The Union will host Cruz Azul, Club Necaxa, and Santos Laguna from Liga MX, all at Subaru Park in August
Philadelphia Union, in partnership with the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee, today announced their opponents and schedule for Phase One of Leagues Cup 2026, held following the FIFA World Cup. The Concacaf-sanctioned tournament, now in its fourth year, features 18 Major League Soccer clubs facing 18 LIGA MX teams.
The Union will open play on Thursday, August 6, against Cruz Azul, followed by Club Necaxa on Sunday, August 9, and Santos Laguna on Thursday, August 13. All matches will be played at Subaru Park.
Kickoff times and ticketing information will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Union qualified for Leagues Cup 2026 by winning the 2025 Supporters’ Shield and aim to build on strong performances in recent editions, having reached the semifinals in 2023 and 2024.
Leagues Cup 2026 will follow the competition format introduced in 2025, continuing a structure that emphasizes consistent interleague play and a clear path to the championship:
- Phase One features 54 matches, all contested between MLS and LIGA MX clubs
- Results from Phase One determine separate Leagues Cup standings for MLS and LIGA MX, with the top four clubs from each league advancing to the Knockout Rounds
- Interleague matchups are guaranteed through the Quarterfinals, ensuring MLS vs. LIGA MX competition at every stage leading into the Semifinals
- The tournament concludes with the Semifinals, Third Place Match, and Leagues Cup Final.
This format ensures meaningful competition at every stage while reinforcing the cross-border rivalries that have defined Leagues Cup since its inception.
Staged immediately following the FIFA World Cup 2026, Leagues Cup 2026 will continue the momentum of a landmark year for the sport in North America and further cement the tournament’s position as a marquee competition in the global soccer calendar.
Sanctioned by Concacaf, Leagues Cup 2026 will once again feature 36 clubs total, including all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualifying MLS clubs, competing in a fully interleague format that showcases the best of both leagues. As in 2025, the top nine teams from each MLS conference (Eastern Conference and Western Conference) that qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in the prior season earned entry into the tournament.
In addition, Leagues Cup 2026 will award three qualification spots to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The champion, runner-up and third-place finisher will qualify, with the tournament champion earning a direct place in the Round of 16. The Concacaf Champions Cup serves as the pathway to FIFA international club competitions, providing clubs the opportunity to represent Concacaf on the global stage.
