What Is the Leagues Cup Sport? A Complete Guide to the Tournament

Soccer in North America has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past several years, and one of the most exciting developments to emerge from this evolution is the Leagues Cup. This cross-border competition brings together the top clubs from Major League Soccer in the United States and Canada with the powerhouse teams from LIGA MX in Mexico, creating a unique tournament that has quickly become one of the most anticipated events on the continental calendar.

For fans who have followed European club competitions for decades, the Leagues Cup offers something different: a genuine test between two distinct soccer cultures, played in packed stadiums across both countries with passionate supporters creating an atmosphere that rivals anything else in the region. The tournament has grown rapidly since its inception, establishing itself as a premier regional competition sanctioned by Concacaf, the governing body for soccer in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

The Structure and Format of the Competition

The Leagues Cup operates on a straightforward but compelling format that maximizes the number of meaningful matches between MLS and LIGA MX clubs. The tournament features 36 teams in total, with all 18 LIGA MX clubs participating alongside 18 qualified MLS teams. This creates a total of 54 matches throughout the competition, each one a cross-border rivalry matchup that would otherwise rarely occur outside of international friendlies or occasional Champions Cup meetings.

The competition unfolds in two distinct phases. Phase One serves as the group stage equivalent, where teams are divided into two regions of 18 clubs each, the Eastern and Western regions. Within each region, clubs are sorted into three tiers based on their Leagues Cup Ranking, which for MLS clubs is determined by the final 2025 MLS Supporters' Shield standings, while LIGA MX clubs are ranked according to their cumulative performance across both the Apertura 2025 and Clausura 2025 tournaments.

Phase One runs for nine consecutive days, delivering 54 matches over that intense stretch. Each team plays three matches during this phase, with the results determining which clubs advance to the knockout stage. The scheduling ensures that every single match during Phase One features an MLS club against a LIGA MX club, making this tournament uniquely focused on cross-league competition rather than allowing teams to face opponents from their own league.

Following Phase One, the tournament moves into its knockout stage, where the remaining clubs compete in a single-elimination format. The winner of the final takes home the trophy, but more importantly, the champion, runner-up, and third-place finishers all earn qualification to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The champion goes one step further, earning a direct berth to the Round of 16.

Key Dates and Matches

The 2026 Leagues Cup schedule has been unveiled, with matches set to take place from August 4 through September 6. For the first time in the tournament's history, matches will be played in Mexico, with the top three ranked LIGA MX clubs hosting. The expanded interleague format returns following a successful 2025 debut, featuring 54 LIGA MX vs. MLS matchups, including all of Phase One and the Quarterfinals.

All matches will air on Apple TV in over 100 countries and regions, with select matches also airing on TelevisaUnivision, FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS. The Leagues Cup Organizing Committee has confirmed that the tournament will feature 36 clubs, including all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualified MLS clubs. The defending Leagues Cup champion Seattle Sounders will be among the teams competing, along with top-rated LIGA MX clubs.

The Leagues Cup has established itself as a premier regional competition, offering a unique blend of cross-border rivalry match-ups and high-stakes competition. With its expanded format and increased exposure, the 2026 Leagues Cup is set to be the biggest and best edition yet.