1996–97 Copa México
The 1996–97 Copa México was the 67th staging of the Copa México Afootball tournament and the 40th staging in the professional era. The competition did not return until 2012.
The competition started on June 28, 1996, and concluded on August 3, 1996, with the final, in which Cruz Azul lifted the trophy for second time, with a 2-0 victory over Toros Neza.
For this edition was played by 33 teams, between Primera División and Primera División A, where the group winners advance to the semi-finals. In the qualifying round, a penalty shootout follows if the game is a tie after regulation time. the group stage was a 1-game serie.
Group stage
Group 1
Teams from Primera División: Atlante F.C., Celaya, Morelia, Toros Neza, Pachuca and TolucaTeams from Primera División A: Cruz Azul Hidalgo, Irapuato and San Luis
Group 2
Teams from Primera División: Atlas, Guadalajara, León and Tecos UAGTeams from Primera División A: Hermosillo, La Piedad, San Francisco and Tijuana
Group 3
Teams from Primera División: Club América, Monterrey and Santos LagunaTeams from Primera División A: Saltillo, Tampico Madero, Tigres UANL, Correcaminos UAT and U. de N.L.
Group 4
Teams from Primera División: Cruz Azul, Necaxa, Puebla, Pumas UNAM and VeracruzTeams from Primera División A: Acapulco, Marte and Zacatepec