Grupo Salinas, owners of Mazatlán FC, announced its decision to sell the Sinaloa club late last year, but what happens next?
In December 2025, a deal was signed to hand the professional rights of Mazatlán FC over to Atlante FC, meaning that Los Potros will return to the top flight of Mexican football for the first time in 12 years. Atlante FC currently play in the Liga MX de Expansíon, Mexico’s second division, where they have won three titles in six years.
Whilst the deal brings an emotional return for a former Liga MX champion, the future of one of Mexico’s newest clubs looms large.
Story of Mazatlán FC
Founded in 2020 during the height of COVID-19, Los Cañoneros were immediately invited into Mexico’s first division due to its financial backing from Grupo Salinas.
But across their five years of existence, the club has failed to finish higher than 10th in the league. Its greatest achievement came in the 2024 Leagues Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals before losing to the Philadelphia Union.
Their struggles to establish themselves as a competitive Liga MX side were a contributing factor in the sudden sale. The club has cycled through nine managers in six years since their founding. Even the Mexican managerial legend Víctor Manuel Vucetich couldn’t turn them around.
In terms of players, the club’s most recognizable figure had been former Chivas academy product and Pumas winger César Huerta. He only played a single tournament season for Los Cañoneros, and the player pool hasn’t generated anyone close to his stature or visibility since.
What’s next for Mazatlán FC?
While no official confirmation has been made regarding the future of Mazatlán FC, one thing for certain is that the club will lose its place in the Liga MX.
Possibilities which remain open is that the club reforms under a new identidy and rejoins the Mexican football system in the Liga MX de Expansíon or in an ameteur league, with the view to earn a place back into the professional leagues.
But the one scenario which all Mazatlán fans fear is that the club completely disappears.
As we draw closer to the end of the season, fears will continue to mount that there is no future for the club.
Story ends with the Leagues Cup?
Mazatlán, like every Liga MX team, has been drawn into the 2026 Leagues Cup, with the official fixtures being released on Friday.
Phase One will see Mazatlán face the Vancouver Whitecaps, Real Salt Lake and Minnesota in what could be the very final action of this club’s existence.
Despite the fixture announcements yesterday, no official confirmation has appeared on any of the club’s social media pages, unlike every other club set to participate in the competition this summer.
The uncertainity regarding Mazatlán’s future will soon become clear, but whether they will actually take part in the League’ Cup or not remains to be seen.
