NEW YORK / MEXICO CITY (December 16, 2025) — The Leagues Cup Organizing Committee today announced the official dates, participating clubs and competition format for Leagues Cup 2026, the fourth edition of the annual tournament between Major League Soccer and LIGA MX. The tournament is set to kick off August 4, 2026, and conclude with the Leagues Cup 2026 Final on September 6.Â
Staged immediately following the FIFA World Cup 2026, Leagues Cup 2026 will continue the momentum of a landmark year for the sport in North America and further cement the tournament’s position as a marquee competition in the global soccer calendar.
Sanctioned by Concacaf, Leagues Cup 2026 will once again feature 36 clubs total, including all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualifying MLS clubs, competing in a fully interleague format that showcases the best of both leagues. As in 2025, the top nine teams from each MLS conference (Eastern Conference and Western Conference) that qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in the prior season earned entry into the tournament.Â
In addition, Leagues Cup 2026 will award three qualification spots to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The champion, runner-up and third-place finisher will qualify, with the tournament champion earning a direct place in the Round of 16. The Concacaf Champions Cup serves as the pathway to FIFA international club competitions, providing clubs the opportunity to represent Concacaf on the global stage.Â
LIGA MX Clubs (18)Â
All 18 LIGA MX clubs will participate in Leagues Cup 2026.Â
- Atlas FCÂ
- Club América
- Atlético de San LuisÂ
- Club GuadalajaraÂ
- Cruz AzulÂ
- FC JuárezÂ
- Club LeónÂ
- Mazatlán FCÂ
- CF MonterreyÂ
- Club NecaxaÂ
- CF PachucaÂ
- Club PueblaÂ
- Pumas UNAMÂ
- Club QuerétaroÂ
- Santos LagunaÂ
- Tigres UANLÂ
- Club TijuanaÂ
- Toluca FC
Major League Soccer Clubs (18)Â
The following MLS clubs qualified based on performance in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs 2025, with the top nine clubs from each conference earning entry:Â
- Austin FCÂ
- Charlotte FCÂ
- Chicago Fire FCÂ
- FC CincinnatiÂ
- Columbus CrewÂ
- FC DallasÂ
- Inter Miami CFÂ
- LAFCÂ
- Minnesota United FCÂ
- Nashville SCÂ
- New York City FCÂ
- Orlando City SCÂ
- Philadelphia UnionÂ
- Portland TimbersÂ
- Real Salt LakeÂ
- San Diego FCÂ
- Seattle Sounders FCÂ
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Several clubs return to the tournament after not participating in the 2025 edition, reflecting the competitive nature of MLS qualification and the evolving landscape of North American club soccer.Â
Club Rankings Entering Leagues Cup 2026
The Leagues Cup Ranking combines MLS and LIGA MX league performance into a unified table used to help shape Phase One matchups. MLS clubs are ranked based on the final MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, while LIGA MX clubs are ranked based on cumulative performance across the Apertura and Clausura 2025 tournaments.