MLS Playoffs 2026 Schedule: Bracket, Dates, Teams, Format & TV, How to watch MLS Cup info
The MLS Playoffs 2026 Schedule is officially set, with Major League Soccer’s postseason beginning after the regular season concludes on November 7, 2026. The Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs will feature the top nine teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences, creating an 18-team playoff field.
The postseason begins with the Wild Card matches on November 18, followed by the Round One Best-of-3 series from November 20 through December 2.
MLS will pause between the end of the regular season and the playoffs for the November FIFA international window before beginning four consecutive weeks of postseason action.
Here is the complete MLS Playoffs 2026 Schedule, including the bracket, playoff dates, teams, Wild Card round, Best-of-3 format, conference rounds, MLS Cup, broadcast information and everything else you need to know.
When does the 2026 MLS Regular Season Ends? MLS Decision Day
The MLS regular season ends on Saturday, November 7, when all 30 MLS clubs play on the final matchday. Eastern Conference matches are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET, while Western Conference matches begin at 7 p.m. ET.
MLS Playoffs 2026 Schedule
The Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs will take place across four consecutive weeks.
| Round | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| MLS Decision Day | November 7, 2026 | Regular-season finale |
| Wild Card Matches | November 18, 2026 | Single elimination |
| Round One | November 20-December 2 | Best-of-3 |
| Conference Semifinals | December 5-6 | Single elimination |
| Conference Finals | December 11-12 | Single elimination |
| MLS Cup | December 18, 2026 | Single championship match |
MLS Playoffs 2026 Bracket
The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs feature the same bracket structure in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The top nine teams in each conference qualify, with the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds playing in the Wild Card round.
Eastern & Western Conference Bracket
| Stage | Matchups |
|---|---|
| Wild Card | No. 8 vs No. 9 |
| Round One – Series 1 | No. 1 vs Wild Card Winner |
| Round One – Series 2 | No. 2 vs No. 7 |
| Round One – Series 3 | No. 3 vs No. 6 |
| Round One – Series 4 | No. 4 vs No. 5 |
| Conference Semifinals | Winner of No. 1/Wild Card vs Winner of No. 4/5 |
| Winner of No. 3/6 vs Winner of No. 2/7 | |
| Conference Final | Highest remaining seed vs Lowest remaining seed |
| MLS Cup Final | Eastern Conference Champion vs Western Conference Champion |
Bracket Flow
Eastern Conference: Wild Card → Round One → Conference Semifinals → Eastern Conference Final → MLS Cup
Western Conference: Wild Card → Round One → Conference Semifinals → Western Conference Final → MLS Cup
When does the MLS Playoffs 2026 schedule start?
The MLS Playoffs 2026 schedule begin on Wednesday, November 18, with one Wild Card match in each conference.
How Many Teams Make the MLS Playoffs in 2026?
A total of 18 teams will qualify for the 2026 MLS playoffs.
There will be:
- 9 Eastern Conference playoff teams
- 9 Western Conference playoff teams
- 7 automatic Round One qualifiers per conference
- 2 Wild Card teams per conference
The No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in each conference must play a Wild Card match.
The Wild Card winners then become the eighth team in their respective conference’s Round One bracket.
MLS Playoffs 2026 Schedule Wild Card Round Game, Dates, Times, TV.
The MLS Playoffs 2026 begin with the Wild Card round on Wednesday, November 18. The No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in each conference will play a single elimination match. The higher seed will host the game.
The two winners will advance to Round One to face the No. 1 seed in their conference.
MLS Playoffs 2026 Schedule, Round One Matchups dates, times, TV.
MLS Playoffs Round One Series Matchups begins on Friday, November 20, and runs through Wednesday, December 2. The top seven teams in each conference automatically qualify, joining the two Wild Card winners.
Round One will feature best-of-3 series. The higher seed hosts Game 1, the lower seed hosts Game 2, and the higher seed hosts Game 3 if needed.
All 16 teams participating in Round One will play at least one home game in the series.
Eastern Conference Round One
Series – Matchup
Series 1 No. 1 vs Wild Card Winner
Series 2 No. 2 vs No. 7
Series 3 No. 3 vs No. 6
Series 4 No. 4 vs No. 5
Western Conference Round One
Series – Matchup
Series 1 No. 1 vs Wild Card Winner
Series 2 No. 2 vs No. 7
Series 3 No. 3 vs No. 6
Series 4 No. 4 vs No. 5
MLS Playoffs 2026 Schedule, Conference Semifinals Matchups, Dates, Time, TV.
The winners of the Round One series move on to the MLS Playoffs Conference Semifinals on Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6.
The MLS Playoffs semifinals are single-elimination matches, meaning the winner advances and the loser is eliminated. The team with the better regular-season record hosts each semifinal.
MLS Playoffs 2026 Schedule, Conference Finals Matchups dates, times, TV.
The MLS Playoffs Conference Finals will take place on Friday, December 11, and Saturday, December 12. The Eastern Conference and Western Conference Finals will determine the two teams that advance to the 2026 MLS Cup.
When is the 2026 MLS Cup, Date, Time, Venue, Location, TV Channel.
The MLS Playoffs 2026 Schedule concludes on when the MLS Cup will be played in primetime on Friday, December 18. The finalist that finished higher in the Supporters’ Shield standings will host the championship match.
The 2026 MLS Cup will also be the final MLS Cup played in December before the league moves to its new summer-spring calendar.
What Does the 2026 MLS Cup Winner Receive?
In addition to becoming the 2026 MLS Cup champion, the winner receives important international opportunities.
The MLS Cup winner will:
- Receive a bye into the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16
- Represent MLS in the 2027 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup
How to watch MLS Playoffs 2026 LIVE
Every MLS playoffs 2026 schedule match will be broadcast live on Apple TV and will feature English and Spanish commentary options. Select games, including MLS Cup, will also be available through FOX Sports in the United States and TSN and RDS in Canada.
All matches will feature commentary in English and Spanish, and select matches may also be available with commentary in French.
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