MLS 2026
MLS Cup Playoffs: format and current bracket
The top nine in each conference, 18 clubs in all, reach the playoffs. Seeds 1–7 go straight to Round One; seeds 8 and 9 play a one-game Wild Card. Round One is a best-of-three series with no draws; the conference semifinals, conference finals and MLS Cup are single games.
Bracket if the season ended today
Seeds are the conference order today (points, then wins, goal difference and goals scored). Nothing here is final until Decision Day.
Eastern Conference
Wild Card
Round One (best of three)
Western Conference
Wild Card
Round One (best of three)
No playoff games yet — the Wild Card round starts on Wed, Nov 18 (US date).
Playoffs
Wild Card
8 vs 9, one game at the 8 seed — level after 90 minutes goes straight to penalties · Wed, Nov 18
Round One (best of three)
1 vs Wild Card winner · 2 vs 7 · 3 vs 6 · 4 vs 5 — the higher seed hosts games 1 and 3 · Fri, Nov 20 – Wed, Dec 2
Conference semifinals
One game, the higher seed hosts · Sat, Dec 5 – Sun, Dec 6
Conference finals
One game, the higher seed hosts · Fri, Dec 11 – Sat, Dec 12
MLS Cup
One game, the finalist with the better regular-season record hosts · Fri, Dec 18
Dates are US dates as announced by MLS. Kick-off times appear on the schedule page in Korea time once the games are set.
Frequently asked questions
How many teams make the MLS Cup Playoffs?
Eighteen: the top nine in each conference. Seeds 1–7 go straight to Round One; seeds 8 and 9 play a one-game Wild Card for the last Round One place.
What happens to a draw in Round One?
There are no draws in the playoffs. In the Wild Card and in Round One a game level after 90 minutes goes straight to a penalty shootout; the first club to two wins takes the series. Later rounds play 30 minutes of extra time before penalties.
Is the Supporters' Shield the same as the MLS Cup?
No. The Supporters' Shield goes to the club with the best regular-season record across both conferences. MLS Cup is the playoff final.
What is a Round One best-of-three?
Two or three games with no draws: a game level after 90 minutes goes to penalties, and the first club to two wins advances. The higher seed hosts games 1 and 3.
As of 2026-10-21 · Data: ESPN public standings and scoreboards (unofficial), tallied by us. Standings and scenarios are our own calculation and may differ from MLS announcements.