Leagues Cup is again in August as North America’s prime groups go head-to-head for regional bragging rights.
In an thrilling twist, a choose few MLS groups must journey south to face Liga MX groups on Mexican soil, bringing an thrilling new really feel to the mid-season event.
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Let’s dig into a few of the key storylines heading into the 2026 version of the competitors.
Cincinnati vs. Pachuca on August 5 at 7:30pm ET. Watch stay on Apple TV
Columbus vs. Atlas on August 5 at 7:45pm ET. Watch stay on Apple TV
Inter Miami vs. Atlético de San Luis on August 6 at 7:30pm ET. Watch stay on Apple TV
Liga MX seems for first winner in trendy format
📸 GIORGIO VIERA
Liga MX have typically acquired the higher of their MLS rivals in Concacaf Champions Cup, however MLS golf equipment have accomplished effectively to get revenge in Leagues Cup play. Since transferring to the fashionable format that options the vast majority of golf equipment from each leagues, MLS has produced all the winners (Inter Miami, Columbus Crew, Seattle Sounders).
The groups from south of the border have typically discovered it troublesome to regulate to long-term stays in the USA and Canada for the event, however with Liga MX sides internet hosting some video games on dwelling soil this summer season, they’ll absolutely look to play a much bigger position in dictating the place the trophy heads in September.
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On the flip facet, MLS golf equipment must present their mettle as they journey south to play in a few of the hardest environments in North American soccer. Bragging rights have simply grow to be a lot tougher to safe!
Previous associates will meet as foes
📸 Azael Rodriguez – 2026 Getty Pictures
The historic rivalry between Liga MX and MLS is made even stronger as gamers from one league transfer to the opposite, and this summer season, we have had loads of that off-field drama so as to add a bit of extra spice to the event.
Columbus Crew legend Diego Rossi lately made the transfer to Liga MX giants Monterrey after making almost 200 appearances in MLS, and he was adopted by prolific striker Hugo Cuypers, who left Chicago Hearth for Monterrey simply earlier than the beginning of the event.
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Throw in star names like Brian Gutiérrez of Chivas, previously of Chicago Hearth, Julián Carranza of Necaxa, previously of Philadelphia Union, or gamers who made the transfer the opposite route, like Inter Miami’s Germán Berterame (who made the bounce from Monterrey himself), and you’ve got your self a protracted listing of gamers with one thing to show in opposition to their former groups and leagues.
Concacaf Champions Cup qualification on the road
📸 Alika Jenner – 2025 Getty Pictures
Not solely are regional bragging rights on the road, however a spot within the Concacaf Champions Cup must be loads of motivation for the competing groups to place their finest foot ahead.
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The entire Leagues Cup winners, runner-ups, and third-place finishers will probably be given an computerized berth to the 2027 version of the Champions Cup and an opportunity to make a historic run in North and Central America’s reply to the Champions League.
After qualifying for the 2026 Champions Cup through the 2025 Leagues Cup, each the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders used the platform to make a run to the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Inter Miami look to make historical past
📸 Alika Jenner – 2025 Getty Pictures
Inter Miami are a simple choose for a favourite in any competitors they discover themselves in, and they’re going to carry that tag as soon as extra in 2026. The Herons have made it to the ultimate in two of the final three editions of the Leagues Cup, profitable it again in 2023, and they’re going to look to etch their identify within the report books this season by turning into the primary membership to win the competitors twice.
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Their MLS type has not given us any purpose to doubt their potential to make a deep run within the event, beginning off the season in a robust place to compete for the Supporters’ Protect and MLS Cup as they search for successive triumphs.
Regardless of reaching the ultimate in 2025, their implosion at Lumen Subject in opposition to event winners Seattle will depart the South Florida membership with a bitter style of their mouths. Lionel Messi and co. will certainly be seeking to proper that flawed this summer season.