As early as 1906[1][2] clubs around the city of Guadalajara had been founded, and they began playing friendly matches. The first clubs to be established in 1906 were Guadalajara, Atlético Occidental, Excelsior, Liceo de Varones, Cuauhtémoc and Iturbide. Most of the players who played for these clubs were workers and miners from the factories and mines around the city. These first clubs faced problems, such as learning the rules of this new sport, as well as learning how to make the ball which they needed to play. The balls they had been introduced to had been brought by wealthy men returning from Europe.
In 1908 Rafael Orozco, President of Club Guadalajara pitched an idea to create a league, and so in that same year the Liga Tapatía de fútbol was founded with Rafael Orozco as president, Alberto de la Mora as secretary, and Agustín Arce as treasurer.
The two first tournaments were played in various fields and amateur styles, and thus the two first titles went to Guadalajara. By 1910, due to the Mexican Revolution, most of the fields had been affected by fighting, making it difficult for the tournament to be played. Nonetheless, the tournament went on, with Liceo de Varones taking the cup that year. That club was mostly made up by seminarians. Guadalajara and Liceo de Varones became the first derby in the league.
In 1916 Atlas was founded by young returning students that had studied in England, and they brought a different style to Mexico. This club represented the high-class society in the city of Guadalajara, and became rivals with Guadalajara, therefore quickly becoming a Derby, considered the oldest in Mexico, and is referred to as the Clásico Tapatío.
The following years, from 1917 to 1921, Atlas due to the experience they had gained playing in England—went on to win four consecutive leagues. That all came to and end in 1922 when Guadalajara, with new and experienced players, managed to with the next four titles, from 1922 to 1925, once again claiming supremacy in the league.
In 1926 the Primera Fuerza invited a club from the league to play, and so the Selección Jalisco was formed, made up with the best players from Guadalajara, Atlas, Oro, Nacional and Morelos. With good performance by the Selección Jalisco, many players did return to their clubs, signed by the top clubs in Mexico City. This had an effect on the Tapatio League, but would also encourage other players to take their spot, which helped the league to continue.