The Leagues Cup is set to return in the summer of 2025, promising soccer fans an exciting competition with crucial changes aimed at enhancing the experience for players and supporters alike. This year’s tournament will kick off on July 29, showcasing an innovative format designed to maximize the thrilling rivalry between Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX. With both leagues fielding 18 teams each, fans can expect a heightened level of inter-league competition featuring their favorite stars.
One of the standout changes for the 2025 tournament is the introduction of a “Phase One” group stage. In this initial round, each club will face off against three teams from the opposing league. The matchups will be determined by a ranking system based on the performances of teams in their respective regular-season games during 2024. This revised format is tailored to create compelling matchups, where every game counts, thereby intensifying the stakes and rivalling passion both on and off the field.
Interestingly, the league rankings will see the newly minted San Diego FC placed at the bottom of the MLS list since they have yet to step onto the pitch for league play. This decision illustrates how the tournament is not just about current teams but also about fostering new talent and engaging communities across the continent.
Following the group stage, the top four teams from each league will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be conducted in a single-elimination format. Interestingly, a fixed bracket will ensure that MLS and Liga MX teams will face off directly against each other in this knockout phase. With 58 of a total of 62 matches guaranteed to feature inter-league clashes, fans can look forward to some exciting rivalries being reignited, which is a critical aspect of what makes soccer such a beloved sport in North America.
The grand finale is scheduled for August 31, promising a thrilling conclusion where the finalists, along with the winner of the third-place match, will secure a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. This not only adds bragging rights but also an avenue for broader continental recognition for teams involved.
Unlike previous editions of the Leagues Cup, which featured all MLS teams, this year’s tournament will see the participation of only 18 clubs — the top nine from each conference. The Vancouver Whitecaps, eighth in the Western Conference, will not participate, opening the door for San Diego FC. This strategic adjustment ensures that each of the 30 MLS teams has at least one opportunity at the cup, either through the 2025 Leagues Cup, the Concacaf Champions Cup, or the Canadian Championship in the same year.
Importantly, league play will continue unabated during the tournament, allowing both Liga MX and MLS to maintain their regular schedules while providing fans with a robust series of matches to enjoy.
The 2025 Leagues Cup promises to be a significant milestone for soccer in North America, infusing freshness and intensity into the tournament experience. The new format not only enhances competition but also strengthens the thrilling allure of matchups between MLS and Liga MX teams. As the soccer landscape evolves, this tournament stands as a beacon of the collective potential of North American soccer, sparking excitement in fans and giving players vital exposure in a unified platform. The anticipation surrounding this year’s edition is palpable as supporters gear up for an unforgettable summer of soccer.