News Summary
The 2025 Leagues Cup kicks off today in San Diego, featuring a new format for MLS and Liga MX teams. This in-season tournament will include 62 matches with fans able to watch live on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. The revamped structure enhances competitive balance and excitement as clubs vie for a shot at the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Matches will take place through August, culminating in the final on August 31.
San Diego: 2025 Leagues Cup Kicks Off Today with New MLS and Liga MX Format on Apple TV
The 2025 Leagues Cup officially begins today, July 29, in San Diego, marking the start of a historic tournament that will run through August 31. This event is noteworthy as it is the first in-season club tournament in North American professional sports sanctioned by Concacaf. Fans across the globe can watch every match live and exclusively on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, which is available in more than 100 countries and regions.
Overview of the Tournament Format
The 2025 Leagues Cup marks its third year with a revamped competition structure designed to increase excitement and competitive balance. The tournament features two main phases: Phase One and the knockout round, culminating in the Leagues Cup Final. A total of 62 matches are scheduled, with no possibility for draws—matches tied at regulation will proceed directly to penalty shootouts.
Phase One – Club Matchups
During Phase One, only clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX will face each other. The round runs through the Quarterfinals, during which teams compete in two-legged encounters based on their league rankings. Each MLS team will face three Liga MX opponents in this phase, determined by their standings, with the goal of fostering dynamic rivalries and competitive fairness.
Knockout Stage
Following Phase One, the knockout stage begins, pitting MLS teams against Liga MX clubs. The matchups are determined based on performance in the initial phase. This stage includes single-elimination matches, with the winners advancing until the final. Top-performing teams from the tournament will secure automatic qualification to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. The best three teams overall will earn this opportunity, potentially paving the way for continental and global club competitions, such as the FIFA Club World Cup.
Participation and Club Details
While most teams continue their regular MLS and Liga MX seasons during August, they will also participate in the Leagues Cup matches mainly played midweek. The league expansion includes 18 MLS teams, with only the top nine in each conference qualifying for the tournament. Notably, San Diego FC will compete this year, replacing the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are busy with the Concacaf Champions Cup and the Canadian Championship. The tournament features 36 clubs—18 from Liga MX and 18 from MLS.
Match Locations and Schedule
Matches are hosted at various participating clubs’ venues, aiming to reduce travel burdens for Liga MX teams, especially the higher-ranked clubs. The tournament’s schedule includes a balanced mix of group and knockout matches, primarily taking place during the week. The final is set to be played on August 31.
Qualification and Standout Teams
The previous year’s winner was Columbus Crew, who secured the title with two late goals against Los Angeles FC in 2024. The tournament has gained increased interest partly due to prominent players like Lionel Messi, who participated in last year’s event and scored 10 goals, earning MVP and Golden Boot honors. The current edition enjoys heightened attention with star players from MLS and Liga MX involved, reflecting the competition’s rising popularity.
Broadcasting and Viewing Experience
All Leagues Cup matches are available for streaming exclusively on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. Subscribers can watch live games with commentary options in English and Spanish. No blackout restrictions apply, allowing fans to access content worldwide. Features such as Multiview enable viewers to watch up to four matches simultaneously, and the Catch Up feature provides a way to see key moments after joining late.
Subscription Details
The MLS Season Pass is priced at $49 for the entire Leagues Cup tournament and remaining MLS matches, with a discounted $39 rate for existing Apple TV+ subscribers. Subscribers also gain access to on-demand content and specialized programming related to the Leagues Cup, enhancing the viewing experience.
Conclusion
The 2025 Leagues Cup introduces a new era of North American club soccer with a modernized format, exclusive broadcasting, and heightened stakes via continental qualification. It offers fans a uniquely integrated competition during the MLS and Liga MX seasons, adding excitement as teams compete for regional supremacy and a shot at global competitions.
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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
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