The third edition of the Leagues Cup in 2025 will introduce a new format, featuring 36 clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX competing for a trophy, prize money, and crucial international berths. The tournament’s two finalists and the winner of the third-place match will secure the three available spots in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, which serves as a qualification pathway to the FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Tournament Schedule
The competition is scheduled to run from late July through August, with key dates as follows:
- Phase One: July 29 – August 7
- Quarterfinals: August 19-20
- Semifinals: August 26-27
- Final & Third-Place Match: August 31
The MLS and LIGA MX regular seasons will proceed through August, with most Leagues Cup knockout matches scheduled for midweek. The 12 MLS teams not participating in Phase One will have a break until their domestic season resumes on August 9.
New Competition Format
Phase One
For 2025, Phase One will consist exclusively of cross-league matchups. Each club will play three matches against three different opponents from the opposite league, determined by the Leagues Cup Ranking and regional considerations.
A new points and standings system will be implemented where MLS and LIGA MX teams earn points for separate, league-specific tables. For example, a victory by an MLS club contributes points solely to the Leagues Cup MLS table. The top four clubs from each league’s table will advance to the quarterfinals.
In this phase, matches that end in a draw will proceed directly to a penalty shootout. Points will be awarded as follows:
- Regulation win: 3 points
- Penalty shootout win: 2 points
- Regulation draw/Penalty shootout loss: 1 point
Knockout Rounds
The eight-team knockout stage will begin with quarterfinal contests that are also guaranteed to be MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups. Pairings will be determined by final Phase One standings:
- MLS #1 vs. LIGA MX #4
- MLS #2 vs. LIGA MX #3
- MLS #3 vs. LIGA MX #2
- MLS #4 vs. LIGA MX #1
The four winners will advance to the semifinals, where teams from the same league can face each other. All knockout stage matches are single-elimination, with tied games decided by a penalty shootout.
Participating Teams
The 36-team tournament field includes all 18 LIGA MX clubs and the top nine teams from each MLS conference based on the previous season’s standings.
Due to their participation in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup as Canadian Championship winners, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will not compete in the 2025 Leagues Cup. Their spot will be taken by the 2025 MLS expansion club, San Diego FC.
MLS Participants:
Atlanta United, Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo FC, Inter Miami CF, LA Galaxy, LAFC, Minnesota United FC, CF Montréal, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Diego FC, Seattle Sounders FC.
LIGA MX Participants:
Atlas FC, Atlético de San Luis, Club América, Club León, Cruz Azul, Guadalajara, FC Juárez, Mazatlán FC, CF Monterrey, Club Necaxa, CF Pachuca, Club Puebla, Pumas UNAM, Club Querétaro, Tigres UANL, Club Tijuana, Toluca, Santos Laguna.
Hosting Privileges
As the reigning MLS Cup champions, the LA Galaxy will have hosting privileges throughout the tournament. To minimize travel, Club América and the next five highest-ranked LIGA MX clubs—Cruz Azul, Toluca, Tigres UANL, CF Monterrey, and Pumas UNAM—will also receive varying degrees of hosting rights. A total of 62 matches will be played, with at least 58 featuring cross-league competition.
