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
Round One Nov 20 – Dec 2, 2026 · best of 3
Philadelphia Union vs New England Revolution Game 1 · Apple TV
| Game | Date | Matchup | Result | TV (US) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 |  Philadelphia Union at  New England Revolution | Apple TV | Gillette Stadium | ||
| G2 | New England Revolution at Philadelphia Union | Apple TV | Subaru Park |
Portland Timbers vs FC Dallas Game 1 · Apple TV
| Game | Date | Matchup | Result | TV (US) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 |  Portland Timbers at  FC Dallas | Apple TV | Toyota Stadium | ||
| G2 | FC Dallas at Portland Timbers | Apple TV | Providence Park |
Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami CF Game 1 · Apple TV
| Game | Date | Matchup | Result | TV (US) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 |  Columbus Crew at  Inter Miami CF | Apple TV | Nu Stadium | ||
| G2 | Inter Miami CF at Columbus Crew | Apple TV | Lower.com Field |
Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire Game 1 · Apple TV
| Game | Date | Matchup | Result | TV (US) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 |  Charlotte FC at  Chicago Fire | Apple TV | SeatGeek Stadium | ||
| G2 | Chicago Fire at Charlotte FC | Apple TV | Bank of America Stadium |
Los Angeles FC vs St.Louis City Game 1 · Apple TV
| Game | Date | Matchup | Result | TV (US) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 |  Los Angeles FC at  St.Louis City | Apple TV | Energizer Park | ||
| G2 | St.Louis City at Los Angeles FC | Apple TV | BMO Stadium |
Houston Dynamo vs San Jose Earthquakes Game 1 · Apple TV
| Game | Date | Matchup | Result | TV (US) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 |  Houston Dynamo at  San Jose Earthquakes | Apple TV | PayPal Park | ||
| G2 | San Jose Earthquakes at Houston Dynamo | Apple TV | Shell Energy Stadium |
How 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.