The Leagues Cup is a Concacaf-sanctioned tournament that brings together clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States and Canada and Mexico’s LIGA MX, creating one of North America’s biggest cross-league football competitions.

The 2026 edition features 36 clubs 18 MLS teams and all 18 LIGA MX teams. The tournament runs from 4 August to 6 September 2026, with Phase One followed by the knockout rounds.

How does it work?

Each team plays three Phase One matches, with every game featuring an MLS side against a LIGA MX opponent. The top four teams from each league’s standings progress to the quarter-finals.

There are no draws. If a match is level after 90 minutes, it goes straight to a penalty shootout. A regulation win earns three points, while a shootout win earns two.

The 2026 quarter-finals take place from 25–27 August, followed by the semi-finals on 1–2 September. The tournament concludes with the third-place match and final on 6 September.

More than just bragging rights

There is also a major continental prize at stake. The top three finishers qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the Leagues Cup champion receiving a direct place in the Round of 16.

Since the competition was relaunched in its expanded format in 2023, MLS clubs have won every edition — Inter Miami in 2023, Columbus Crew in 2024 and Seattle Sounders in 2025.

With MLS and LIGA MX clubs going head-to-head, the Leagues Cup gives fans a unique clash of two of North America’s biggest football leagues and in 2026, the battle is already heating up.