MLS Playoff Bracket 2026
Projected 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs bracket from today’s table: in each conference 1 plays the 8/9 Wild Card winner, 4 plays 5, 3 plays 6 and 2 plays 7. The bracket is fixed, with no reseeding, and is set on Decision Day (Nov 7, 2026).
MLS Playoff Bracket: Round One to MLS Cup
RBNYNY Red Bulls
NSHSC
CHIFire
CLTFC
PHIUnion
MIACF
ORLCity SC
NERevolution
COLRapids
VANWhitecaps
HOUDynamo
SJEarthquakes
LAFCFC
DALDallas
SEASounders FC
STLSt. LouisHow the MLS Playoff Bracket Is Built
Who qualifies
The top nine in each conference by points; 1 to 7 go straight into Round One.
Wild Card
No. 9 at No. 8 in one match; a draw goes straight to penalties. The winner plays No. 1.
Round One
Best of three: 1 v 8/9 winner, 4 v 5, 3 v 6, 2 v 7. Then single matches with no reseeding.
MLS Cup
East champion v West champion on Friday, Dec 18, at the finalist with the better record.
The MLS playoff bracket above is projected from today’s standings and becomes the official bracket the night the regular season ends. For dates and kickoff times see the playoff schedule; to see who is still fighting for these spots, open the playoff picture, or pick your own bracket.
MLS playoff bracket FAQ
Does MLS reseed the playoffs?
No. The 1 v 8/9 winner meets the 4 v 5 winner and the 2 v 7 winner meets the 3 v 6 winner in the conference semifinals.
How does Round One work?
Best of three: the higher seed hosts Games 1 and 3, the lower seed Game 2. A drawn game goes straight to a penalty shoot-out, so every game has a winner; the first team to two wins advances.
What happens if a later playoff match is tied?
From the conference semifinals on, a draw after 90 minutes goes to 30 minutes of extra time and then penalties.
Who hosts MLS Cup?
The finalist with the better regular-season record. Every other single match is hosted by the higher seed.
How many teams make the MLS playoffs?
18 of 30: the top nine in each conference. Seeds 1 to 7 go straight to Round One; seeds 8 and 9 play a Wild Card match.