Leagues Cup 2026: MLS vs. Liga MX Showdown Expands with Mexico Games

The 2026 Leagues Cup is set to expand its footprint, bringing matches to Mexico for the first time and intensifying the rivalry between Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX. The tournament, scheduled from August 4 through September 6, will feature all 18 teams from both leagues and award three qualification spots for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Real Salt Lake to Host Liga MX Trio

Real Salt Lake (RSL) will host three Liga MX teams at America First Field this fall as part of the Leagues Cup tournament. Tigres UANL will be the first visitor, arriving on Tuesday, August 4. They will be followed by Mazatlan FC on Saturday, August 8 and FC Juarez on Tuesday, August 11.

RSL has a historical record of 6 wins, 6 losses, and 5 ties against Mexican visitors, with the overall goal difference being 24-21 in favor of Liga MX teams.

Tournament Format and Key Dates

The 2026 Leagues Cup will feature 54 interleague matchups during Phase One, with the top three ranked Liga MX clubs hosting games in Mexico. Specifically, Toluca FC will host two matches at Estadio Nemesio Díez, Tigres UANL will host one at Estadio Universitario, and Club América will host one at Estadio Azteca.

The tournament’s schedule is as follows:

• Phase One: August 4 – August 13 (54 matches)
• Quarterfinals: August 25 – August 27
• Semifinals: September 1 – September 2
• Final & Third-Place Match: September 6

Qualification for Concacaf Champions Cup

The Leagues Cup champion will earn a direct berth to the Round of 16 of the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The tournament’s runner-up and third-place finisher will also qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Broadcast Information

All matches will be streamed on Apple TV in over 100 countries and regions. Select matches will also be broadcast on TelevisaUnivision, FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS.

RSL’s Leagues Cup History

Real Salt Lake enters the 2026 tournament ranked 30th out of 36 participants, fifth in the West 1 pod, which also includes Vancouver and Minnesota. RSL has a notable history with Tigres UANL, having faced them four previous times. Tigres eliminated RSL from the Concacaf Champions League in 2016, winning 2-0 in Mexico and drawing 1-1 in Utah. A memorable moment for RSL came in the 2025 Leagues Cup, where goalkeeper Rafa Cabral starred in a penalty shootout against Club América.

Ticketing information for RSL’s Phase One matches will be communicated to season ticket members soon, with individual ticket on-sale dates to be announced.