Leagues Cup 2026 Quarterfinals: Full Schedule, Dates & Kickoff Times
Leagues Cup 2026 Quarterfinals: Everything You Need to Know
The Leagues Cup 2026 is heating up! This week, we’ll find out which four teams make it to the semifinals. Think of it like the "final eight" in a video game tournament—only the winners move on.
Here’s your simple, no-stress guide to the quarterfinals.
What Is the Leagues Cup?
Imagine a big soccer party where teams from the USA/Canada (MLS) play against teams from Mexico (Liga MX). That’s the Leagues Cup! It happens every summer, and the winner gets a trophy plus a spot in the big international tournament called the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
How the Quarterfinals Work
| Rule | What It Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|
| Single game | No second chances—win or go home! |
| All in the USA | Every game is played on American soil (Mexican teams travel north). |
| Tied after 90 minutes? | Straight to penalty kicks—no extra time. |
| Winner advances | To the semifinals, then the final. |
Important Point: Mexican teams often complain about playing all games in the USA. It’s like always playing "away" games!
The Four Quarterfinal Matchups
1⃣ Chicago Fire vs. Monterrey (Rayados)
Tuesday, August 25
8:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM Mexico City
Apple TV
SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Illinois
| Team | Current Form | Why They’re Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire (MLS) | 7 games unbeaten (6 wins, 1 draw) 3rd in Eastern Conference |
Beat 3 Liga MX teams already in this tournament: Necaxa, Santos Laguna, Cruz Azul |
| Monterrey (Liga MX) | Mixed: 3 wins, 2 losses in league Lost first Leagues Cup game, then beat Inter Miami & Nashville |
Always scores goals—but also concedes them! |
Chicago is the "hot hand" right now. But Monterrey has big-game experience.
2⃣ Real Salt Lake vs. León (Esmeraldas)
Tuesday, August 25
10:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM Mexico City
Apple TV
DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
| Team | Current Form | Why They’re Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Real Salt Lake (MLS) | 3 games without a win (2 losses) Play-in spot in Western Conference |
Beat Atlante 4-0 and Juárez 3-0 in Leagues Cup |
| León (Liga MX) | 6 straight wins! 8th in Liga MX but peaking at right time |
Beat Nashville, Orlando, and Inter Miami in group stage |
León is the "Cinderella story"—nobody expected them to win 6 in a row, but here they are!
3⃣ Austin FC vs. Toluca (Diablos Rojos)
Wednesday, August 26
8:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM Mexico City
Apple TV, TUDN, FS1, UniMás, TSN
Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey
| Team | Current Form | Why They’re Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Austin FC (MLS) | 2nd-to-last in Western Conference But unbeaten in Leagues Cup! |
Beat Tijuana, Puebla, and beat América on penalties |
| Toluca (Liga MX) | Dominant lately: • Clausura 2025 champs • Apertura 2025 champs • CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 champs Only 1 loss in last 6 games |
Coach Antonio Mohamed wants the only trophy missing from his collection |
Biggest mismatch on paper. Toluca is a juggernaut; Austin struggles in league play but rises in this tournament.
4⃣ Columbus Crew vs. América (Águilas)
Wednesday, August 26
10:45 PM ET / 8:45 PM Mexico City
Apple TV, TUDN, FS1, UniMás, TSN
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
| Team | Current Form | Why They’re Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus Crew (MLS) | One of worst teams in MLS (5 wins in 21 games) Lost last 3 league games |
Former champs! Beat Atlas, Pachuca, and Pumas (on pens) in this tournament |
| América (Liga MX) | Liga MX leaders—undefeated! 5 wins in last 6 games Unbeaten in Leagues Cup regulation time |
The "Galácticos" of Mexican soccer—stacked roster, huge fanbase |
América is the clear favorite. But Columbus has "cup magic"—they know how to win knockout games.
Quick Reference: All Games at a Glance
| # | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Venue | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago Fire vs Monterrey | Tue Aug 25 | 8:30 PM | SeatGeek Stadium, IL | Apple TV |
| 2 | Real Salt Lake vs León | Tue Aug 25 | 10:30 PM | DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, CO | Apple TV |
| 3 | Austin FC vs Toluca | Wed Aug 26 | 8:30 PM | Sports Illustrated Stadium, NJ | Apple TV, TUDN, FS1, UniMás, TSN |
| 4 | Columbus Crew vs América | Wed Aug 26 | 10:45 PM | Dignity Health Sports Park, CA | Apple TV, TUDN, FS1, UniMás, TSN |
Key Storylines to Watch
- Home-field advantage? All games in USA—does it help MLS teams?
- Penalty shootout specialists: Austin already won one; Columbus won one. Expect more!
- Mexican dominance vs. MLS upsets: Liga MX teams have won every Leagues Cup so far. Can MLS break through?
- Form vs. Pedigree: León (hot form) vs. Toluca/América (pedigree). Who wins?
Summary
The 2026 Leagues Cup quarterfinals serve up four MLS vs. Liga MX battles this Tuesday and Wednesday. Key takeaways:
- Single elimination—one game, winner moves on.
- All games in USA—controversial but consistent.
- Ties go straight to penalties—no extra time.
- León is the hottest team (6 straight wins).
- Toluca & América are the heavy favorites (dominant domestically).
- Chicago Fire & Austin FC are MLS teams playing above their league form.
- Columbus Crew has "cup magic" despite terrible league season.
Winner of each game advances to semifinals. The final four will be set by Thursday!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What happens if a game is tied after 90 minutes?
Straight to penalty kicks! No extra time (no 30 more minutes). It’s sudden-death shootout style.
2. Why are all games played in the USA?
The tournament is organized this way for logistics, TV audiences, and attendance. Mexican teams argue it’s unfair—like playing every game as the "away" team.
3. Can I watch these games for free?
Most games are on Apple TV (requires MLS Season Pass subscription). Some are also on TUDN, FS1, UniMás—check your cable/streaming package.
4. What does the winner get?
- The Leagues Cup trophy
- A spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup (the biggest club tournament in North/Central America & Caribbean)
5. Who has won the Leagues Cup before?
- 2019: Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
- 2021: León (Liga MX) — not considered "official" by some
- 2023: Inter Miami (MLS) — with Lionel Messi!
- 2024: Columbus Crew (MLS) — current champs
Fun fact: Only two MLS teams have ever won (Inter Miami ’23, Columbus ’24). Liga MX has dominated historically.
Enjoy the games! Whether you’re Team MLS or Team Liga MX, these quarterfinals promise drama, penalties, and maybe a few upsets.