For the first time since the tournament’s inception, every single club from Mexico’s top division threw their hat in the ring for the 2025 Leagues Cup, a showcase that pitted 18 Liga MX teams against an equal number of Major League Soccer clubs from July 29 to August 31 across the United States and Canada.

Hosted in 15 venues from Portland to Miami, the competition featured 62 matches, with the opening phase guaranteeing an MLS‑Liga MX face‑off in every game. The stakes were high: the three clubs that finished on the podium earned places in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the region’s premier club tournament.

Why All 18 Mexican Clubs Matter

The decision to grant automatic entry to every Liga MX franchise was a departure from earlier editions, where only a handful of Mexican sides qualified based on league performance. Club América, along with five other heavyweights—Cruz Azul, Toluca, Tigres UANL, CF Monterrey and Pumas UNAM—were given hosting privileges, meaning they could play multiple games on home soil while sparing their players the rigors of cross‑border travel.

The seeding for the tournament mirrored each club’s 2024‑25 Apertura and Clausura finishes, a method designed to keep the groups competitive. Group A of the East League, for instance, featured Club América, Cruz Azul, and Toluca alongside MLS sides like the New York Red Bulls, creating matchups that felt like a mini‑World Cup.

Phase One: The All‑Cross‑League Group Stage

Phase One kicked off at Providence Park on July 30, where the Portland Timbers welcomed Atlético de San Luis for a crisp 2‑1 victory. The format awarded three points for a regulation win, two for a shoot‑out win, and one for a shoot‑out loss, ensuring that every match mattered in the race for the top four spots in each league.

Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium saw a flurry of action later that week. First up was FC Juárez on July 31, followed by a marquee clash against C.D. Guadalajara (known to fans as Chivas) on August 3, and finally a showdown with CF Monterrey on August 7. Each game drew crowds of 20,000‑plus, underscoring the growing appetite for MLS‑Liga MX duels.

Knockout Rounds and Surprising Upsets

When the group stage wrapped on August 14, the quarterfinals unfolded in rapid succession. The top‑seeded Seattle Sounders, who had cruised through Phase One with three straight wins, faced off against Atlas FC in a match that turned into a tactical masterclass, ending 3‑0 in Seattle’s favor.

On the opposite side of the bracket, Inter Miami CF capitalized on a penalty‑shoot‑out win over Tigres UANL to secure its place in the final. Notably, no Liga MX club advanced beyond the semifinals, a narrative twist that left Mexican supporters both proud of the participants’ effort and disappointed by the lack of a deep run.

Championship Showdown at Lumen Field

The grand finale on August 31 turned Lumen Field into a sea of blue and green as 69,314 fans watched Seattle Sounders FC defeat Inter Miami 3‑0, clinching the club’s inaugural Leagues Cup crown. The victory not only delivered a trophy but also punched Seattle’s ticket to the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, joining the runners‑up Inter Miami and third‑place club Club León.

After the final whistle, Sounders captain Jordan Morris lifted the silverware, while MLS commissioner Don Garber praised the tournament’s “unparalleled intensity” and hinted at further format tweaks for 2026.

What the Numbers Reveal

• 62 matches played, with 58 featuring an MLS‑Liga MX matchup.
• Average attendance of 22,800 per game, up 12% from 2024.
• Seattle Sounders logged 9 goals across the tournament, the highest total.
• Mexican clubs collectively earned 48 points in Phase One, a 6‑point improvement over the previous edition.
• The tournament generated an estimated $85 million in media and sponsorship revenue.

Expert Take: The Future of Cross‑Border Club Competition

Soccer analyst Javier Hernández (not the striker) noted, “The 2025 Leagues Cup proved that a full‑participation model for Liga MX adds depth and marketability. The next step is to fine‑tune the schedule so Mexican clubs can compete for the title, not just a Champions Cup berth.”

Meanwhile, former MLS player and commentator Cobi Jones highlighted the commercial upside: “Fans in both countries are hungry for more high‑stakes games. The record attendance in Seattle shows the appetite is there.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

Organizers confirmed that the 2026 edition will maintain the 36‑team format but will halve the number of automatic Liga MX spots, requiring performance‑based qualification for at least six Mexican clubs. The change aims to reward consistency while preserving the tournament’s inclusive spirit.

In addition, the top three finishers—Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, and Club León—will join MLS clubs LA Galaxy and New York City FC, as well as Mexican side Cruz Azul, in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, setting the stage for a continental showdown that could reshape North American club hierarchies.