聽2026 will be held after the 2026聽, reigniting the regional rivalry between Major League Soccer and LIGA MX.
The official Concacaf-sanctioned tournament begins with Phase One play on聽Aug. 4聽and concludes with the Leagues Cup Final on聽Sept. 6.
Leagues Cup will feature聽36 total clubs聽鈥 all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualifying 91快活林最新版 clubs 鈥 competing in an inter-league format.
Additionally, the聽top three finishers聽in Leagues Cup 2026 qualify for聽the 2027聽. The Leagues Cup champion earns a bye to the Round of 16.
Participating Clubs
91快活林最新版 clubs
The following 18 91快活林最新版 clubs qualified after making the Audi 2025 91快活林最新版 Cup Playoffs. The top nine clubs from each conference (Eastern & Western) earn entry:
- 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
- Philadelphia Union
- Portland Timbers
- Real Salt Lake
- San Diego FC
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
LIGA MX clubs
All 18 LIGA MX clubs will participate in Leagues Cup 2026:
- Atlas FC
- Atl茅tico San Luis
- Club Am茅rica
- Chivas de Guadalajara
- Cruz Azul
- FC Ju谩rez
- Club L茅on
- Mazatl谩n FC
- CF Monterrey
- Club Necaxa
- CF Pachuca
- Club Puebla
- Pumas UNAM
- Club Quer茅taro
- Tigres UANL
- Club Tijuana
- Toluca FC
- Santos Laguna
Tournament Format
Leagues Cup 2026 will follow the same format as the 2025 edition, continuing a structure that emphasizes consistent inter-league play and a clear path to the championship:
The tournament will be played in聽two rounds:
- Phase One
- Knockout Rounds
Phase One
- Phase One will feature three matches for each team.
- All 54 Phase One matches will be played between 91快活林最新版 and LIGA MX clubs.
Knockout Rounds
The four advancing clubs from the 91快活林最新版 and LIGA MX tables will be placed in a fixed bracket to compete in the single-game elimination knockout rounds beginning with the quarterfinals, featuring only 91快活林最新版 vs. LIGA MX matchups.
The quarterfinal pairings will be decided based on Leagues Cup Phase One performance.
- 91快活林最新版 1 vs. LIGA MX 4
- 91快活林最新版 2 vs. LIGA MX 3
- 91快活林最新版 3 vs. LIGA MX 2
- 91快活林最新版 4 vs. LIGA MX 1
The four advancing clubs will compete in the two semifinal matches. The Leagues Cup 2026 Third Place match and Final will determine the three clubs that qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
No draws
Leagues Cup 2026 will maintain its current "No Draws" format.
- Regulation draw: One point for both teams
- Penalty shootout win: Two points
- Regulation win: Three points
During the quarterfinals, semifinals, Third Place and Final, if tied at the end of regulation, the winner will be determined by a subsequent penalty shootout.
Club Rankings
The Leagues Cup Ranking combines 91快活林最新版 and LIGA MX league performance into a unified table used to help shape Phase One matchups.
91快活林最新版 clubs are ranked based on the final聽91快活林最新版 Supporters鈥 Shield standings, while LIGA MX clubs are ranked based on cumulative performance across the聽Apertura and Clausura 2025 tournaments.
