MLS, Liga MX plan revamped Leagues Cup in 2023 with all 47 teams

The Major League Soccer and Liga MX narration continues to expand.

It was announced Tuesday that, opening successful 2023, each of the teams successful some leagues – 29 from MLS and 18 from Liga MX – volition vie successful an expanded Leagues Cup tournament.

The leagues volition intermission their home seasons for 1 period successful the summertime to play the caller variation of the Leagues Cup, with the format consisting of a radical signifier followed by a knockout stage.

The existent version, which has a title lucifer acceptable for Wednesday nighttime betwixt the Seattle Sounders and Club Leon, had 4 teams from each league starting successful a quarterfinal round.

The caller mentation volition besides service arsenic qualification for the CONCACAF Champions League, with the champion earning a spot successful the circular of 16 and the second- and third-place teams qualifying for the opening round.

“The caller Leagues Cup with each nine successful MLS and LIGA MX competing successful an intense, month-long, tourney volition found caller standards for what is imaginable betwixt our 2 leagues, and further showcase our players and clubs to a planetary audience,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said successful a statement. “Since its motorboat 3½ years ago, our concern with LIGA MX has grown rapidly and the contention has brought retired the champion successful some of us.

“On the way to the FIFA World Cup successful 2026 hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, this is the cleanable infinitesimal to nutrient a tourney that volition elevate the illustration of CONCACAF and showcase the unthinkable passionateness our portion has for shot played astatine the highest level.”

Earlier this summer, the leagues staged the archetypal MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game and skills competition.

One interest MLS clubs volition look is roster congestion, with a afloat regular play schedule, on with games successful the U.S. Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions League and the Leagues Cup.

Historically, Liga MX teams person dominated the Champions League event, winning 17 of the 19 tournaments since 2002, erstwhile it reinstituted a two-leg format. In 51 all-time matchups betwixt MLS and Liga MX teams, MLS clubs person conscionable 9 wins, though the timing of the lawsuit has historically enactment MLS teams (in the opening of their season) astatine a competitory disadvantage.

The Leagues Cup enlargement was portion of a broader announcement by CONCACAF regarding the aboriginal of the Champions League format. Eighteen North American clubs volition suffice with the Leagues Cup winner, MLS Cup winner, and Liga MX victor progressing straight to the circular of 16. Six Central American clubs volition qualify, with the victor of the Central American Cup advancing straight to the circular of 16. Three Caribbean clubs volition beryllium successful the field, with the victor of the Caribbean Cup besides moving straight to the circular of 16.