MLS
Which teams have qualified for MLS Cup playoffs? Schedule, start date
Inter Miami’s incredible 2024 made them the first to secure a post-season spot but plenty more have now joined them.
As we approach the MLS regular season finale, the picture is starting to take shape at the top of both conferences. Inter Miami have long since secured their passage to the playoffs and now, with less than a month to go until Decision Day, five other teams have joined them.
Three teams in each conference have now booked their place in the post-season. Joining Inter Miami in the East are reigning Supporters’ Shield champions FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew, the 2023 MLS Cup winners.
There are a further three qualifiers in the Western Conference, with league leaders LA Galaxy the first to clinch their spot. Over the weekend Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids joined them. Following behind, LAFC and Houston Dynamo are close to confirming qualification for the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs.
The only midweek action for MLS clubs sees LAFC and Sporting Kansas City go head-to-head for the US Open Cup, while Columbus Crew take on Club America in Campeones Cup. The regular season action returns next weekend (Saturday, September 28) with a full slate of fixture.
MLS Cup playoffs: Start date and schedule
Most team have just four regular season remaining but there are still 12 potential playoff places up for grabs. In both conferences the top seven teams will progress to Round One of the post-season proper, while two teams will battle it out for the eighth spot via the Wild Card games.
The Wild Card round was a new addition for 2023, introducing a one-off winner-takes-all game between the teams in eighth and ninth in each conference. Of the 29 MLS teams all but two (Sporting Kansas City, San Jose Earthquakes) are still capable of making it to the playoffs.
MLS Cup playoffs schedule
- Decision Day - Saturday, October 19
- Wild Card Round - Wednesday, October 23
- Round One (Best-of-3 series) - Saturday, October 26 - Sunday, November 10
- Conference Semi-finals - Saturday, November 23 - Sunday, November 24
- Conference Finals - Saturday, November 30 - Sunday, December 1
- MLS Cup - Saturday, December 7
The regular season ends with Decision Day on Saturday, October 19. Across one afternoon 28 MLS teams will be action with games played in two simultaneous bursts, first the Eastern Conference and then the Western Conference. Last year’s eventual MLS Cup winners, Columbus Crew, finished third in the Eastern Conference but bulldozed their way to the 2023 title, beating Supporters’ Shield champions FC Cincinnati en route to the final.