News Summary
The 2025 Leagues Cup commenced featuring a novel format uniting MLS and Liga MX, marking a historic in-season club tournament. With 62 matches scheduled until August, the event ensures no ties and incorporates a knockout stage following group matches. Fans can exclusively watch the tournament via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The top teams gain qualification for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, generating excitement among players and clubs. This format reduction includes 18 MLS teams and 18 Liga MX teams, promising an electrifying display of North American soccer talent.
San Diego, CA — The 2025 Leagues Cup kicked off today, July 29, featuring an exciting new format that combines Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX. This marked the first in-season club tournament in North America across all men’s professional sports. The tournament is sanctioned by Concacaf and will run until August 31, including a total of 62 matches with no ties allowed.
Fans around the globe can watch every match exclusively via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, which is accessible in over 100 countries and regions. The Leagues Cup is entering its third year, featuring two distinct rounds: Phase One and the knockout round. Phase One will consist of matchups exclusively between teams from MLS and Liga MX through to the Quarterfinals.
After the completion of the group stage, the tournament will lead into the knockout phase, culminating in the Leagues Cup Final. Matches that end in a tie will proceed to penalty shootouts, which adds to the competitive atmosphere. The MLS and Liga MX regular seasons will continue concurrently during August, with most of the knockout matches scheduled to take place midweek.
The tournament will see the top three teams earn automatic qualification for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the possibility of representing the confederation at the FIFA Club World Cup. This incentive has generated heightened enthusiasm among teams and players alike, with some players underscoring the tournament as a prime opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
In terms of structure, the new format reduces the number of participating MLS teams to 18. Only the top nine teams from each conference will qualify to compete. The expansion side, San Diego FC, will take the place of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are currently engaged in the Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship. The tournament will also include 18 Liga MX teams, bringing the total number of participating clubs to 36.
Each MLS team will face three Liga MX opponents during Phase One, based on the Leagues Cup rankings. The knockout stage will subsequently feature MLS teams facing Liga MX counterparts, with pairings in the quarterfinals determined by performance in Phase One.
Previous tournaments have seen notable performances, including the 2024 Leagues Cup where Columbus Crew triumphed over Los Angeles FC with two critical stoppage-time goals. In the 2023 edition, Lionel Messi made his debut for Inter Miami CF, impressively scoring 10 goals and earning both the Golden Boot and MVP accolades.
Subscribers to the MLS Season Pass will have access to all live Leagues Cup matches with commentary available in both English and Spanish. There are no blackout restrictions, and fans can enjoy on-demand content and additional programming related to the tournament. For viewing flexibility, Apple TV allows fans to watch up to four matches simultaneously through the Multiview feature available on Apple TV 4K and iPads. Additionally, the Catch Up feature enables viewers who join matches late to quickly see key moments before live action resumes.
Subscribers can access the MLS Season Pass for $49, which covers the entire Leagues Cup and the remainder of the MLS season. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers benefit from a discounted price of $39.
The broadcast team for the tournament includes five renowned Spanish-language broadcasters alongside former players and prominent hosts, enhancing the viewing experience for fans across various demographics.
All matches will be carried out under the competition formats specific to MLS and Liga MX, with a designated points system awarded for wins and ties impacting the league-specific tables. The structure aims to streamline travel for the top-ranked Liga MX clubs, allowing matches to be hosted by various participating teams.
As this tournament unfolds, anticipation grows among fans and players alike for what promises to be an electrifying showcase of North American soccer talent.
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Additional Resources
- MLS Soccer: Leagues Cup 2025 Tiers Ranking
- Wikipedia: Leagues Cup
- CBS Sports: Leagues Cup Explained
- Google Search: Leagues Cup 2025
- USA Today: Leagues Cup 2025 Schedule
- Google Scholar: Leagues Cup
- Charlotte FC: Leagues Cup 2025 Key Dates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Association Football
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