News Summary
The 2025 Leagues Cup has commenced with a revamped format, featuring 36 participating teams from MLS and Liga MX. Fans can enjoy every match through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, providing a unique viewing experience. With exciting matchups and a knockout stage ahead, the competition aims to crown a champion while offering teams a chance to qualify for prestigious tournaments. The changing landscape highlights the growth of soccer in North America, particularly with the inclusion of high-profile players and strategic planning for competitive equity.
Leagues Cup Kicks Off with New Format
San Diego, July 29, 2025 – The 2025 Leagues Cup officially started today and runs until August 31. This significant tournament, sanctioned by Concacaf, is the first in-season club competition for men’s professional sports in North America, making it a notable event for soccer fans.
Fans around the world can watch every match exclusively on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, available in over 100 countries and regions. The tournament has a new format this year, entering its third iteration, and is divided into two main phases: Phase One and the knockout round. The tournament will culminate in the highly anticipated Leagues Cup Final.
Structure and Schedule
In Phase One, the competition exclusively features matchups between clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX until the Quarterfinals. A total of 62 matches are scheduled, and all matches must result in a winner, meaning that if a game is tied, it will proceed directly to penalty shootouts.
Matches in the knockout phase are primarily set to take place midweek, while the MLS and Liga MX regular seasons will continue throughout August. The top three teams in the tournament will earn automatic qualifications for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, providing them a chance to represent the confederation at the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup.
Participating Teams and Formats
This year’s tournament features a total of 36 clubs, with 18 teams from MLS and 18 from Liga MX. Notably, the number of participating MLS teams has been reduced to 18, incorporating only the top nine teams from each conference. The expansion franchise San Diego FC replaces the Vancouver Whitecaps, the latter of whom will compete in the Concacaf Champions Cup and the Canadian Championship.
During Phase One, each MLS team will face three Liga MX opponents based on the Leagues Cup rankings. The knockout stage will include matchups between teams from MLS and Liga MX, with quarterfinal pairings determined by each team’s performance in Phase One.
Viewing Experience on Apple TV
The MLS Season Pass includes all live matches for the Leagues Cup, with commentary available in both English and Spanish, and no blackout restrictions. Subscribers benefit from features such as watching up to four games simultaneously on Apple TV 4K and iPads through the Multiview feature. Additionally, the Catch Up feature allows viewers who join matches late to watch key moments before live action resumes.
Subscriptions for the MLS Season Pass are offered at a competitive price of $49 for the entire Leagues Cup and the remainder of the MLS season, while existing Apple TV+ subscribers can access it for a reduced rate of $39. Those interested in on-demand content and extra programming related to the Leagues Cup can also take advantage of this subscription.
Notable Context and Recent History
The inaugural edition of the Leagues Cup took place in 2023, where Lionel Messi made his debut for Inter Miami CF, scoring an impressive ten goals and winning both the Golden Boot and the MVP accolades. The Columbus Crew emerged victorious in the 2024 Leagues Cup, defeating Los Angeles FC with two dramatic stoppage-time goals.
This year’s tournament is expected to be even more thrilling, especially given the involvement of several high-profile players, as noted by players from both participating leagues. The tournament’s growing popularity highlights the escalating interest in soccer across North America, marking a significant development for both MLS and Liga MX.
The tournament format ensures less travel for top-ranked Liga MX clubs, as matches will be hosted by various teams. This strategic planning aims to promote competitive equity and enhance the viewing experience for fans eager to witness premier soccer action over the coming weeks.
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Additional Resources
- MLS Soccer: Leagues Cup 2025 Tiers Ranking
- Wikipedia: Leagues Cup
- CBS Sports: Leagues Cup Explained
- Google Search: Leagues Cup 2025
- USA Today: Leagues Cup 2025 Schedule
- Google Scholar: Leagues Cup
- Charlotte FC: Leagues Cup 2025 Key Dates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Association Football
