MLS Playoff Schedule 2026
Full 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs schedule with dates, kickoff times (Eastern), channels and scores: Wild Card matches Nov 18, Round One Nov 20 to Dec 2, conference semifinals Dec 5-6, conference finals Dec 11-12 and MLS Cup on Friday, Dec 18.
MLS Playoff Schedule by Round
Games that shape the playoff race this week
| Date | Matchup | Kickoff (ET) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
 DC United at  FC Cincinnati | DC United: in the hunt, 3 points back · FC Cincinnati: No. 9 seed | ||
 Nashville SC at  CF Montréal | Nashville SC: No. 1 seed · CF Montréal: in the hunt, 11 points back | ||
 Toronto FC at  Columbus Crew | Toronto FC: in the hunt · Columbus Crew: in the hunt, 1 point back | ||
 Inter Miami CF at  New York Red Bulls | Inter Miami CF: No. 2 seed · New York Red Bulls: No. 8 seed | ||
 Chicago Fire at  Atlanta United | Chicago Fire: No. 4 seed · Atlanta United: in the hunt, 6 points back | ||
 New York City FC at  Orlando City SC | New York City FC: in the hunt, 2 points back · Orlando City SC: No. 7 seed | ||
 New England Revolution at  Philadelphia Union | New England Revolution: No. 3 seed · Philadelphia Union: No. 6 seed | ||
| FC Cincinnati at DC United | FC Cincinnati: No. 9 seed · DC United: in the hunt, 3 points back | ||
 San Jose Earthquakes at  FC Dallas | San Jose Earthquakes: No. 4 seed · FC Dallas: No. 3 seed | ||
 Minnesota United at  Houston Dynamo | Minnesota United: in the hunt, 5 points back · Houston Dynamo: No. 5 seed | ||
 Austin FC at  Sporting Kansas City | Austin FC: in the hunt, 8 points back | ||
 Vancouver Whitecaps at  Colorado Rapids | Vancouver Whitecaps: No. 1 seed · Colorado Rapids: No. 9 seed |
Projected Round One matchups
New York Red Bullsat1Nashville SC
Charlotte FCat4Chicago FirePhiladelphia Unionat3New England RevolutionOrlando City SCat2Inter Miami CF
LA Galaxyat1Vancouver WhitecapsHouston Dynamoat4San Jose Earthquakes
Los Angeles FCat3FC Dallas
Seattle Sounders FCat2
St.Louis CityMLS Playoff Schedule: Key Dates and TV
| Round | Dates | Series | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round One | Nov 20 – Dec 2, 2026 | 8 · best of 3 | Apple TV; FOX for selected matches; TSN and RDS in Canada |
| Conference Semifinals | Dec 5–6, 2026 | 4 · best of 1 | Apple TV; FOX for selected matches; TSN and RDS in Canada |
| Conference Finals | Dec 11–12, 2026 | 2 · best of 1 | Apple TV; FOX for selected matches; TSN and RDS in Canada |
| MLS Cup | Dec 18, 2026 | 1 · best of 1 | Apple TV and FOX; TSN and RDS in Canada |
This MLS playoff schedule fills in the moment the 2026 matchups are confirmed; the round dates are already fixed. Times are Eastern. The bracket shows the same games by round, and each team page lists its own path.
MLS playoff schedule FAQ
When are the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs?
Wild Card matches Nov 18, Round One Nov 20 to Dec 2, conference semifinals Dec 5-6, conference finals Dec 11-12 and MLS Cup on Friday, Dec 18, after Decision Day on Nov 7.
What channel are the 2026 MLS playoffs on?
Every match streams on Apple TV; selected matches are also on FOX in the US, and on TSN and RDS in Canada. MLS Cup is on Apple TV and FOX.
When is MLS Cup 2026?
Friday, Dec 18 in prime time, at the finalist with the better regular-season record; it is the last MLS Cup played in December.
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.