The 2026 edition of the Leagues Cup kicks off on August 4 and runs through September 6, 2026. This year’s tournament features a new format, with 36 clubs from MLS and Liga MX competing for the title, as well as updated broadcast coverage for fans in the U.S.
Leagues Cup TV schedule
Wednesday, September 02
- 09:00 PM ET
- 11:30 PM ET
América vs. Monterrey (Leagues Cup)
Tournament format
The 2026 edition of the Leagues Cup features 36 clubs from MLS and Liga MX. All 18 Liga MX teams are participating, along with 18 MLS clubs.
The 18 MLS teams in this year’s tournament are the clubs that qualified for the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. This marks a change from previous editions of the competition, when all MLS clubs participated.
The tournament is designed as a World Cup-style competition played during the summer break in both leagues.
- 36 participating clubs: The tournament features all 18 Liga MX clubs and the 18 MLS teams that qualified for the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
- World Cup timing: Unlike the previous expectation that Leagues Cup would serve as a lead-in to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this year’s tournament takes place after the World Cup. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is therefore not a lead-in to the competition.
- Qualification: The top three teams from the Leagues Cup will earn automatic berths in the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
How To Watch Leagues Cup
The 2026 Leagues Cup will be available across Apple TV, FOX Sports and TelevisaUnivision, giving fans in the U.S. several ways to watch the tournament.
Apple TV
Apple TV remains the primary home for every Leagues Cup match. Fans can watch the entire tournament on Apple TV.
Apple TV is also the home for every MLS regular-season match and every MLS playoff match, giving subscribers access to MLS coverage throughout the season in addition to the Leagues Cup.
FOX Sports (English-Language TV)
FOX Sports will provide linear television coverage for 14 matches during the 2026 Leagues Cup, all of which will air on FS1.
The FOX Sports schedule includes 12 group-stage matches and two knockout-round matches. Unlike previous coverage, FOX and FS2 will not carry Leagues Cup matches this year.
TelevisaUnivision (Spanish-Language TV)
For Spanish-speaking fans in the U.S., TelevisaUnivision will provide coverage of 16 Leagues Cup matches across its Spanish-language television networks.
The coverage includes 11 group-stage matches and five knockout-round matches, which will air across Univision, UniMás and TUDN.
