Campeones Cup has quickly grown into one of the most anticipated fixtures in North American soccer. Since its inception in 2018, the annual showdown between the Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX champions has provided drama, intensity, and bragging rights across the continent.
Now, in 2025, the rivalry has reached its most decisive chapter yet. With three titles apiece, MLS and LIGA MX are tied after six editions. The upcoming clash between LA Galaxy and Toluca FC isn’t just another final—it’s the ultimate decider, the “Game Seven” of the Campeones Cup.
A Brief History of Campeones Cup
The tournament debuted in 2018, created to celebrate and deepen the competitive bond between the two leagues. Club Tigres lifted the inaugural trophy, and the competition has since produced a mix of champions on both sides:
2018: Tigres (LIGA MX)
2019: Atlanta United (MLS)
2020: Canceled due to COVID-19
2021: Columbus Crew (MLS)
2022: New York City FC (MLS)
2023: Club Tigres (LIGA MX)
2024: Club América (LIGA MX)
The Stakes: More Than Just a Trophy
This year’s edition, set for October 1 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, carries weight far beyond the silverware. For the first time, one league will push ahead in the rivalry with a 4–3 advantage in titles.
For MLS, LA Galaxy’s presence is symbolic. The five-time MLS Cup champions are looking to add continental prestige to their decorated history. Fresh off their 2024 MLS championship, they now have the chance to secure another milestone by delivering MLS its fourth Campeones Cup.
On the other side, Toluca FC represents Mexico’s rich footballing tradition. As reigning LIGA MX champions, Los Diablos Rojos are aiming to cement their place in history by lifting the trophy on American soil and reasserting LIGA MX’s dominance in this growing rivalry.
A True “Game Seven” Atmosphere
The term “Game Seven” is usually reserved for North American sports classics like the NBA Finals or the World Series. This year, the Campeones Cup has earned that same aura. With both leagues tied, the stakes are clear: one will emerge as the continental leader, the other left to chase.
Add to that the setting—Dignity Health Sports Park, home of the Galaxy—and the recipe is complete for a fiery, high-stakes battle under the lights in Carson.
What’s Next for the Campeones Cup?
As the rivalry intensifies, the Campeones Cup continues to grow in significance. No longer just an exhibition match, it has become a measuring stick for progress, pride, and continental supremacy.
On October 1, the eyes of North America will be fixed on LA Galaxy vs. Toluca FC, a clash that promises drama, passion, and history in the making. When the final whistle blows, one league will finally take the lead.
And for fans on both sides of the border, this is not just another game—it’s the Game Seven.
