The 2025 Leagues Cup has launched with a revamped format, featuring a total of 36 clubs—18 from LIGA MX and 18 from MLS, including qualifying teams based on the previous season’s playoff standings[1][2]. The tournament kicked off on July 29 and will conclude with the final on August 31, 2025[1][2]. Unique to this year, every Phase One and Quarterfinal match exclusively pits MLS clubs against LIGA MX sides, amplifying the interleague rivalry[6][7].
Instead of the previous all-clubs participation, only the top nine teams from each MLS conference qualified, reducing the number of MLS participants and making Phase One more competitive[2]. Expansion side San Diego FC entered the fray, taking the spot of Vancouver Whitecaps FC[2].
Leagues Cup 2025 proceeds in two rounds:
Phase One (July 29 – August 7), followed by knockout rounds until August 31[3][6]. The MLS and LIGA MX regular seasons continue concurrently, but most knockout matches are midweek[1].
The top four teams from each league’s Phase One table advance to the quarterfinals, which are single elimination throughout[3][5]. A novel feature persists: there are no ties. Games that are level after regulation proceed straight to penalties to determine a winner[4][5]. This system awards:
- 3 points for a regulation win,
- 2 points for a penalty shootout win,
- 1 point for a penalty shootout loss,
- 0 points for a regulation loss.
If teams finish even on points during Phase One, tiebreakers include: wins in regulation, goal differential, goals scored, goals conceded, and fair play points[3].
At stake are three automatic bids to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup—awarded to both finalists and the Third Place match winner[1][3]. This in turn offers a path to the FIFA Club World Cup[1]. The winning club also lifts the Leagues Cup trophy, which features two bowls representing each league, alongside significant prize money and interleague bragging rights[1].
Recent historical highlights: Columbus Crew claimed the 2024 Leagues Cup, defeating LAFC in stoppage time. The inaugural (2023) edition saw Lionel Messi debut for Inter Miami CF, amassing 10 goals and earning MVP and Golden Boot honors[6].
References
- [1] Leagues Cup 2025: Bracket, Key Dates, Everything fans need to know
- [2] 2025 Leagues Cup Explainer: What You Need to Know
- [3] Leagues Cup 2025: Phase One tiebreaker scenarios
- [4] Why There Are No Ties in Leagues Cup 2025
- [5] What Is Leagues Cup 2025?
- [6] Leagues Cup returns to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV on July 29
- [7] Leagues Cup 2025 tiers: Ranking every MLS & LIGA MX team