Leagues Cup is finally here. On August 4, the annual competition between Major League Soccer and Liga MX returns for another exciting edition of the tournament.
The Sounders enter as defending champions and will begin their quest for back-to-back Leagues Cup titles with three Phase One matches, starting this Tuesday.
Here's everything you need to know before the tournament gets underway:
WHEN: Aug. 4 - Sept. 6, 2026
WHERE: In years past, Leagues Cup took place solely at stadiums where MLS teams resided in Canada and the United States. The 2026 competition locations have expanded into Mexico, where top-ranked Liga MX’s teams will have the opportunity to play on their home turf. Four specific matches are slated to be held in Mexico, including the Sounders’ first Phase One fixture against reigning CCC champions Toluca FC.
HOW TO WATCH: The matches will be available to watch on Apple TV. Select fixtures will also be featured on TelevisaUnivision, FOX Sports, TSN and RDS.
LEAGUES CUP FORMAT: The 2026 Leagues Cup features all 18 Liga MX teams and the top 18 qualifying clubs from MLS. Teams were divided into Eastern and Western regions and grouped into tiers based on 2025 league performance. Each club will play three Phase One matches against teams from the opposing league with no draws allowed. Matches that end with the score level will go straight to penalty shootouts with both teams receiving a point and the winner of the shootout receiving an additional point. The top four clubs from each league advance to the Knockout Rounds where it will be a single-elimination sprint to the Leagues Cup Final on Sept. 6.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: In addition to continental bragging rights, the top three finishers from Leagues Cup will secure automatic bids to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. The champion will receive a direct spot in the CCC Round of 16.
2025 RESULT: The Sounders defeated Inter Miami 3-0 on Aug. 31, 2025 at Lumen Field to win their first-ever Leagues Cup championship. A monumental moment in more ways than one, the continental title completed the Sounders’ North America trophy cabinet, becoming the only team to ever achieve such a feat.
SOUNDERS PHASE ONE SCHEDULE:
SFC at Toluca
DATE: Wednesday, Aug. 5
TIME: 7 p.m. PT
VENUE: Nemesio Díez Stadium
SFC vs. Querétaro
DATE: Sunday, Aug. 9
TIME: 12:30 p.m. PT
VENUE: Lumen Field
SFC vs. Chivas
DATE: Wednesday, Aug. 12
TIME: 7:30 p.m. PT
VENUE: Lumen Field
