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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 Vancouver Whitecaps at  Chicago Fire | Vancouver Whitecaps: No. 1 seed · Chicago Fire: No. 5 seed | ||
 CF Montréal at  Toronto FC | CF Montréal: in the hunt, 9 points back · Toronto FC: in the hunt, 4 points back | ||
 New York City FC at Chicago Fire | New York City FC: No. 9 seed · Chicago Fire: No. 5 seed | ||
 DC United at  Inter Miami CF | DC United: in the hunt, 3 points back · Inter Miami CF: No. 3 seed | ||
 Columbus Crew at  Orlando City SC | Columbus Crew: in the hunt, 4 points back · Orlando City SC: No. 7 seed | ||
 FC Cincinnati at  Atlanta United | FC Cincinnati: in the hunt · Atlanta United: in the hunt, 6 points back | ||
 Seattle Sounders FC at  New England Revolution | Seattle Sounders FC: No. 7 seed · New England Revolution: No. 2 seed | ||
 Real Salt Lake at  Philadelphia Union | Real Salt Lake: in the hunt, 4 points back · Philadelphia Union: No. 6 seed | ||
 San Diego FC at  New York Red Bulls | San Diego FC: in the hunt, 4 points back · New York Red Bulls: No. 8 seed | ||
 FC Dallas at  Charlotte FC | FC Dallas: No. 3 seed · Charlotte FC: No. 4 seed | ||
 Nashville SC at  Austin FC | Nashville SC: No. 1 seed · Austin FC: in the hunt, 5 points back | ||
 Houston Dynamo at  Minnesota United | Houston Dynamo: No. 5 seed · Minnesota United: in the hunt, 7 points back |
Projected Round One matchups
New York Red Bullsat1Nashville SCChicago Fireat4Charlotte FCPhiladelphia Unionat3Inter Miami CFOrlando City SCat2New England Revolution
Colorado Rapidsat1Vancouver WhitecapsHouston Dynamoat4
San Jose Earthquakes
Los Angeles FCat3FC DallasSeattle 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.