The Leagues Cup 2025 is back with a brand-new format and a fresh set of matchups between the best of MLS and Liga MX. This annual tournament continues to fuel the fierce soccer rivalry between the U.S. and Mexico, and 2025 promises to be one of the most competitive editions yet.
Here’s everything you need to know about the start date, format, groups, schedule, and how to catch all the action.
When Does the 2025 Leagues Cup Start?
The group stage of the Leagues Cup 2025 kicks off on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and runs through Thursday, August 7, 2025.
Unlike previous editions, this year’s competition introduces a one-week group stage format, allowing both leagues to continue their regular seasons while participating in the tournament.
New Format for Leagues Cup 2025
The 2025 edition features:
- 18 teams from MLS
- 18 teams from Liga MX
- 6 groups of 6 teams each (3 Liga MX + 3 MLS clubs per group)
- Each team plays 3 cross-league matches during the group stage
- Top 4 teams from each league advance (8 total) to the quarterfinals
Key Change:
This year, MLS teams will only face Liga MX teams in the group stage — no intra-league matches. That ensures every group match is a USA vs. Mexico showdown.
How to Watch the Leagues Cup 2025
All matches will be available for free for one month through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. It’s the easiest way to follow every group match, knockout clash, and the final — no cable required.
Leagues Cup 2025 Groups
Here are all 6 groups for this year’s tournament:
Group 1
- Toluca
- Columbus Crew
- New York City FC
- Leon
- CF Montreal
- Puebla
Group 2
- Inter Miami CF
- UNAM (Pumas)
- Orlando City SC
- Necaxa
- Atlanta United FC
- Atlas
Group 3
- Monterrey
- FC Cincinnati
- Guadalajara (Chivas)
- Charlotte FC
- New York Red Bulls
- Juarez
Group 4
- Tigres (UANL)
- Los Angeles FC
- Houston Dynamo FC
- Pachuca
- Mazatlan
- San Diego FC
Group 5
- Club America
- Real Salt Lake
- Minnesota United FC
- Atletico San Luis
- Portland Timbers
- Queretaro
Group 6
- Cruz Azul
- LA Galaxy
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Tijuana
- Colorado Rapids
- Santos Laguna
Knockout Stage Schedule
After the group phase wraps up on August 7, the top 4 clubs from each league will advance.
Key Dates:
- Quarterfinals: August 19–20
- Semifinals: August 26–27
- Final & Third-Place Match: August 31
This setup guarantees Liga MX vs. MLS matchups in the quarterfinals, adding to the intensity.
Leagues Cup 2025 Group Stage Fixtures
Here are the most anticipated matchdays and fixtures:
Tuesday, July 29
- Toluca vs. Columbus Crew (Columbus)
- NYCFC vs. Puebla (Harrison)
- Tigres vs. Houston Dynamo (Houston)
- LAFC vs. Mazatlan (Los Angeles)
- Pachuca vs. San Diego FC (San Diego)
- Montreal vs. Leon (Montreal)
Wednesday, July 30
- Inter Miami vs. Atlas (Fort Lauderdale)
- Necaxa vs. Atlanta United (Atlanta)
- Pumas vs. Orlando City (Orlando)
- Minnesota vs. Queretaro (Saint Paul)
- Club America vs. Real Salt Lake (Sandy)
- Portland vs. Atletico San Luis (Portland)
Thursday, July 31
- Monterrey vs. FC Cincinnati (Cincinnati)
- Chivas vs. New York Red Bulls (Harrison)
- Charlotte FC vs. Juarez (Charlotte)
- Cruz Azul vs. Seattle Sounders (Seattle)
- LA Galaxy vs. Tijuana (Carson)
- Colorado Rapids vs. Santos (Commerce City)
Friday, August 1
- NYCFC vs. Leon (Harrison)
- Columbus vs. Puebla (Columbus)
- Toluca vs. Montreal (Harrison)
- Tigres vs. San Diego (San Diego)
- LAFC vs. Pachuca (Los Angeles)
- Houston vs. Mazatlan (Houston)
Saturday, August 2
- Inter Miami vs. Necaxa (Fort Lauderdale)
- Orlando vs. Atlas (Orlando)
- Pumas vs. Atlanta United (Orlando)
- America vs. Minnesota (Houston)
- Portland vs. Queretaro (Portland)
- Real Salt Lake vs. Atletico San Luis (Sandy)
Sunday, August 3
- Chivas vs. Charlotte (Charlotte)
- Cincinnati vs. Juarez (Cincinnati)
- Monterrey vs. NY Red Bulls (Cincinnati)
- Seattle Sounders vs. Santos (Seattle)
- LA Galaxy vs. Cruz Azul (Carson)
- Colorado Rapids vs. Tijuana (Commerce City)
Tuesday, August 5
- Toluca vs. NYCFC (Bronx)
- Columbus vs. Leon (Columbus)
- Montreal vs. Puebla (Montreal)
- Houston vs. Pachuca (Houston)
- Mazatlan vs. San Diego (San Diego)
- Tigres vs. LAFC (Los Angeles)
Wednesday, August 6
- Inter Miami vs. Pumas (Fort Lauderdale)
- Orlando City vs. Necaxa (Orlando)
- Atlanta United vs. Atlas (Atlanta)
- Minnesota vs. Atletico San Luis (Saint Paul)
- Club America vs. Portland (Austin)
- RSL vs. Queretaro (Sandy)
- Seattle vs. Tijuana (Seattle)
Thursday, August 7
- Cincinnati vs. Chivas (Cincinnati)
- Monterrey vs. Charlotte (Charlotte)
- NY Red Bulls vs. Juarez (Harrison)
- Cruz Azul vs. Colorado Rapids (Carson)
- LA Galaxy vs. Santos Laguna (Carson)
🇺🇸Why the Leagues Cup Matters
This tournament is more than just a summer competition. It’s an officially sanctioned CONCACAF event — and a gateway to CONCACAF Champions Cup qualification.
Plus, it’s a rare chance to see top Liga MX teams face off against MLS squads in real competitive action, rather than friendlies.
With elite teams like Inter Miami, Club America, Tigres, LAFC, and Chivas in the mix, the Leagues Cup 2025 promises thrilling matches, rising tension, and fresh storylines.
Whether you’re cheering for MLS or Liga MX, one thing is clear — this summer’s Leagues Cup is not to be missed.
