The Leagues Cup 2025 Knockout Stage represents the thrilling conclusion of the annual North American tournament featuring top clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Mexico’s Liga MX.
This year’s edition continues the new expanded format, promising more interleague clashes and high-stakes drama as clubs battle for the title and a pathway to the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Get updates on schedules, results, and which teams are advancing towards the Leagues Cup trophy and 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup qualification. Stay tuned for all the thrilling MLS vs Liga MX matchups and knockout drama this August!
Leagues Cup 2025 Knockout Stage Teams, & Schedule
Table of Contents
Direct cross-border rivalries between MLS and Liga MX, increasing fan engagement and competitive benchmarks.
The unique format ensures every match is played to a result—no group-stage draws, no two-legged ties—all contributing to the intensity and unpredictability that defines knockout football.
The Leagues Cup plays a growing role in CONCACAF’s club landscape, with serious implications for next season’s continental championship qualification and, by extension, future FIFA Club World Cup slots.
The Leagues Cup 2025 knockout stage offers thrilling North American football action, shaping club careers and potentially shifting the balance of power between MLS and Liga MX in the pursuit of international success.
Tournament Format Overview
Structure & Schedule
- From July 29 to August 7, each of the 36 clubs (18 MLS, 18 Liga MX) played three interleague matches.
- Matches had to produce a winner: Draws in regulation went directly to penalties, with shootout points awarded.
- Teams earned: 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a penalty win, 1 point for a penalty loss, and 0 points for a regulation defeat.
Knockout Round:
- The top four teams from the MLS standings and Liga MX standings each advanced, setting an eight-team quarterfinal bracket.
- The knockout rounds are single-elimination, with ties going straight to penalties.
Key Knockout Dates:
- Quarterfinals: August 19–20
- Semifinals: August 26–27
- Third-place Playoff and Final: August 31
Quarterfinal Pairings
The bracket is designed to maximise cross-league matchups. Quarterfinals are seeded as:
- Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL – 2-1
- Toluca vs Orlando City – 0(5)-0(6)
- Seattle Sounders vs Puebla – 0(4)-0(3)
- LA Galaxy vs Pachuca – 2-1
From the semifinals onward, any matchup is possible (not league-restricted).
Teams and Progression
- Participants:
- The top nine teams from each MLS conference (18 total) and all 18 Liga MX clubs.
- Some variations (e.g., Vancouver Whitecaps replaced by San Diego FC due to overlapping commitments).
Qualified Clubs for knockout
After intense competition in the group stage, the following teams advanced to the knockout rounds (clubs listed as per current standings and seeding) –
MLS qualifiers:
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Portland Timbers
- Inter Miami CF
- Minnesota United FC
Liga MX qualifiers:
- UANL (Tigres)
- Juárez
- Mazatlán
- Toluca
Eliminated clubs from tournaments
MLS Eliminated:
- Atlanta United
- Houston Dynamo FC
- San Diego FC
LIGA MX Eliminated:
- Atlas FC
- Club Léon
- Quéretaro FC
- Santos Laguna
Knockout Stage Details & Stakes
- All matches are MLS vs. Liga MX until only four teams remain.
- There are no draws; any tied match goes directly to penalties.
- The tournament not only crowns a regional champion but also awards three spots in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup to the two finalists and the winner of the third-place playoff.
| Round | Dates |
|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | August 19–20 |
| Semifinals | August 26–27 |
| Third Place | August 31 |
| Final | August 31 |
The entire knockout stage will unfold over less than two weeks, delivering concentrated, high-stakes soccer action.
How to watch & stream Leagues Cup 2025 Knockout Stage?
You can watch every Leagues Cup 2025 knockout stage match live on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. Select games will also air on FOX Sports, FS1, Univision, and TUDN, and can be streamed on platforms like DirecTV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV.
