Leagues Cup 2026 | Charlotte FC

PHASE ONE MATCHUPS

2026 LEAGUES CUP NEWS

Leagues Cup 2026: Tickets On Sale as Charlotte FC Host Three Liga MX Teams in Phase One

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, featuring 36 clubs from both leagues – all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualifying MLS teams. The top nine teams in each MLS Conference that participated in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs the prior season will qualify.
Officially sanctioned by Concacaf, the top three teams will receive automatic bids into the Concacaf Champions Cup with a chance to represent the Confederation at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Leagues Cup 2026 will be played in two rounds: Phase One, beginning August 4, and the Knockout Rounds, ending with the Leagues Cup Final on September 6.
The MLS and LIGA MX regular seasons will continue through the months of August and September.

No ties!
Each team will receive one (1) point if the game is tied after 90 minutes
The winner of the subsequent penalty shootout will earn an additional point
Regulation wins count as 3 points
Top 4 clubs with the most points from each league will move on to the Knockout Rounds, right into the Quarterfinals

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:
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.

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.

The winner of the Third Place Match will qualify for Concacaf Champions Cup
Both clubs in the Leagues Cup Final will automatically qualify for Concacaf Champions Cup
Leagues Cup 2025 Champion qualifies directly to Concacaf Champion Cup Round of 16

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