News Summary
The 2025 Leagues Cup has begun, featuring club matchups between Major League Soccer and Liga MX teams. The tournament consists of two phases, with a knockout stage culminating in an exciting final. Fans can catch every match on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. With 62 matches scheduled and no ties allowed, this year’s competition promises to highlight the top talents from both leagues. The stakes are high, as the top three teams will secure spots in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, amplifying the significance of the tournament.
Orlando, Florida—The 2025 Leagues Cup kicks off today, July 29, and will run until August 31. This in-season club tournament is sanctioned by Concacaf and makes history as the first of its kind across all men’s professional sports in North America. Fans can watch every match exclusively on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, which is accessible in over 100 countries and regions.
This year marks the third installment of the Leagues Cup, which features two rounds: Phase One followed by the knockout round, ultimately leading to the Leagues Cup Final. Phase One will include matchups exclusively between clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX, continuing through the Quarterfinals.
During the tournament, a total of 62 matches will be played, with no ties allowed; if matches are tied at the end of regulation time, they will proceed to penalty shootouts. While the Leagues Cup progresses, the MLS and Liga MX regular seasons will continue throughout August. Most knockout matches will be scheduled midweek, allowing fans to enjoy an exciting month of soccer.
The top three teams from the 2025 Leagues Cup will automatically qualify for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. There is also the potential for these teams to represent Concacaf at the FIFA Club World Cup, increasing the stakes for competing clubs.
Notably, the tournament has generated considerable excitement from players. For instance, San Diego FC’s forward Hirving Lozano expressed optimism that the event would provide a significant opportunity to display the team’s abilities. C.F. Monterrey’s midfielder Sergio Canales highlighted the growing popularity of the tournament, thanks to the involvement of notable players. Columbus Crew’s victory over Los Angeles FC in the 2024 Leagues Cup, which featured two pivotal stoppage-time goals, adds to the competitive allure of this year’s event.
The Leagues Cup 2025 promises to build on the momentum of its predecessor, where Lionel Messi made a spectacular debut for Inter Miami CF last year, scoring 10 goals and earning both the Golden Boot and MVP accolades. This level of star power has heightened interest in the tournament.
Viewing options for fans are robust. The MLS Season Pass allows access to all live Leagues Cup matches, with commentary available in both English and Spanish and without blackout restrictions. Subscribers will benefit from on-demand content and additional programming connected to the tournament. The broadcast team will include five renowned Spanish-language broadcasters, alongside former players and distinguished hosts. Subscribers can also utilize the Multiview feature on Apple TV 4K and iPads to watch up to four matches simultaneously. For viewers who join matches after kickoff, the Catch Up feature will allow them to catch key moments before the live action resumes.
The subscription for the MLS Season Pass is reasonably priced at $49 for the entire Leagues Cup and the remainder of the MLS season. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers can access a discounted rate of $39, making it an attractive option for fans eagerly anticipating the tournament.
In a significant change for 2025, the format has been revised to reduce the number of participating MLS teams to 18. Only the top nine teams from each conference will qualify, with the newly introduced San Diego FC taking the place of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are participating in the Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship. This year’s tournament will feature 18 Liga MX teams, culminating in a total of 36 clubs competing.
All matches will adhere to the MLS and Liga MX competition formats, with points awarded based on wins and ties as per league-specific tables. Each MLS team will face three Liga MX opponents in Phase One, based on the established Leagues Cup rankings. As for the knockout stage, matchups will feature MLS teams against Liga MX teams, determined by performance during Phase One. Hosting arrangements for the tournament will take place across various teams, reducing travel burdens for 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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