The second edition of Leagues Cup returns this summer, as all 47 clubs from Liga MX and Major League Soccer compete in the month-long tournament for the coveted trophy and a 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup slot.
The competition will run from July 26 to August 25 throughout the United States, with no matches held in Mexico.
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Despite catagorizing the inaugural edition of the competition a “success,” MLS EVP Nelson Rodriguez revealed the organizing committees sought ways to make Leagues Cup better following the final.
“Despite an amazing first year of a groundbreaking tournament and event,we thought it was important to reflect and to speak to as many different constituents as we could, fans, players, coaches, sporting directors, representatives of the leagues. How could we make this great event even better and how can we improve? And so that was the spirit, I’m glad to say it was shared by Liga MX and MLS as well as the organizing committee,” said Rodriquez to 90min.
“We were able to have honest discussions and, and find ways to improve. We focused on what we thought was a competitive equity or competitive balance that could be improved and also to see areas where we could help improve the chance at better performance.”
Liga MX and MLS executives agreed upon several changes for the upcoming tournament, including group stage pairings, rankings and the introduction of hubs.
To combat the extensive travelling done by Liga MX teams, the Leagues Cup committee granted the three top-ranked Mexican clubs ‘hub privileges.’ The new system allows the team to host matches in a pre-determined venue, to “minimize travel and serve as a reward to play as the home team.’
“Club America (League champion with a bye) will have hosting privileges through the semifinals, C.F. Monterrey (No. 1 rank) through Round of 16, Chivas Guadalajara (No. 4 rank) through Round of 32, and Tigres (No. 6 rank) throughout the Group Stage, rewarding the clubs according to their 2023 Apertura and Clausura performances.”
Liga MX clubs with hub privileges will play at venues to be announced alongside the Leagues Cup 2024 schedule and bracket at a later date.
The organizing committee also chose to adopt a ranking system, grouping the two leagues together to form three tiers.
“All participating clubs – except the two Leagues’ champions – are divided into three tiers based on the Leagues Cup Ranking (1-15, 16-30, 31-45), forming 15 groups of three clubs each, one club from each tier, prioritizing geographical and competitive balance among the 45 clubs,” explained Leagues Cup.
“For 2024, Leagues Cup will be played in two regions, East and West, with seven groups in the East and eight groups in the West, regionalizing travel for all participating clubs. Like the 2023 format, both LIGA MX and MLS Cup champions, Club America and Columbus Crew respectively, receive an automatic bye to the Round of 32.”
The two champions are not included in the Leagues Cup Ranking.
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