All you need to know about the MLS vs. LIGA MX competition, League's Cup, including dates, format, where to watch, teams, and history.
What is Leagues Cup?
Leagues Cup is a club competition organized by Concacaf, the governing body of North American, Central American, and Caribbean soccer.
The competition features 36 clubs total from LIGA MX (Mexico) and MLS (USA & Canada) competing in an interleague showcase. Leagues Cup offers qualification routes to the Concacaf Champions Cup. The champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher qualify for the prestigious club tournament, and earn a direct place in the Round of 16.
The Concacaf Champions Cup then serves as the pathway to FIFA international club competitions, and the ability to represent Concacaf on a global stage.
When is the 2026 Leagues Cup?
The 2026 edition of League's Cup will begin on August 4, and conclude with the Leagues Cup Final on September 6, 2026.
Group Stage: August 4 - 11, 2026
Quarterfinals: August 25 - 27, 2026
Semifinals: September 1 - 2, 2026
Third-Place Playoff: September 6, 2026
Final: September 6, 2026
Where to watch the Leagues Cup in the USA
All 54 Leagues Cup matches will broadcast on Apple TV, available in over 100 countries and regions.
Select matches will be also be available on FOX Sports, TelevisaUnivision, TSN, and RDS in the USA, Canada, or Mexico.
What is the Leagues Cup format?
Leagues Cup will follow the same format that was introduced in 2025, emphasizing consistent interleague play.
Phase One features 54 matches, at contested between MLS and LIGA MX clubs. Results from the first phase determine separate Leagues Cup standings for MLS and LIGA MX, with the top four clubs from each league advancing to the quarterfinals.
MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups will also be guaranteed in the quarterfinals, but are not guaranteed in the semifinals, third place match, and finals.
The Leagues Cup format creates meaningful cross-border rivalries that define the competition.
What teams are playing in Leagues Cup?
A total of 36 clubs will take place in the 2026 Leagues Cup, including 18 teams from MLS, and 18 teams from Liga MX.
The top-nine teams from each MLS Conference (Eastern and Western) from the previous season earn qualification for Leagues Cup.
MLS Clubs | Liga MX Clubs |
|---|---|
Austin FC | Atlas FC |
Charlotte FC | Club América |
Chicago Fire FC | Atlético de San Luis |
FC Cincinnati | Club Guadalajara |
Columbus Crew | Cruz Azul |
FC Dallas | FC Juárez |
Inter Miami CF | Club León |
LAFC | Mazatlán FC |
Minnestoa United | CF Monterrey |
Nashville SC | Club Necaxa |
New York City FC | CF Pachuca |
Orlando City FC | Club Puebla |
Philadelphia Union | Pumas UNAM |
Portland Timbers | Club Querétaro |
Real Salt Lake | Santos Laguna |
San Diego FC | Tigres UNAL |
Seattle Sounders FC | Club Tijuana |
Vancouver Whitecaps | Toluca FC |
History of Leagues Cup
Leagues Cup officially launched it's first edition in 2023, and has rapidly gained fan, club, and player support.
MLS teams have won all three of the former Leagues Cup finals. Inter Miami won the inaugural tournament in 2023, followed by the Columbus Crew in 2024, and most recently the Seattle Sounders in 2025.
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