The 2026 MLS Cup playoff schedule has been presented. The seasons of 12 Major League Soccer franchises have ended, while 18 teams will return after the November international break to compete for the MLS Cup.
Format and Wild Card matches
Round One will be decided in a best-of-three series. The higher-ranked side will host the first game and a potential third match, while a match tied after regulation will be decided by a penalty shootout.
Orlando City will host FC Cincinnati at 7:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 19 in the Eastern Conference Wild Card match. Seattle Sounders will host Real Salt Lake at 10:00 p.m. ET in the Western Conference Wild Card match.
Round One opening matches
On Nov. 21, New England will host Philadelphia at 2:00 p.m. ET, Dallas will play Portland Timbers at 4:00 p.m., and Miami will play Columbus Crew at 6:00 p.m.
Nashville SC will host either Orlando or Cincinnati at 4:00 p.m. ET, Chicago Fire will host Charlotte FC at 6:30 p.m. ET, and Vancouver will host either Seattle or Real Salt Lake at 8:30 p.m. ET.
St. Louis CITY will host LAFC at 8:00 p.m. ET on Nov. 23. San Jose Earthquakes will host Houston Dynamo at 10:00 p.m. ET on Nov. 24.
Game 2 and potential decider
Game 2 will begin on Nov. 27. Columbus will host Miami at 8:00 p.m. ET, while Seattle or Real Salt Lake will host Vancouver at 10:00 p.m. ET.
On Nov. 28, Charlotte will host Chicago at 12:30 p.m. ET, San Jose will play at Houston at 2:30 p.m. ET, Philadelphia will host New England at 4:30 p.m. ET, Orlando or Cincinnati will host Nashville at 6:30 p.m. ET, and LAFC will play St. Louis at 8:30 p.m. ET. Portland will host Dallas at 10:30 p.m.
If a tiebreaker is needed to determine a series winner, the third match will take place on Dec. 2.
Later rounds and broadcast coverage
The conference semifinals will take place between Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, the conference finals between Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, and the MLS Cup on Dec. 18 at either 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. ET.
Every match of the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs will be available on Apple TV in more than 100 countries and regions. The MLS Cup final will air on FOX and FOX Deportes in the U.S. and on TSN and RDS in Canada. Select additional playoff matches will air on FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN and RDS.
