Audi MLS Cup Playoffs | November 19 – December 18, 2026
The race for the 2026 MLS Cup is officially on. Following an exciting Decision Day on November 7, the playoff field is set, with 18 clubs preparing for a postseason battle to become Major League Soccer champions.
This year’s tournament features established contenders, ambitious challengers and several teams capable of producing major upsets.
The two teams to watch are Nashville SC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the respective conference No. 1 seeds.
Eastern Conference – Playoff Field
Seed Team
1 Nashville SC
2 Inter Miami CF
3 New England Revolution
4 Chicago Fire
5 Charlotte FC
6 Philadelphia Union
7 Columbus Crew
8 Orlando City
9 FC Cincinnati
Western Conference – Playoff Field
Seed Team
1 Vancouver Whitecaps
2 FC Dallas
3 St. Louis CITY SC
4 San Jose Earthquakes
5 Houston Dynamo
6 LAFC
7 Portland Timbers
8 Seattle Sounders
9 Real Salt Lake
Wild Card Round – November 19
Two elimination games will determine the final Round One participants.
Conference Matchup Time
East Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati 7:30 PM
West Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake 10:00 PM
The winners advance to face Nashville and Vancouver, respectively.
Round One – Best-of-Three Matchups
Eastern Conference
Nashville SC vs. Orlando/Cincinnati winner
Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew
New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union
Chicago Fire vs. Charlotte FC
Western Conference
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle/Real Salt Lake winner
FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers
St. Louis CITY SC vs. LAFC
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo
Round One uses a home-away-home format, with the first team to win two matches advancing.
Five Major Storylines
1. Inter Miami and Lionel Messi
Miami has the star power and attacking quality to make another championship run.
Messi will be central to its ambitions.
2. Vancouver’s championship opportunity
The Whitecaps finished first in the Western Conference and will be looking to turn regular-season success into their first MLS Cup championship.
3. Nashville SC’s opportunity
Nashville enters as the Eastern Conference’s top seed and has home-field advantage throughout the postseason when it remains the higher seed.
4. LAFC’s championship ambitions
LAFC has the experience and quality to make a deep playoff run, but faces a difficult opening matchup against St. Louis.
5. The underdogs
Charlotte, Portland, Philadelphia and San Jose could make life difficult for the higher seeds.
Final Verdict
The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs promise an exciting postseason filled with star power, dramatic finishes and championship pressure.
Vancouver has home-field advantage in the West, Nashville leads the East, and Miami has the firepower to challenge everyone.
The road to MLS Cup begins November 19.
The question now is who will lift the trophy on December 18?
