2026 Leagues Cup: MLS and Liga MX Clash Details Revealed

WHO:

Yahoo Sports - 36 clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX are participating in the 2026 Leagues Cup.

Sporting News - The Seattle Sounders won the last edition of the Leagues Cup.

WHAT:

Yahoo Sports - The Leagues Cup is in its sixth edition in 2026 and fourth since the rebrand in 2023.

Yahoo Sports - The format for the 2026 Leagues Cup includes a league phase followed by a knockout stage, similar to the UEFA Champions League.

Sporting News - The top four teams from each league will advance to the quarterfinals.

Yahoo Sports - Both finalists will earn a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16, while the third-place finisher will secure a position in the CONCACAF Champions Cup first round.

WHERE:

Yahoo Sports - Matches will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Yahoo Sports - Specific match locations include Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC), ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (Columbus, OH), and Lumen Field (Seattle, WA).

WHEN:

Yahoo Sports - League Phase, Matchweek 1 is scheduled for August 4-6, 2026.

Yahoo Sports - League Phase, Matchweek 2 is scheduled for August 7-9, 2026.

Yahoo Sports - League Phase, Matchweek 3 is scheduled for August 11-13, 2026.

Yahoo Sports - Quarterfinals are scheduled for August 25-27, 2026.

Yahoo Sports - Semifinals are scheduled for September 1-2, 2026.

Yahoo Sports - The final and third place match are scheduled for September 6, 2026.

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - The matchups for the league phase were determined by a draw that used an eastern and western breakdown to minimize travel.

Yahoo Sports - Teams were sorted by league to ensure an equal number of teams from MLS and Liga MX advance to the knockout stage.

(UPDATED August 8, 2026 07:47 UTC)

In an exciting development for soccer fans, 36 clubs from Major League Soccer and Liga MX are set to participate in the 2026 Leagues Cup, which is now in its sixth edition and fourth since the rebrand in 2023. Matches will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the league phase kicking off from August 4 to 6, followed by subsequent matchweeks and culminating in the final on September 6. The tournament format includes a league phase leading into a knockout stage, with the top four teams from each league advancing to the quarterfinals, and both finalists earning spots in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16.