Leagues Cup 2026 Confirms 36-Team Format, Runs August 4 Through the September 6 Final

Leagues Cup 2026 runs August 4 through the September 6 final, with all 18 MLS clubs and all 18 Liga MX clubs in the field. Phase One (Aug 4–13) is a round-robin of 54 cross-league matchups — every club plays three matches exclusively against opposite-league opponents — before the top four from each league's table advance to knockout quarterfinals (Aug 25–Sept 6).

As an inter-league format rather than a single-country domestic cup, Leagues Cup matches are scattered across MLS and Liga MX home stadiums throughout Phase One before the knockout rounds consolidate to fewer venues.