Leagues Cup unveils the official 2025 schedule, with Columbus Crew opening against Toluca

The Leagues Cup have unveiled the official schedule for the 2025 edition, featuring an new format that pits MLS teams against LIGA MX opponents throughout the tournament’s initial stages.

The competition, set to run from July 29 to Aug. 31, will see 18 MLS teams and all 18 LIGA MX clubs battling for the coveted Leagues Cup trophy and coveted spots in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

This will be the first time that the new format of the Leagues Cup will be used, as it was created following a collaborative effort of the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee. The Committee was comprised of representatives from Leagues Cup, MLS and LIGA MX leadership.

Not only that, host privileges will be awarded to the six top-ranked Liga MX teams to ensure neutral venues and less travel.

The 2025 edition of the Leagues Cup is set to take place from July 29th, nearly five months after the 2025 MLS season kicks off. The format of the Leagues Cup has changed as the tournament will be played in two rounds: Phase One and the Knockout Rounds. Phase One will feature three consecutive match dates per club to be played between July 29-Aug. 7 with all 54 Phase One matches to be played between MLS and LIGA MX clubs.

However, while they will be competing against teams from the opposite league, the teams will be competing in a league specific table and earn points. Thus, an MLS club’s win earns points on the Leagues Cup MLS table while a Liga MX club’s win contributes points to the Leagues Cup Liga MX table.

The top four advance to the quarter-finals and will then be placed into a fixed bracket for a single game elimination Knockout round.