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Club Deportivo Guadalajara

Club Deportivo Guadalajara, commonly known as Chivas, is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Club Deportivo Guadalajara, commonly known as Chivas, is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Founded in 1906, it competes in Liga MX and is among the country’s most successful and best-known clubs. The club is one of the few Mexican teams never relegated from the top division.

History

The club was established in 1906 and changed its name from Unión Football Club to Guadalajara Football Club in 1908 before adopting its current name in 1923. It became one of the original clubs in Mexico’s professional national league.

Competitive record

Guadalajara is among the most successful clubs in Mexican football, with 12 league championships, several domestic cups, and multiple super cups. Internationally, it has won two CONCACAF titles and finished runner-up in the 2010 Copa Libertadores.

Identity and culture

The club is widely known as Chivas and is associated with red, white, and blue colours. It has a strong domestic following and is one of Mexico’s most recognizable football brands.

Stadium

The team plays at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco. The modern venue replaced earlier home grounds used by the club during its history.

Key facts

  • Club Deportivo Guadalajara was founded on 8 May 1906 as Unión Football Club.
  • It is one of the founding members of Mexico’s first professional national league.
  • The club has never been relegated from the top tier of Mexican football.
  • Its major honours include 12 Liga MX titles and 2 CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League titles.
  • The team plays home matches at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, part of the Guadalajara metropolitan area.
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Canadian context

The club has relevance for Canadian readers through North American football coverage and CONCACAF competitions, which include Canadian clubs and national-team context.

Frequently asked questions

What is Club Deportivo Guadalajara?
It is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, best known as Chivas.
When was the club founded?
It was founded on 8 May 1906 as Unión Football Club.
What league does it play in?
Club Deportivo Guadalajara competes in Liga MX, the top division of Mexican football.
What are the club’s nicknames?
The best-known nickname is Chivas; it is also called Guadalajara or, in some contexts, Rebaño Sagrado.
Has the club ever been relegated?
No. It is one of the few Mexican clubs that has never been relegated from the top division.

References

  1. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_Deportivo_Guadalajara_(México)
    Supports: Founding date, original name, location, and general club identity.
  2. Wikipedia (English) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.D._Guadalajara
    Supports: Club history, honours, stadium, ownership, and league participation.
  3. Chivas official website — https://www.chivasdecorazon.com.mx/club/historia
    Supports: Club history, founding year, ownership transition, and current presidency.
  4. Transfermarkt — https://www.transfermarkt.us/deportivo-guadalajara/datenfakten/verein/6711
    Supports: Official club name, founding date, address, and club details.