Leagues Cup 2026 Header

The Boys in Gold Return to Leagues Cup in 2026

Cheer on Nashville SC as they take on Liga MX sides Club León, Atlético de San Luis, and Rayados de Monterrey (C.F. Monterrey) in Phase One of the 2026 Leagues Cup!

Tickets are available now.

GET N ON THE ACTION
GET N ON THE ACTION
Nashville SC vs Club León

Nashville SC vs Club León

Wednesday, Aug. 5 at GEODIS Park | 7:30 p.m.

Leagues Cup 2026, Phase One

Nashville SC vs Atlético de San Luis

Nashville SC vs Atlético de San Luis

Sunday, Aug. 9 at GEODIS Park | 7 p.m.

Leagues Cup 2026, Phase One

Nashville SC vs CF Monterrey

Nashville SC vs CF Monterrey

Wednesday, Aug. 12 at GEODIS Park | 7 p.m.

Leagues Cup 2026, Phase One

LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE

FORMAT

Leagues Cup 2026 will feature 36 clubs — all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualified MLS clubs. MLS clubs are ranked according to the final 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, while LIGA MX clubs are ranked based on cumulative performance across the 2025 Apertura and Clausura tournaments.

The tournament is played in two phases:

  • Phase One (August 4–13) — 54 MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups in a round-robin format
  • Knockout Rounds (August 25–September 6) — a single-elimination bracket beginning with Quarterfinals and culminating in the Leagues Cup Final

Leagues Cup uses a no-ties format to ensure a winner in every match: 

  • 3 points for a regulation win
  • 2 points for a penalty shootout win (after a tie)
  • 1 point for a penalty shootout loss

PHASE ONE

Phase One delivers 54 MLS vs. LIGA MX matches over nine days of competition. Each club plays three matches against opponents from the opposite league.

Clubs are divided into two regions — Eastern and Western — with 18 teams each. Within each region, clubs are sorted into three tiers based on their Leagues Cup ranking:

• 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

The tiered regional structure ensures competitive balance and geographic alignment in Phase One.

Advancement is based on Phase One results (3 points for a regulation win, 2 for a shootout win, 1 for a shootout loss), with clubs competing within league-specific tables (MLS and LIGA MX) to reach the Knockout Rounds.

KNOCKOUT ROUNDS

The top four clubs from each league table (MLS and LIGA MX) advance directly to the Knockout Rounds. Quarterfinal pairings are seeded based on Phase One performance and follow a fixed bracket structure.
 
All knockout matches are single elimination. If tied after regulation, matches proceed directly to a penalty shootout (no extra time).

Quarterfinals: Schedule for August 25–27 
Semifinals: Scheduled for September 1–2 
Final & Third-Place Match: September 6

The tournament concludes with both the championship match and the Third-Place Match.