Leagues Cup 2024 Preview: Format Breakdown & Groups

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Published on July 23, 2024

It's the second year of the current iteration of the Leagues Cup, which pits Major League Soccer against Liga MX. Last season's competition saw the introduction of Lionel Messi, as Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC on penalties in the final.

FORMAT

There are a few differences in the format this season. The competition has been simplified to only two regions (East and West). Each group has three teams, with the top two moving to the Round of 32. The Liga MX and MLS winners from the previous season, Club America and Columbus Crew, get an automatic bye to the Round of 32.

While all matches take place in either the United States or Canada, this season, the top four Liga MX clubs (Club America, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Tigres) get "hub rights" that allow them to host matches in a fixed location and play teams on neutral sites in the knockout rounds. Club America's hub privilege lasts through the semifinals, Monterrey through the Round of 16, Guadalajara through the Round of 32, and Tigres for group stage matches only.

The groups are created in a tier system, with each group comprising a Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 club. In the group stage, a regulation win counts as three points. If a match is a draw after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will ensue, with the winning side gaining two points and the losing side receiving a single point.

Courtesy of the Leagues Cup Official Site

FOR THE WINNERS

Teams are competing for a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup with the top three receiving automatic bids to the competition. Last year's competition was shocking, as several teams showed no interest in the tournament, fielding flat-out embarrassing teams. Some teams rotated goalkeepers, while others fielded a complete B squad as they wanted to focus on league play or recover from injuries.

Teams Already Qualified for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup

Liga MX

Club America - 2023 Apertura Winner
Tigres UANL - 2023 Apertura Runner-Up
Cruz Azul - 2024 Clausura Runner-Up
Monterrey - Aggregate Table amongst teams who didn't already qualify
Chivas Guadalajara - Aggregate Table amongst teams who didn't already qualify
Pumas UNAM - Aggregate Table amongst teams who didn't already qualify

If any of the six Liga MX sides finish top 3 in the Leagues Cup, CCC bids will be given to:

One of the teams above in the top 3, Toluca qualify
Two of the teams above in the top 3, Toluca & Pachuca qualify
Three of the teams above in the top 3, Toluca, Pachuca & Leon qualify

MLS

None have qualified yet
Bids Available
- MLS Cup Winner
- Eastern Conference Regular Season Champion
- Western Conference Regular Season Champion
- Two clubs with the most points in the regular season that aren't already qualified
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Winner
  - The semifinals are Sporting KC vs. Indy Eleven and Seattle vs. LAFC
- Canadian Championship Winner
  - The semifinals are Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Pacific FC & Toronto FC vs. Forge FC