Leagues Cup Set to Undergo Major Transformation in 2026—Exclusive Details
A groundbreaking development awaits the Leagues Cup as Liga MX clubs may be granted the opportunity to stage matches on Mexican soil for the first time when the tournament reaches its fourth year in 2026, according to recent reports.
Throughout the initial three seasons of the Leagues Cup, which previously included every team from both MLS and Liga MX, all fixtures have been exclusively held at MLS venues across the United States and Canada. This arrangement forced Mexican teams to serve as designated "home" clubs in American arenas, sometimes drawing substantial crowds but occasionally performing before sparse audiences of just hundreds of spectators.
Based on reporting from ESPN, tournament organizers are putting the finishing touches on arrangements that would permit certain matches to take place in Mexico as the competition continues its development during these formative years.
The upcoming 2026 tournament will include 36 participating clubs, with equal representation of 18 teams each from Liga MX and MLS, and will occur following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. The opening phase will consist of 54 encounters exclusively between teams from the same league, maintaining the format established in 2025 that prevents cross-league matchups.
After the completion of Phase One, the leading four clubs from each competition would progress to an elimination-style tournament, facing opponents from the rival league during quarterfinal action, with potential matchups against teams from their own league in subsequent semifinal, third-place, or championship rounds.
When Is the Leagues Cup?
When Is the Leagues Cup?
The 2026 Leagues Cup is scheduled to commence on Aug. 4, several weeks following the crowning of World Cup champions in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19. Participating teams will then progress through the tournament structure, which runs alongside regular MLS and Liga MX league play, culminating in the championship match on Sept. 6.
The tournament winner, finalist, and third-place finisher will receive monetary rewards and automatic qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, though MLS teams may need to reschedule certain league fixtures if they advance far in the competition.
Although Liga MX clubs have historically held superiority over MLS teams in Concacaf Champions Cup play, recent Leagues Cup outcomes have shown varying results, with Seattle Sounders defeating Inter Miami for the 2025 championship, following previous victories by Columbus Crew and Inter Miami in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
These dynamics, nevertheless, may shift significantly once Liga MX teams gain the ability to host matches on home soil.