The wait is over. This Thursday, July 16, 2026, Mexican soccer is experiencing a historic day with the clash between Club Necaxa and Atlante FC at the Victoria Stadium. The match, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. central Mexico time, marks the curtain start of the Apertura 2026 tournament and symbolizes the reunion of two of the most traditional institutions of national football.

The EXACT TIME to watch the game

The time selected for this match is no coincidence, the duel has been baptized as The Father of All Classics, given that their rivalry predates the most high-profile confrontations in current Mexican soccer. Choosing the 7:00 p.m. time slot for this Thursday not only allows the game to function as the opening event of the season, but also guarantees the maximum possible audience to witness the official return of Atlante to the First Division after an absence of 12 years.
For fans, this late night schedule is ideal to follow the return of the Iron Colts. After acquiring the franchise that belonged to Mazatlan and under the technical direction of Miguel Piojo Herrera, Atlante returns to the top circuit with the mission of regaining its place in the elite. Facing the Rayos del Necaxa at their home, the Victoria Stadium, under the lights of the hydro-warm evening, adds a nostalgic and competitive ingredient that promises to be one of the most talked about moments of this day 1.

The long-awaited return of the Iron Colts

The return of Atlante to the First Division is, without a doubt, the most striking event of this start of the tournament. After twelve years of absence, during which the club established itself as one of the most competitive teams in the MX Expansion League, the Potros have managed to materialize their return to the maximum circuit after obtaining the necessary certification and acquiring the franchise that previously belonged to Mazatlan FC. This new stage not only means the reunion with the highest category, but also the return of the club to Mexico City, where they will have the historic Azteca Stadium as their headquarters. Under the command of Miguel Herrera and with the incorporation of reinforcements such as Martin Fernandez, Cristobal Alfaro, Octavio Vazquez and Paolo Adame, the Barça institution seeks to write a new chapter worthy of its history, reaffirming its identity as the People’s Team before a fan who has patiently waited for this moment.

Read also: