North American cups: Where MLS teams will compete in 2025, qualification criteria | MLSSoccer.com

The four tournaments – Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, US Open Cup and Canadian Championship – provide important opportunities for clubs to compete for championships outside of MLS play.

In addition to these North American tournaments, Seattle Sounders FC and Inter Miami CF will also represent MLS in the FIFA 2025 Club World Cup, joining other top teams from around the world this summer.

• Criteria set by Concacaf.

• 18 MLS clubs qualify to match the 18 participating LIGA MX clubs.
• The top nine teams in each MLS conference from the prior season qualify.
• Due to Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s participation in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup and defending their Canadian Championship title, Vancouver will not participate in Leagues Cup 2025. Instead, expansion club San Diego FC will join Leagues Cup 2025.

• From last year, the number of MLS first teams participating in the US Open Cup has increased from 8 to 16. In addition, 10 MLS NEXT Pro teams will compete in the tournament.
• The 16 participating MLS teams are determined as follows:
  • Only US-based clubs are eligible to participate in the US Open Cup.
  • MLS teams not competing in Leagues Cup or Concacaf Champions Cup automatically qualify for the US Open Cup. For the 2025 tournament, this accounts for 9 of the 16 MLS teams.
  • The remaining teams are determined by Supporters’ Shield standings, excluding teams competing in Concacaf Champions Cup. For the 2025 tournament, this accounts for 7 of the 16 MLS teams.

• All three Canadian-based MLS clubs compete.

• Ten (10) MLS clubs will compete in the 2025 tournament, which begins Feb. 4 and concludes June 1.
• The reigning MLS Cup presented by Audi champion (LA Galaxy) and the reigning Leagues Cup champion (Columbus Crew) enter in the Round of 16.
• Eight (8) other MLS teams begin play in Round One.

• Eighteen (18) MLS clubs will face off against all 18 LIGA MX teams. Leagues Cup takes place from July 29 to August 31.

• The 16 competing MLS teams will enter the US Open Cup in the Round of 32, with eight of those teams hosting their opening matches.
• The 10 MLS NEXT Pro teams will enter the tournament in the First Round.

• CF Montréal, Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC will compete in the tournament. The Canadian Championship takes place from April through October.

• Austin FC
• Charlotte FC
• Chicago Fire FC
• D.C. United
• FC Dallas
• Houston Dynamo FC
• Minnesota United FC
• Nashville SC
• New England Revolution
• New York City FC
• New York Red Bulls
• Orlando City SC
• Philadelphia Union
• Portland Timbers
• San Jose Earthquakes
• St. Louis CITY SC

1. Carolina Core FC (Independent)
2. Chattanooga FC (Independent)
3. Columbus Crew 2
4. FC Cincinnati 2
5. Inter Miami CF II

1. LAFC 2
2. Real Monarchs
3. Sporting KC II
4. Tacoma Defiance
5. Ventura County FC