The wait is about to end and the ball will roll again in the country’s stadiums with the beginning of the 2026 Apertura Tournament of the Guatemalan National League, a new season that promises emotions, intense rivalries and great expectations for the 12 clubs that will seek to start on the right foot from the first day.
The curtain on the 2026-2027 season is about to open in the highest circuit of Guatemalan soccer. After more than two months of inactivity, the fans will once again enjoy the passion of the National League, where each point will be fundamental in the fight for classification and the title.
The team to beat will be Municipal, current champion and top winner in the history of Guatemalan soccer. The Scarlets will begin the defense of the crown won in Clausura 2026, when they defeated Xelajú MC in the final to add a new title to their showcases.
The new season will also feature new faces. After the relegations of Mictlán and Achuapa, their places will be occupied by Deportivo San Pedro, which will make its historic debut in the National League after a memorable campaign in the category of Promotion, and for Suchitepéquez, one of the country’s traditional clubs that returns to the top circuit with the aim of recovering the prominence that characterized it for many years.
With renewed squads, new sporting projects and the hope of achieving glory, the 12 teams are preparing to compete in a championship that looks very competitive from the first day.
When does the 2026 Apertura Tournament start?
The activity will begin on Friday, July 24, when the curtain rises on the championship with two matches. The opening day will start at 18 hours with the duel between Antigua GFC and Marquense. At 20 hours It will be the turn of the defending champion, Municipal, who will host Deportivo Mixco in one of the most anticipated matches of the start.
Three commitments are scheduled for Saturday, July 25. The historic debut of Deportivo San Pedro in the National League will be at 13 hours in front of the Xelajú MC team. Later, Aurora FC will face Guastatoya, at 15 hoursand the Saturday day will conclude with the confrontation between Malacateco and Cobán Imperial, at 19 hours.
The first date will conclude on Sunday, July 26, when Comunicaciones receives Suchitepéquez at 17 hoursin a duel that will mark the official return of the deer to the highest category.