Leagues Cup 2026 Explained: Teams, Regional Groups, Format, Schedule, Live Streaming

The Leagues Cup 2026 runs from August 4 to September 6, 2026, pitting 18 MLS clubs against all 18 Liga MX sides in a Concacaf-sanctioned interleague tournament.

It features fully cross-league matchups through the quarterfinals, awards three spots in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, and for the first time, the Leagues Cup includes matches in Mexico.

Leagues Cup 2026 Participating Teams

MLS (18 clubs)

The top nine from each conference that reached the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs:

• Austin FC
• Charlotte FC
• Chicago Fire FC
• FC Cincinnati
• Columbus Crew
• FC Dallas
• Inter Miami CF
• LAFC
• Minnesota United FC
• Nashville SC
• New York City FC
• Orlando City SC
• Philadelphia Union
• Portland Timbers
• Real Salt Lake
• San Diego FC
• Seattle Sounders FC
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Liga MX (all 18 clubs)

• Atlas FC
• Club América
• Atlético de San Luis
• Club Guadalajara (Chivas)
• Cruz Azul
• FC Juárez
• Club León
• CF Monterrey
• Club Necaxa
• CF Pachuca
• Club Puebla
• Pumas UNAM
• Club Querétaro
• Santos Laguna
• Tigres UANL
• Club Tijuana
• Toluca FC
• Atlante FC

Leagues Cup Format

There are no classic round-robin groups. Teams are divided into two regions, Eastern and Western, with 18 teams each. Within each region, clubs are sorted into three tiers based on 2025 rankings.

• Tier 1: Teams ranked 1–3 from each league
• Tier 2: Teams ranked 4–6 from each league
• Tier 3: Teams ranked 7–9 from each league

Six regional groupings of six teams each are formed by drawing one team per league from each of the three tiers within a region. Every team plays three matches exclusively against opponents from the opposite league in its regional grouping.

Eastern Regional Groups

Group 1

• Tier 1: FC Cincinnati (MLS), Pachuca (Liga MX)
• Tier 2: Charlotte FC (MLS), Pumas UNAM (Liga MX)
• Tier 3: Columbus Crew (MLS), Atlas (Liga MX)

Group 2

• Tier 1: Inter Miami CF (MLS), Monterrey (Liga MX)
• Tier 2: Nashville SC (MLS), León (Liga MX)
• Tier 3: Orlando City SC (MLS), Atlético San Luis (Liga MX)

Group 3

• Tier 1: Cruz Azul (Liga MX), Philadelphia Union (MLS)
• Tier 2: New York City FC (MLS), Necaxa (Liga MX)
• Tier 3: Chicago Fire FC (MLS), Santos Laguna (Liga MX)

Western Regional Groups

Group 4

• Tier 1: Tigres UANL (Liga MX), Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
• Tier 2: Minnesota United FC (MLS), Juárez (Liga MX)
• Tier 3: Real Salt Lake (MLS), Atlante (Liga MX)

Group 5

• Tier 1: Toluca (Liga MX), Los Angeles FC (MLS)
• Tier 2: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Guadalajara (Liga MX)
• Tier 3: FC Dallas (MLS), Querétaro (Liga MX)

Group 6

• Tier 1: Club América (Liga MX), San Diego FC (MLS)
• Tier 2: Austin FC (MLS), Tijuana (Liga MX)
• Tier 3: Portland Timbers (MLS), Puebla (Liga MX)

Points system (no draws allowed):

• 3 points for a regulation win
• 2 points for a penalty-shootout win
• 1 point for a penalty-shootout loss

No extra time in any phase of the tournament.

Top four teams from each league table advance to the knockout stage.

Knockout rounds (single-elimination, no extra time — straight to penalties if needed):

• Quarterfinals (August 25–27): Fixed interleague pairings — MLS 1 vs. Liga MX 4, MLS 2 vs. Liga MX 3, MLS 3 vs. Liga MX 2, MLS 4 vs. Liga MX 1
• Semifinals (September 1–2)
• Third-place match and Final (both September 6)

The top three finishers (champion, runner-up, third place) qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup; the champion enters the Round of 16.

Where to Watch

All 62 matches stream live globally on Apple TV (available in 100+ countries/regions, with English, Spanish, and French commentary options where available; no blackouts).

Linear TV (select matches):

• United States: FOX/FS1 (English) and Univision/TUDN/UniMás (Spanish)
• Canada: TSN and RDS (French)
• Mexico: Imagen Televisión (select Phase One games) plus Apple TV
• India: Apple TV