News Summary
The Leagues Cup, a tournament sanctioned by Concacaf, brings together Major League Soccer and Liga MX teams for a thrilling soccer competition across North America. Matches will be streamed exclusively on MLS Season Pass, featuring a format with Phase One and knockout rounds. The tournament includes a total of 62 matches, with the top teams vying for qualification in international competitions. This year, 36 clubs participate, promising exciting matchups as the tournament seeks to highlight the growing popularity of soccer in the region.
Miami, Florida — The 2025 Leagues Cup kicks off today, July 29, and runs through August 31, bringing exciting soccer action to fans across North America. This tournament is sanctioned by Concacaf and marks the first in-season club tournament in North America involving all men’s professional sports.
All matches of the tournament will be streamed exclusively on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, which is accessible in over 100 countries and regions. This season, the tournament enters its third year, featuring two primary rounds: Phase One and the knockout round. The tournament will culminate with the highly anticipated Leagues Cup Final.
Phase One consists entirely of an exciting lineup of matchups between clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX, continuing through the Quarterfinals. A total of 62 matches are scheduled, ensuring that all games end in a decisive outcome, as ties will be resolved through penalty shootouts.
Throughout August, MLS and Liga MX teams will continue with their respective regular seasons, while many knockout matches for the Leagues Cup will take place midweek. The tournament also serves as a pathway for teams aiming for international competitions. The top three teams will secure automatic qualification for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and have the potential opportunity to represent the confederation at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Fans can look forward to witnessing the talents of players like Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, a forward for San Diego FC, who is thrilled about the chance to showcase his team during the tournament. Similarly, C.F. Monterrey midfielder Sergio Canales has noted that the event continues to gain popularity, driven by the presence of high-profile athletes.
In the previous installment, Columbus Crew clinched victory in the 2024 Leagues Cup after defeating Los Angeles FC with two goals in stoppage time. Notably, the 2023 edition saw Lionel Messi make his debut for Inter Miami CF, where he scored ten goals and earned both the Golden Boot and MVP honors.
All matches will be presented with full live coverage on the MLS Season Pass. Commentary is available in both English and Spanish, and there are no blackout restrictions. Subscribers can also access on-demand content and additional programming related to the Leagues Cup, enhancing the viewing experience.
The broadcast team for the tournament includes five acclaimed Spanish-language broadcasters, along with former players and prominent hosts. Viewers will benefit from innovative features, such as the Multiview option on Apple TV 4K and iPads, allowing them to watch up to four matches simultaneously. The Catch Up feature enables fans who join matches late to view essential moments before the live action resumes.
Subscriptions for MLS Season Pass are offered at $49 for the entire Leagues Cup and the remainder of the MLS season, with a discounted price of $39 available for existing Apple TV+ subscribers. This year, the format change reduces the participating MLS teams to 18, allowing only the top nine teams from each conference to qualify for the tournament. The expansion side, San Diego FC, replaces the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are engaged in the Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship.
A total of 36 clubs will participate in the tournament, consisting of 18 Liga MX teams along with the selected MLS teams. Each MLS team will face three Liga MX opponents during Phase One, dictated by the Leagues Cup rankings. The knockout stage will present exciting matchups between MLS and Liga MX teams, with quarterfinal pairings determined based on the teams’ performances in Phase One. Matches will be hosted by various teams, which helps minimize travel for the top-ranked Liga MX clubs.
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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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