The Leagues Cup is an annual soccer competition between clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States and Canada, and Liga MX, the main soccer league in Mexico. It started in 2019 and has since expanded. Initially, it featured a few teams from both leagues in a knockout tournament, but from 2023 onward, it includes all the clubs from both leagues. The competition serves as a regional cup for the CONCACAF region, involving top-division teams from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Teams earn points in a unique system with regulation wins earning three points, shootout wins two, and shootout losses one, with no draws. The top three teams in the tournament qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the champion getting a bye to later rounds. The 2025 edition features 36 teams—18 MLS teams (selected mostly based on playoff qualification) and all 18 Liga MX teams. The tournament runs from late July to the end of August with a "Phase One" group stage where MLS and Liga MX teams exclusively face off against each other, followed by knockout rounds. Matches are held in the U.S. and Canada, often during the regular season of both leagues, making it a season-integrated tournament. This format promotes intense rivalry and competition between the two leagues and provides a pathway to the wider CONCACAF Champions Cup and eventually the FIFA Club World Cup. The Leagues Cup is a significant competition that highlights soccer talent in North America and enhances the rivalry and cooperation between U.S., Canadian, and Mexican soccer clubs.
