By Victor Araiza
The wait is over as Leagues Cup kicks off on Tuesday, and once again brings together the best clubs from MLS and Liga MX. Tickets are currently available and fans are encouraged to visit leaguescup.com/tickets or their local club websites for details.
Following a historic summer of soccer across North America, attention now shifts back to the club game as Leagues Cup opens the next chapter in the region's biggest club rivalry, with continental pride and Concacaf Champions Cup berths on the line.
Ahead of the fourth edition under the tournament's modern format, here are some of the storylines that could define Leagues Cup 2026.
Will MLS continue its dominance?
An MLS club has won every Leagues Cup since the tournament expanded to its current format in 2023. Inter Miami CF won the first edition, followed by Columbus Crew in 2024 and the Seattle Sounders in 2025.
That success extends beyond the championship. Each of the last three finals has featured an all-MLS matchup, while the Third Place Match has also been an all-MLS affair except for the 2023 edition, when Monterrey finished fourth.
In short, MLS clubs have captured all three titles under the current format and secured every available Concacaf Champions Cup berth.
Will Liga MX lift the trophy?
The objective for Liga MX clubs is simple: bring the Leagues Cup trophy to Mexico.
Club América, Cruz Azul, Chivas de Guadalajara, and Pumas UNAM — Los Cuatro Grandes — headline the favorites, joined by Toluca FC and CF Monterrey.
Club Tijuana could emerge as a dark horse after an undefeated start to the Apertura campaign, while Querétaro, Necaxa, and Atlas will also look to build on strong starts.
Tigres UANL and FC Juárez enter the tournament under new managers, adding another intriguing storyline.
Leagues Cup comes to Mexico
Leagues Cup will be played in Mexico for the first time in tournament history.
The first match on Mexican soil comes on August 5, when Toluca hosts defending champions Seattle Sounders at the iconic Estadio Nemesio Diez.
The following night brings another landmark occasion as Club América welcomes San Diego to Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. El Coloso de Santa Úrsula — the only stadium to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches and two FIFA World Cup Finals — will stage a Leagues Cup match for the first time.
On August 11, Tigres UANL will host the Vancouver Whitecaps at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León.
The tournament also follows a landmark summer in which Canada, Mexico, and the United States jointly hosted the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making this the first edition of Leagues Cup to be played in the immediate aftermath of a men's World Cup held across all three nations.
New Stadiums + New Faces and Debuts
Five venues will make their Leagues Cup debut in 2026.
Inter Miami CF opens the tournament at its new home, Nu Stadium, when it hosts Atlético de San Luis on August 5. Dallas will also unveil a new venue that night, hosting Querétaro FC at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium, the new home of its MLS NEXT Pro side, while its usual home field, Toyota Stadium, undergoes renovations.
Along with Estadio Nemesio Diez, Estadio Banorte, and Estadio Universitario, those additions bring the total to five stadiums making their Leagues Cup debut this year.
Several global stars will make their Leagues Cup debuts. Son Heung-Min (LAFC) and Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) headline the newcomers, while this summer's transfer window also brought Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire), Antoine Griezmann (Orlando City), and Casemiro (Inter Miami CF).
Orbelín Pineda returns to Leagues Cup with Monterrey after helping Cruz Azul win the invitational 2019 edition. Rayados also added former MLS standouts Diego Rossi, who won the 2024 Leagues Cup with Columbus Crew, and Hugo Cuypers, who departed the Chicago Fire this summer as MLS’ leading scorer.
MLS Homegrown products Edwin Cerrillo and Brian Gutiérrez are also set for their tournament debuts with Club América and Chivas de Guadalajara, respectively.
Atlante will make its Leagues Cup debut after returning to Mexico's top flight. Coached by Miguel Herrera, Los Potros have already earned notable results to start the Apertura 2026 season with a draw against Club América and a win over reigning league champions Cruz Azul.
World Cup Aftermath
Leagues Cup also marks the next stage for many of this summer’s World Cup stars.
Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul seek redemption with Inter Miami CF after Argentina finished as runners-up. Cabo Verde international Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew) will also look to build on a historic World Cup campaign.
U.S. internationals Matt Freese (New York City FC), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), and Chris Brady (Chicago Fire) are looking to build on the excitement generated by this summer's World Cup on home soil.
Canada's Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami CF), Jacob Shaffelburg (LAFC), and Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire) will look to build on their country's best-ever FIFA World Cup finish.
Mexico internationals Raúl Rangel (Chivas), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca FC), and Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana) also return to club competition after an emotional summer.
Players from across the globe will look to carry their World Cup momentum into another memorable edition of Leagues Cup.
Leagues Cup and tickets are currently available. Fans are encouraged to visit leaguescup.com/tickets or their local club websites for ticket details. For general information, visit LeaguesCup.com and follow @LeaguesCup on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube; @LeaguesCup on TikTok and subscribe to our channel on WhatsApp.
