Lionel Messi and Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup in club history last season, and with fresh faces at the club are looking to go back-to-back.
The Los Angeles Galaxy have been far and away the most successful team in MLS history, winning six MLS Cup trophies, and reaching four additional finals.
2026 will be the 30th edition of the MLS Cup Playoffs after the tournament began in MLS' inaugural 1996 season.
2026 MLS Cup Playoff Dates
The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin on November 18, 2026, after the conclusion of MLS' regular season.
The MLS Cup Final will be held on December 18, 2026. Specific dates for Round 1, Conference Semifinals, and Conference Finals will be officially announced on a later date.
The playoffs have been pushed to slightly later dates compared to previous seasons due to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
MLS Cup Playoffs Format
The MLS Cup Playoffs feature five rounds, beginning with a Wild Card match, and culminating in the East vs. West, MLS Cup Final.
Wild Card Round: No. 8 seed hosts No. 9 seed in a single elimination match.
Round 1: The top-seven seeds and the winner of the Wild Card match compete in a best-of-three series. The higher seed hosts the first and third game if necessary. The No. 1 seed plays the winner of the Wild Card match. Matches are decided by penalty kicks if tied after 90 minutes.
Conference Semifinals: Single elimination match, hosted by the higher seeded team.
Conference Finals: Single elimination match, hosted by the higher seeded team. Winner is crowned Conference Champions.
MLS Cup Final: Single elimination match, hosted by the higher seeded team. Winner is crowned MLS Cup Champions.
How do teams qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs?
The top nine teams from the Eastern and Western Conference tables qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Seeding is determined by the amount of points gained in the regular season. A win equals three points, a draw equals one point, and a loss is zero points.
The eight and ninth seeds in each conference play each other in the Wild Card match to determine the final eight teams that reach Round 1.
MLS Cup: All-Time Winners by Year
Year | Winner | Score | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Inter Miami | 3-1 | Vancouver Whitecaps |
2024 | LA Galaxy | 2-1 | New York Red Bulls |
2023 | 2-1 | LAFC | |
2022 | 3-3 (3-0 pens) | Philadelphia Union | |
2021 | 11 (4-2 pens) | NYCFC | |
2020 | Columbus Crew | 3-0 | Seattle Sounders |
2019 | 3-1 | Toronto FC | |
2018 | 2-0 | Portland Timbers | |
2017 | 2-0 | Seattle Sounds | |
2016 | Seattle Sounders | 0-0 (5-4 pens) | Toronto FC |
2015 | Portland Timbers | 2-1 | Columbus Crew |
2014 | LA Galaxy | 2-1 OT | New England Revolution |
2013 | 1-1 (7-6 pens) | Real Salt Lake | |
2012 | LA Galaxy | 3-1 | Houston Dynamo |
2011 | LA Galaxy | 1-0 | Houston Dynamo |
2010 | 2-1 OT | FC Dallas | |
2009 | 1-1 (5-4 pens) | LA Galaxy | |
2008 | Columbus Crew | 3-1 | New York Red Bulls |
2007 | 2-1 | New England Revolution | |
2006 | Houston Dynamo | 1-1 (4-3 pens) | New England Revolution |
2005 | LA Galaxy | 1-0 OT | New England Revolution |
2004 | 3-2 | Kansas City Wizards | |
2003 | 4-2 | Chicago Fire | |
2002 | LA Galaxy | 1-0 OT | New England Revolution |
2001 | San Jose Earthquakes | 2-1 OT | LA Galaxy |
2000 | Kansas City Wizards | 1-0 | Chicago Fire |
1999 | D.C. United | 2-0 | LA Galaxy |
1998 | 2-0 | D.C. United | |
1997 | D.C. United | 2-1 | Colorado Rapids |
1996 | D.C. United | 3-2 OT | LA Galaxy |
