MLS Cup
2026

About MLS Cup

MLS Cup is the annual championship match of Major League Soccer, first played in 1996. The match marks the conclusion of the MLS Cup Playoffs, a five-round knockout competition contested by the top nine teams from each of the league's two conferences. The winner of MLS Cup receives the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, named after Philip Anschutz, one of MLS's co-founders. The MLS Cup champion also earns berths in the following season's CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Campeones Cup against the Liga MX champion.

The LA Galaxy hold the record for most MLS Cup titles with six championships (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2024). D.C. United ranks second with four titles, while the Columbus Crew have won three times. Seven teams have won multiple MLS Cups, while 14 of the league's active franchises have never claimed the championship.

The 2026 MLS Season Structure

The 2026 MLS regular season features 510 total matches across 29 teams. Each club plays 34 games – 17 at home and 17 on the road – with conference opponents facing each other twice (home and away) and six interconference matchups per team. Key dates for the 2026 season include:

• Season Opener: February 21-22, 2026
• Miami Freedom Park Opening: April 4, 2026 (Inter Miami vs Austin FC)
• World Cup Break: May 25 – July 16, 2026
• MLS All-Star Game: July 29, 2026 (Charlotte, NC)
• Decision Day: November 7, 2026
• MLS Cup Playoffs: Late November – December 2026
• MLS Cup 2026: December 2026 (exact date TBA)

The World Cup Effect

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. With an expanded 48-nation format and a record number of MLS players expected on World Cup rosters, the league will pause after May 24 matches. Five MLS stadiums will host World Cup games, with additional venues serving as national team base camps. MLS resumes July 16-17 with marquee rivalry matches, just days before the World Cup Final.

New Stadiums & Historic Milestones

The 2026 season marks the debut of Miami Freedom Park, Inter Miami's permanent 25,000-seat home. This is the first of three new MLS stadiums opening in consecutive years: Etihad Park (New York City FC) arrives in 2027, followed by Chicago Fire's downtown stadium in 2028. Additionally, 2026 is the final season before MLS transitions to a summer-to-spring calendar in 2027, aligning with major European leagues.

How to Watch MLS in 2026

Starting in 2026, all MLS regular season matches are available with a standard Apple TV subscription – no separate MLS Season Pass required. Apple TV broadcasts every match with no blackouts in over 100 countries. FOX Sports will air 34 games in the U.S. (15 on FOX, 19 on FS1), while TSN and RDS carry Canadian coverage. Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire returns with enhanced production.

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MLS Cup 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

When is MLS Cup 2026?

MLS Cup 2026 will take place in December 2026, following the conclusion of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The exact date will be announced by Major League Soccer after the playoff bracket is finalized. The 2026 playoffs begin in late November following Decision Day on November 7 and the November FIFA international window.

Where will MLS Cup 2026 be held?

MLS Cup 2026 will be hosted at the home stadium of the finalist with the better regular-season record (Supporters' Shield standings). Since 2012, the team with the best record among the finalists earns the right to host the championship match. The venue will be determined once both conference champions are decided in the playoffs.

How do teams qualify for MLS Cup?

The top nine teams from each conference qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs based on regular-season points. Teams compete in a five-round knockout tournament: Wild Card Round, Round One (best-of-three), Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and MLS Cup. The Eastern Conference champion faces the Western Conference champion in the final.

What is the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy?

The Philip F. Anschutz Trophy is awarded to the winner of MLS Cup. Named after Philip Anschutz, a co-founder of Major League Soccer and owner of multiple sports teams, the trophy has been presented to MLS Cup champions since the league's inception in 1996. It represents the highest achievement in American and Canadian club soccer.

Which team has won the most MLS Cups?

The LA Galaxy have won the most MLS Cups with six titles (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2024). D.C. United ranks second with four championships, followed by Columbus Crew with three. Seven teams in total have won multiple MLS Cups, while 14 active franchises have never won the championship.

When does the 2026 MLS season start?

The 2026 MLS regular season begins February 21-22, 2026, with 15 season-opening matches. St. Louis CITY SC hosts Charlotte FC in the first match, while Inter Miami faces LAFC at the LA Coliseum. The regular season runs through Decision Day on November 7, 2026, with a seven-week break for the FIFA World Cup from late May to mid-July.

How does the World Cup affect the 2026 MLS season?

MLS will pause league play from May 25 through July 16, 2026, to accommodate the FIFA World Cup being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A record number of MLS players are expected to represent their national teams. The league resumes with rivalry matches on July 16-17, just before the World Cup Final on July 19.

When does Miami Freedom Park open?

Inter Miami CF will host Austin FC in the inaugural match at Miami Freedom Park on April 4, 2026. The new 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium replaces Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale as Inter Miami's permanent home. Lionel Messi signed a contract extension through 2028 partly because of the new stadium.

How can I watch MLS Cup 2026?

MLS Cup 2026 will be broadcast on Apple TV, with additional coverage on FOX and FOX Deportes in the United States and TSN in Canada. All MLS matches in 2026 are available with a standard Apple TV subscription, replacing the previous MLS Season Pass requirement. Check local listings for specific broadcast times.

What happens if MLS Cup is tied after 90 minutes?

If the MLS Cup Final is tied after 90 minutes of regulation, the match proceeds to two 15-minute periods of extra time. If the teams remain level after 120 minutes, the champion is decided by a penalty kick shootout. There is no away goals rule or aggregate scoring since MLS Cup is a single-match final.

Which teams have never won MLS Cup?

Fourteen active MLS franchises have never won the MLS Cup: Austin FC, CF Montréal, Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati, FC Dallas, Inter Miami CF, Minnesota United FC, Nashville SC, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, St. Louis CITY SC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The New England Revolution have appeared in five finals without winning.

Is 2026 the last season with the current MLS calendar?

Yes, 2026 is the final MLS season following the traditional February-to-December calendar. Beginning in 2027, MLS will transition to a summer-to-spring schedule to align with major European leagues. This historic change means MLS Cup 2026 will be the last championship held in December under the current format.

How many teams are in MLS for the 2026 season?

Major League Soccer features 29 teams for the 2026 season, split between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. The league has grown significantly since its founding with 10 teams in 1996. Each conference sends nine teams to the MLS Cup Playoffs based on regular-season standings.

What is the MLS All-Star Game 2026?

The 2026 MLS All-Star Game takes place on July 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, hosted by Charlotte FC. The game is scheduled for just after the World Cup break, allowing fans to see MLS's top talent shortly after the World Cup concludes on July 19. The opponent and format will be announced closer to the event.

Where can I get official MLS Cup 2026 updates?

For official news and announcements about MLS Cup 2026, visit MLSSoccer.com and follow MLS on social media platforms including Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook. Individual team websites also provide updates on playoff positioning and ticket information. The complete playoff schedule will be announced after Decision Day.