A "Classico" or Just a Rivalry?

Every season, fans get the possibility to experience and watch 157 games from the Mexican league regular season. Out of those 157 games, there are a couple of games that stand out to the fans. Like any other league in the world, Mexico has its rivalries and Classicos. In other parts in the world, a classico is like a derby. Many fans consider certain games classicos in Mexico, while others consider them just rivalries. Here is a list of Mexico's Classicos and rivalries.

America Vs Morelia

A so called classico or rivalry, many starting calling this “El Classico de las Televisoras”. People started calling this a classico, because both teams are owned by the two biggest TV stations in Mexico. America is owned by Televisa, while Morelia is owned by TV Azteca. Even if there has been some intense matches between these two, this game falls short from being a classico. One of the many games, that are promoted as a classico to raise TV ratings in Mexico.

Classico or Rivalry? Just another game

Estudiantes Vs Atlas or Chivas

All three being from the same city many have had failed attempts to call it a classico, which in the end it’s just another game from the week. The lack of fans Estudiantes has probably makes it easy to label it just "another game". A couple of people have tried to label it "Classico Civil"

Classico or Rivalry? Just another game

Pachuca Vs Cruz Azul

Another game that has been labeled at times as a classico, “El Classico Hidalguense” falls short from being a true classico. Does not help that for years both teams where owned by the same company….

Classico or Rivalry? Just another game

Pumas Vs Tigres

Called by many "El Classico Universitario", Tigres vs Pumas has lacked intensity to be called a classico. Only reason people have attempted to call this a classico is because both teams represent big Universities in Mexico.

Tigres, which represents Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL) and Pumas, representing Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM). In reality its not really a classico, and not really a rivalry. Many have even gone as far to calling it “El Classico Felino” because of both teams mascots being Tigres and Pumas.

Classico or Rivalry? Just another game

America Vs Pumas

Considered by many, “El Classico Capitalino”, this is much more a rivalry than a classico. Both teams being from Distrito Federal, this so called classico has been more famous because of what has happened outside the field. Fans from both teams, are known for their violence against each other.

Whenever this game is played, it seems that it has more police and security than fans. Some games have been intense between these two teams, and this is a possible rivalry that can be a classico in the future.

Classico or Rivalry? Rivalry

Pachuca Vs Chivas

These two have had some intense games recently. One of the most memorable games was in the Semi-finals of the Clausura 2006 liguilla where Pachuca scored a late minute goal to beat Chivas and advance to the finals, eventually winning that years title. They have also faced each other in the CONCACAF Champions League, were Pahuca beat Chivas in a dramatic game that ended in penalties. 

Recently this game has lost that a little intensity, but some still trying to make it a classico. Many believe that trying to make it a classico is a strategy by Pachuca, to gain credibility to be considered one of the top teams in Mexico.

Classico or Rivalry? Rivalry

Chivas Vs Pumas

This isn’t much more than just a rivalry. But some have tried to make it a classico in Mexico. It has had some games that can push for it to be a classico. Both teams faced each other in the Clausura 2004 final and since then this game has had an extra intensity on the field. But again, this game falls short of a classico, which at times just being just another game of the week.

Classico or Rivalry? Just another game

America Vs Cruz Azul

Much debate goes into this game if it’s a classico or just a rivalry. This rivalry started in the 1970’s, when in 1972 Cruz Azul beat America in the final, which some say created the “Classico Joven”. For many years, America shared its home, el Estadio Azteca, with Cruz Azul, which added to the rivalry.

This game does bring a lot of passion between fans, and as years passed more and more people consider it a classico, but many still oppose. Many have believed this is another attempt by TV stations labeling it a classico to bring in ratings, while others feel a strong passion for this game.

Classico or Rivalry? Rivalry, but close to being a classico

Irapuato Vs Leon

Honorable Mention

An honorable mention has to go to “El Classico del Bajio”. This is considered another great rivalry in Mexico. Fans and players from both teams have a strong passion for this game. Being close neighbors in the state of Guanajuato, Leon and Irapuato are a rivalry similar to Chivas vs Atlas or Monterrey vs Tigres, they both want to be the best in the region.

Since both teams have spent much of their history in Mexico’s “Division de Acenso” (Second Division) this classico does not get the attention it deserves in the league.

Classico or Rivalry? Classico (Classico del Bajio)

Monterrey Vs Tigres

This was a game that began its rivalry during the 1970’s. Both teams play in the same city of Monterrey in the state of Nuevo Leon. This rivalry first began like many other rivalries around the world, where two biggest teams in the same city competed for honor and to be called the “best in the city”.

These are intense and great matches most of the time. Fans in the city Monterrey are considered the best in all of Mexico, so when these two teams meet, the expectations are high from both teams.

Classico vs Rivalry? Classico (Classico Regiomontano, Classico del Norte)

Chivas Vs Atlas

The oldest rivalry in the city of Guadalajara, the Classico Tapatio escalated to one of the top 3 classicos in Mexico.  Atlas and Chivas have been some of the oldest teams of the country, making this classico, the oldest classico in Mexico. Both teams are from the same city, but the real reason for rivalry was the social classes of each team. Atlas was considered the rich club of Guadalajara while Chivas was the poor team. 

The clash of social classes made the game a very intense rivalry and even after almost 100 years, this Classico still has a strong passion between its fans.

Classico or Rivalry? Classico (Classico Tapatio)

America Vs Chivas

America vs. Guadalajara, Chivas vs Aguilas, America vs. Chivas, how ever you want to call it, this is the “Classico de Classicos” The biggest game in the entire Mexican league, with the two most popular teams going head to head. This is the game that gets all the attention a week before the game.

This Classico began to flourish during the 1960’s. The rivalry continued to grow with intense games, trash talk, and even an intense brawl during the game in 1986. Since then both teams have given memorable games, during the regular season and “liguilla”. This game is a sure sell out in any stadium, and its the highest TV rated game in Mexico, with also getting high TV ratings in the United States. One of the most anticipated games during the regular season.

Classico or Rivalry? Classico (El Classico de Classicos, Classico Nacional, El Super Classico)