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Leagues Cup 2025 format & competition details: What to know | MLSSoccer.com

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Leagues Cup Organizing Committee announced the new and enhanced format for the upcoming Leagues Cup 2025, which will feature exclusively interleague matches between Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX clubs through the quarterfinals.

The official Concacaf-sanctioned tournament will be played in the United States and Canada from July 29 to August 31, crowning the top club among the two premier North American soccer leagues.

In its third edition, Leagues Cup 2025 will again award three spots in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, where the winner will represent the region at FIFA international club competitions.

Leagues Cup 2025 will feature 36 clubs:

  • 18 LIGA MX teams
  • 18 qualifying MLS teams

The top nine teams from each MLS conference, who participated in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, will qualify.

Per MLS’ new North American Cup qualification criteria, incoming MLS expansion club San Diego FC will replace Vancouver Whitecaps FC for Leagues Cup 2025.

— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) January 28, 2025

Leagues Cup 2025 will be played in two rounds:

  1. Phase One
  2. Knockout Rounds

Phase One

  • Phase One will feature three consecutive match dates per club to be played back-to-back.
  • All 54 Phase One matches will be played between MLS and LIGA MX clubs.

Knockout Rounds

The four advancing clubs from the MLS and LIGA MX tables will be placed in a fixed bracket to compete in the single-game elimination knockout rounds beginning with the quarterfinals, featuring only MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups.

The quarterfinal pairings will be decided based on Leagues Cup Phase One performance.

  • 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 advancing clubs will compete in the two semifinal matches. The Leagues Cup 2025 Third Place match and Final will determine the three clubs that qualify for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.

The MLS and LIGA MX regular seasons will continue through August, with most Leagues Cup knockout matches played midweek.

The Leagues Cup Ranking combines MLS and LIGA MX league performance across 34 regular season matches into a unified table.

  • MLS clubs are ranked based on the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings
  • LIGA MX clubs are ranked based on the cumulative 34 matches in the 2024 Clausura and Apertura tournaments

Regional Rankings

Clubs will be divided evenly into two regions of 18 teams each: Eastern and Western.

The Leagues Cup Organizing Committee determined regional assignments based on Leagues Cup Ranking and geographical considerations. Within each region, the 18 teams will be sorted into three tiers:

  • Tier 1: Teams ranked 1-3 from each league
  • Tier 2: Teams ranked 4-6 from each league
  • Tier 3: Teams ranked 7-9 from each league

Six sets will be formed to facilitate Phase One play, three in the East and three in the West. Each set will include six clubs: one MLS club and one LIGA MX club from each tier.

Phase One matchups

Each club will play three matches against three opponents from the opposite league within their set. Leagues Cup Phase One matches are determined by the Leagues Cup Ranking, as well as by region.

Points system

While competing on the field against teams from the opposite league, MLS and LIGA MX teams will compete and earn points in a league-specific table against teams from their own league.

For example, an MLS club’s win earns points in the Leagues Cup MLS table, while a LIGA MX win contributes to the Leagues Cup LIGA MX table. Further competition details, including tie-breaking criteria, will be included in the tournament regulations.

The top four clubs from each Leagues Cup league-specific table advance to the quarterfinals. The tables were designed to ensure more interleague matches into the Knockout Rounds.

No draws

Leagues Cup 2025 will maintain its current No Draws format.

  • Regulation draw: One point for both teams
  • Penalty shootout win: Two points
  • Regulation win: Three points

During the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, semifinals, Third Place and Final, if tied at the end of regulation, the winner will be determined by a subsequent penalty shootout.

Read MoreMargarett Culton

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