Major League Soccer has laid out the full path to the 2026 MLS Cup, giving clubs and supporters a clearer picture of the postseason ahead of the regular-season finish. Decision Day is scheduled for November 7, with all 30 clubs completing a 34-match campaign before the playoff field is finalized.
The top nine teams in each conference will qualify. Seeds one through seven will advance directly to the best-of-three first round, while the eighth- and ninth-place clubs will meet in single-elimination Wild Card matches on November 18. First-round games cannot end in draws and will go directly to penalty kicks if tied after regulation.
The format changes after the opening round. Conference semifinals and conference finals will be single-elimination matches, with extra time available before penalties. MLS Cup is scheduled for December 18 and will be hosted by the finalist with the better regular-season record, adding another reward for teams that finish the campaign strongly.
