The Leagues Cup Organizing Committee announced Tuesday the official dates, participating clubs, and competition format for Leagues Cup 2026, the fourth edition of the annual tournament between Major League Soccer and LIGA MX. The tournament is set to kick off on August 4, 2026, and conclude with the Leagues Cup 2026 Final on September 6.
Sanctioned by Concacaf, Leagues Cup 2026 will once again feature 36 clubs total, including all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualifying MLS clubs, competing in a fully interleague format that showcases the best of both leagues. As in 2025, the top nine teams from each MLS conference (Eastern Conference and Western Conference) that qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in the prior season earned entry into the tournament.
In addition, the Leagues Cup 2026 will award three qualification spots to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher will qualify, with the tournament champion earning a direct place in the Round of 16. The Concacaf Champions Cup serves as the pathway to FIFA international club competitions, providing clubs the opportunity to represent Concacaf on the global stage.
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Participating Clubs
| Liga MX Clubs | MLS Clubs |
|---|---|
| Atlas FC | Austin FC |
| Club América | Charlotte FC |
| Atlético de San Luis | Chicago Fire FC |
| Club Guadalajara | FC Cincinnati |
| Cruz Azul | Columbus Crew |
| FC Juárez | FC Dallas |
| Club León | Inter Miami CF |
| Mazatlán FC | LAFC |
| CF Monterrey | Minnesota United FC |
| Club Necaxa | Nashville SC |
| CF Pachuca | New York City FC |
| Club Puebla | Orlando City SC |
| Pumas UNAM | Philadelphia Union |
| Club Querétaro | Portland Timbers |
| Santos Laguna | Real Salt Lake |
| Tigres UANL | San Diego FC |
| Club Tijuana | Seattle Sounders FC |
| Toluca FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
Tournament Format
Leagues Cup 2026 will follow the competition format introduced in 2025, continuing a structure that emphasizes consistent interleague play and a clear path to the championship:
- Phase One features 54 matches, all contested between MLS and LIGA MX clubs
- Results from Phase One determine separate Leagues Cup standings for MLS and LIGA MX, with the top four clubs from each league advancing to the Knockout Rounds
- Interleague matchups are guaranteed through the Quarterfinals, ensuring MLS vs. LIGA MX competition at every stage leading into the Semifinals
- The tournament concludes with the Semifinals, Third Place Match, and Leagues Cup Final.
This format ensures meaningful competition at every stage while reinforcing the cross-border rivalries that have defined Leagues Cup since its inception.
