Leagues Cup announced today the participating teams, format, and dates for the 2026 edition of the international tournament between clubs from the United States and Mexico, confirming Austin FC will take part in the competition. Leagues Cup 2026 will take place from August 4 to September 6, 2026, following FIFA World Cup 2026.
Sanctioned by Concacaf, Leagues Cup 2026 will once again feature 36 clubs total, including all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualifying MLS clubs, competing in a fully interleague format that showcases the best of both leagues. The top nine (9) teams from each MLS conference (Eastern Conference and Western Conference) that qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in the 2025 season earned entry into the tournament.
Leagues Cup 2026 will award three (3) qualification spots to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The champion, runner-up and third-place finisher will qualify, with the tournament champion earning a direct place in the Round of 16.
The competition will follow the same format introduced in 2025, with all teams entering in Phase One and playing three (3) matches against teams from their opposite league. Following these matches, the top four (4) ranked teams from each league will advance to the knockout rounds.
Interleague matchups are guaranteed through the Quarterfinals, ensuring MLS vs. LIGA MX competition at every stage leading into the Semifinals. The tournament concludes with the Semifinals, Third Place Match, and Leagues Cup Final on September 6.
Dates, opponents, and locations for Austin FC’s three (3) Phase One matches against LIGA MX opponents are still to be announced, as are ticketing and broadcast details. Austin’s most recent Leagues Cup campaign in 2024 featured victories over a pair of LIGA MX sides in Pumas UNAM and CF Monterrey.
