4 | Keyon Lesane Sr. | WR | Caudillos | Marquise Manning | CB | Gallos Negros | |
| 5 | Juwan Manigo | WR | Caudillos | Karrheem Darrington | DB | Raptors | |
| 6 | Shelton Eppler | QB | Osos | Matthew Barrett | LB | Reyes | |
| 7 | Brandon Kyles | QB | Mexicas | Vincent Sullivan | LB | Dinos | |
| Semifinals | Julio Covarrubias | RB | Caudillos | Brian Hughes Jr. | DB | Osos | |
Venture capital funding
On 25 November 2025, it was announced that the league had received foreign backing from Global Sports Capital Partners, who pledged an investment of $100 million over a period of at least seven years, in a move branded as LFA 2.0.
In March 2026, the LFA announced a historic broadcast deal with ESPN, who acquired the exclusive rights to air all regular season and playoff games in Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean.[30][31] Games were broadcast on ESPN2 and Disney+.[32] Starting week 4, games were also broadcast in the United States by Telemundo Deportes via its livestreaming channel, Telemundo Deportes Ahora.[33][34]
The league also reached a three-year sponsorship deal with Finsus, a financial institution, which included changing its official name to LFA Finsus.[35][36]
The LFA welcomed several current and former NFL players as special guests to various games during the season:
- Will Hernandez, Reyes at Gallos Negros, Week 1[37][38]
- Isaac Alarcón, Osos at Caudillos, Week 2[39]
- Sam Darnold, Mexicas at Osos, Week 4[40][41]
- Emmitt Smith, Gallos Negros at Caudillos, Week 5[42][43]