MLS and Liga MX confirm changes to Leagues Cup in 2023
Starting in 2023, the Leagues Cup will be a one-month summer tournament that will see MLS and Liga MX both pause. Three CCL spots will be at stake.
Major League Soccer and Liga MX made a major announcement on Tuesday regarding the change of format of the Leagues Cup starting in 2023. All the clubs from the top two leagues will compete in an annual, month-long tournament that will be played in the summer. So both leagues, MLS and Liga MX, will pause their respective campaigns for one month to play in the Leagues Cup.
What is at stake?
The idea behind this new format is to show FIFA the infrastructure and capabilities in the United States, Mexico and Canada leading up to the 2026 World Cup, the first in history to feature 48 countries and to take place in three countries. The champion of the 2023 Leagues Cup will earn a ticket to the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Second and third place will earn their spot in the opening round of the CCL and the 2023 Leagues Cup will be the first major soccer tournament to feature every club from a pair of top-flight leagues. The announcement was made by CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani alongside MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Liga MX president Mikel Arriola.
“The new Leagues Cup with every club in MLS and Liga MX competing in an intense, month-long, tournament will establish new standards for what is possible between our two leagues, and further showcase our players and clubs to a global audience,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
“Since its launch three and a half years ago, our partnership with Liga MX has grown quickly and the competition has brought out the best in both of us. On the path to the FIFA World Cup in 2026 hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, this is the perfect moment to produce a tournament that will elevate the profile of CONCACAF and showcase the incredible passion our region has for soccer played at the highest level.”
Arriola said, “We are in a celebratory mood given the historic announcement about the new competition ecosystem established by CONCACAF in which there will be an expansion of the Leagues Cup.
"This is an example of coordination and goal alignment between the confederation, MLS and Liga MX. All parties involved converged on the objective to provide the fans of North American football and all over the world greater entertainment and spectacle, provide MLS and Liga MX clubs a more intensified competition schedule to raise playing standards and quality.
"In this way, economic benefits can be reinvested, creating a virtuous cycle assisting the development of players, clubs, and marketing opportunities for futbol and sports in general.” Arriola closed by stating, “This day represents a before and after for the whole North America, Central America, and Caribbean regions as they will greatly benefit from this agreement.”