The 2026 edition of Leagues Cup will see Liga MX teams host phase one matches in Mexico for the first time since the intraleague tournament debuted the modern format three years ago.
Phase one of the competition kicks off on Aug. 4, seeing 54 games between the 18 participating Major League Soccer clubs and all Liga MX teams. The current format will mirror the 2025 edition of Leagues Cup, as clubs compete in three matches in an attempt to qualify to the knockout rounds.
Like the previous year, all 54 phase one matches are set to be played between Liga MX and MLS clubs.
Four phase one matches will be played in Mexico: highest ranked Club Toluca hosts two matches, while Tigres UANL and Club América host one match each.
Toluca welcomes the Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas at the Estadio Nemesio Díez for Phase One games, as Club América hosts San Diego FC at the Estadio Banorte and Tigres UANL faces the Vancouver Whitecaps at Estadio Universitario.
The first phase of the tournament will also see Inter Miami CF meet CF Monterrey, seeing new Designated Player Germán Berterame face off against his previous Liga MX club for the first time since departing during the January transfer window.
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Teams that qualify to the knockout stage will then be paired with counterparts of the opposing league based on each performance from the first round. The upcoming edition of Leagues Cup will maintain the no draws format, meaning any game that concludes regulation time with a tie will go directly to penalties.
According to Leagues Cup rules: “The top four clubs from each league’s tables will be placed in a fixed bracket to compete in the single-game elimination knockout rounds beginning with the quarterfinals and featuring only MLS vs. Liga MX matchups.”
The final is set to be played on Sept. 6, with the champions and additional top three finishers of the competition earning a ticket to the 2027 edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
