MLS Round One 2026
The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One: Nov 20 to Dec 2, 2026. Eight best-of-three series; drawn games go straight to penalties, so the first team to two wins advances.
Round One Schedule and Scores
Projected Round One matchups
New York Red Bullsat1
Nashville SC
Chicago Fireat4
Charlotte FC
Philadelphia Unionat3
Inter Miami CF
Orlando City SCat2
New England Revolution
Colorado Rapidsat1
Vancouver Whitecaps
Houston Dynamoat4
San Jose Earthquakes
Los Angeles FCat3
FC Dallas
Seattle Sounders FCat2
St.Louis CityHow the Round One Works
Eight best-of-three series; drawn games go straight to penalties, so the first team to two wins advances.
Who plays
Seeds 1 to 7 and the two Wild Card winners.
Matchups
1 v 8/9 winner, 4 v 5, 3 v 6, 2 v 7 in each conference, best of three.
Home field
Higher seed hosts Games 1 and 3, lower seed Game 2.
What is next
The winners meet in the conference semifinals: 1/8 v 4/5 and 2/7 v 3/6.
How to Watch
Every Round One match is on Apple TV, with selected matches also on FOX in the US and on TSN and RDS in Canada. The schedule above lists the channel for each match.
Where This Round Sits
- Regular seasonFeb – Nov 7
- Round OneNov 20 – Dec 2
- Conf. SemisDec 5–6
- Conf. FinalsDec 11–12
- MLS CupDec 18
Everything on this Round One page updates automatically: matchups when they are set, scores while games are on, results when they end. The full bracket shows how this round connects to the rest of the 2026 MLS playoffs.
Round One FAQ
When is the Round One?
Nov 20 to Dec 2, 2026.
Who plays?
Seeds 1 to 7 and the two Wild Card winners.
What channel?
Apple TV; FOX for selected matches; TSN and RDS in Canada.
Who hosts?
Higher seed hosts Games 1 and 3, lower seed Game 2.
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 comes next?
The winners meet in the conference semifinals: 1/8 v 4/5 and 2/7 v 3/6.