Leagues Cup 2026 to Feature Four Games in Mexico, Marking a Shift in Tournament Structure
Leagues Cup 2026 to Feature Four Games in Mexico, Marking a Shift in Tournament Structure
The 2026 Leagues Cup is set to undergo a significant change with four of its games being hosted in Mexico. This marks a departure from the previous editions where Liga MX teams had to travel extensively across the U.S. for their matches.
The tournament, which is a Concacaf competition, will take place from August 4 to September 6 and will feature 18 clubs from Liga MX and 18 teams from MLS. The first phase of the competition will consist of 54 Liga MX vs MLS matchups.
Some of the highly anticipated games in Mexico include Toluca hosting the Seattle Sounders on August 5 at the Estadio Nemesio Diez, and Vancouver Whitecaps traveling to Nuevo León to face Tigres at the Estadio Universitario. Additionally, San Diego FC will travel to the Estadio Azteca for a first-round game against Club América on a yet-to-be-determined date.
This change in format addresses some of the criticisms faced by the Leagues Cup, particularly the unbalanced format that favored MLS clubs. Liga MX teams have had to travel extensively throughout the U.S., while their MLS counterparts have either hosted games at their home grounds or played at neutral sites in the U.S.
As CF Monterrey sporting director Manuel Noriega pointed out after advancing to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals in 2023, 'It'll be our fifth game while LA(FC) will be home with their players eating dinner with their families every night, going to the movies, resting.' He emphasized the need for a more fair and organized format.
The revised format for 2025 was generally well-received by Mexican clubs as it reduced travel for Liga MX squads and minimized the time between Leagues Cup and the restart of domestic competitions. Former Atlas coach Gonzalo Pineda appreciated the new format, stating, 'I like this format better than the previous one. In the previous format, if you were eliminated in the early stages, there was a long period of inactivity, which made you lose your rhythm in your (domestic) tournament.'
The decision to host games in Mexico is seen as a small victory for Liga MX officials, but it remains to be seen how Mexican fans will respond to the Leagues Cup. The top three finishers in the tournament will qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, and the champion will advance directly to the Champions Cup Round of 16 next year.