MLS Cup Playoffs 2025: Everything You Need to Know About the Road to Championship Glory
Major League Soccer has announced the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs structure and timeline as clubs prepare to compete for the league's most coveted trophy this season.
The MLS Cup Playoffs showcase a distinctive format that has evolved throughout the years. Notably, the competition's second phase, officially called Round One, employs a different structure compared to other playoff stages. In the previous season, Supporters' Shield winners and record-setting Inter Miami suffered a surprising defeat to Atlanta United, stunning supporters throughout the league. LA Galaxy ultimately triumphed over the New York Red Bulls in the championship match, claiming their first title since 2014.
Review the complete schedule of MLS Cup Playoffs dates listed below.
MLS Decision Day 2025
Decision Day marks the concluding day of the MLS regular season. Although certain teams may already understand their destiny, whether securing automatic qualification or facing playoff exclusion, final standings will be determined after this day concludes.
All Eastern Conference matches will commence at 6 p.m. ET while Western Conference contests begin at 9 p.m. ET.
MLS Playoffs Wild Card Dates
Wild Card contests are single-elimination matches between the eighth and ninth-place teams competing against one another within their respective conferences. The eighth-seeded clubs from both East and West will serve as hosts, with victors progressing to challenge the top seed from their conference in the following round.
MLS Playoffs Round One Dates and Format
The playoffs' Round One stage features the comeback of a best-of-three series among the 16 participating teams. The superior seed will host the opening match while the lower seed takes hosting duties for the second game. Should a third contest be required to determine a victor, the higher seed will host the deciding match.
MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals Dates and Format
Following Round One's distinctive format, contests revert to a single-elimination structure from the Conference Semifinals forward. Victory or elimination becomes the reality. The four encounters will be hosted by the club with the superior regular season performance.
MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Finals Dates and Format
The same principle applies as teams compete for an MLS Cup berth regarding hosting privileges.
2025 MLS Cup Date
MLS's ultimate prize will be presented on December's first Saturday. Home field advantage will be granted to the team with the stronger regular season record, allowing both Western and Eastern Conference finalists the opportunity to compete before their home supporters.