New York City FC to Participate in Leagues Cup 2026
MLS New York City FC

New York City FC to Participate in Leagues Cup 2026

Published on December 16, 2025 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release


Leagues Cup 2026 will be held after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reigniting the regional rivalry between Major League Soccer and LIGA MX.

The official Concacaf-sanctioned tournament begins with Phase One play on Aug. 4 and concludes with the Leagues Cup Final on Sept. 6.

Leagues Cup will feature 36 total clubs - all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualifying MLS clubs - competing in an inter-league format.

Additionally, the top three finishers in Leagues Cup 2026 qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The Leagues Cup champion earns a bye to the Round of 16.

Participating Clubs

MLS clubs

The following 18 MLS clubs qualified after making the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. The top nine clubs from each conference (Eastern & Western) earn entry:

Austin FC

Charlotte FC

Chicago Fire FC

FC Cincinnati

Columbus Crew

FC Dallas

Inter Miami CF

LAFC

Minnesota United FC

Nashville SC

New York City FC

Orlando City

Philadelphia Union

Portland Timbers

Real Salt Lake

San Diego FC

Seattle Sounders FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

LIGA MX clubs

All 18 LIGA MX clubs will participate in Leagues Cup 2026:

Atlas FC

Atlético San Luis

Club América

Chivas de Guadalajara

Cruz Azul

FC Juárez

Club Léon

Mazatlán FC

CF Monterrey

Club Necaxa

CF Pachuca

Club Puebla

Pumas UNAM

Club Querétaro

Tigres UANL

Club Tijuana

Toluca FC

Santos Laguna

Tournament Format

Leagues Cup 2026 will follow the same format as the 2025 edition, continuing a structure that emphasizes consistent inter-league play and a clear path to the championship:

The tournament will be played in two rounds:

Phase One

Knockout Rounds

Phase One

Phase One will feature three matches for each team.

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 2026 Third Place match and Final will determine the three clubs that qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

No draws

Leagues Cup 2026 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 quarterfinals, semifinals, Third Place and Final, if tied at the end of regulation, the winner will be determined by a subsequent penalty shootout.

Club Rankings

The Leagues Cup Ranking combines MLS and LIGA MX league performance into a unified table used to help shape Phase One matchups.

MLS clubs are ranked based on the final MLS Supporters' Shield standings, while LIGA MX clubs are ranked based on cumulative performance across the Apertura and Clausura 2025 tournaments.

Check out the New York City FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from December 16, 2025


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