A Revamped Competition
The 2026 edition of the Leagues Cup will bring together 36 clubs, half from Major League Soccer and half from Mexico's Liga MX, marking a shift from the previous open‑draw format to a structured league‑specific table.
Each league will contribute exactly 18 teams, allowing a more predictable schedule and reducing the number of clubs that sit out the early stages.
Defending champions Seattle Sounders will join a field that includes recent winners such as Columbus Crew and Inter Miami CF, while clubs like Club América and Chivas de Guadalajara represent the Mexican contingent.
All 62 matches will be streamed live on Apple TV, with FOX and Univision each broadcasting ten matches from the opening phase, and Fubo TV offering an additional viewing option for fans in the United States.
The tournament runs from early August through September, with Phase One fixtures scheduled between August 4 and 13, after which ten MLS teams will enjoy a brief hiatus before returning on August 15.
Games are played without draws; tied contests move straight to a penalty shootout, and quarterfinal pairings are set by league standings, matching the top MLS side against the fourth‑placed Liga MX team, and so on.
Beyond the trophy, the competition offers tangible rewards: the champion earns a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup, while the top three finishers and the finalists also secure qualification pathways.