North Charlotte Today

Leagues Cup 2025 is set to introduce a revamped format featuring exclusively interleague matches between Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX clubs up until the Quarterfinals. This announcement was made by the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee, revealing that the tournament will take place from July 29 to August 31 in the United States and Canada.

The competition will involve 36 clubs, comprising all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 MLS teams. The MLS teams are selected based on their performance in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs of the previous season, with San Diego FC replacing Vancouver Whitecaps FC as part of new qualification criteria.

The tournament is divided into two phases: Phase One and Knockout Rounds. During Phase One, each club will participate in three matches against opposing league teams within their designated sets. The matches are scheduled between July 29 and August 7.

In an effort to enhance interleague play, points earned during these games will contribute to league-specific tables for both MLS and LIGA MX. The top four clubs from each table will advance to the Quarterfinals, where they will compete in single-game elimination rounds featuring only MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups.

"This new format...was created following a collaborative effort of the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee," stated representatives from Leagues Cup, MLS, and LIGA MX leadership. The format aims to reward regular season results while increasing interleague matchups.

Concacaf will appoint match officials for this year's tournament which includes VAR technology. Matches can be viewed globally via Apple TV's MLS Season Pass service along with select broadcasts on TelevisaUnivision's networks, FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS.