The Leagues Cup 2026 has reached its knockout stage, and the quarterfinal matchups are officially locked in. Eight clubs from Liga MX and Major League Soccer will battle in single-elimination games on Tuesday, August 25, and Wednesday, August 26. While three of the four Mexican teams will play on neutral ground, Rayados de Monterrey faces the toughest road test of the round.
Monterrey's away challenge and neutral-site fixtures
Monterrey, the only Liga MX side with a true away fixture, will travel to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, to take on the Chicago Fire. The Rayados have a history of deep runs in this tournament—they reached the semifinals in 2023 before falling to Nashville SC. This time, they'll have to overcome a hostile crowd and a motivated MLS opponent to keep their title hopes alive.
The other three Liga MX clubs will enjoy neutral venues. León faces Real Salt Lake at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. América, the defending champions, meet Columbus Crew at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Toluca takes on Austin FC at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. These neutral sites add an extra layer of unpredictability, as neither side will have a true home advantage.
All four matches will be streamed on Apple TV, with select broadcasts also available on TUDN, FS1, Televisa, and Imagen TV. For fans in the U.S. and Mexico, the coverage ensures you won't miss a minute of the action.
Quarterfinal schedule at a glance
- Monterrey vs. Chicago Fire – Tuesday, Aug. 25, 5:30 PM PT, SeatGeek Stadium (Bridgeview, IL) – Apple TV
- León vs. Real Salt Lake – Tuesday, Aug. 25, 7:30 PM PT, Dick's Sporting Goods Park (Commerce City, CO) – Apple TV
- Toluca vs. Austin FC – Wednesday, Aug. 26, 5:30 PM PT, Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ) – Apple TV, UniMás, TUDN, FS1, Televisa, Imagen TV
- América vs. Columbus Crew – Wednesday, Aug. 26, 7:45 PM PT, Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, CA) – Apple TV, UniMás, TUDN, FS1, Televisa, Imagen TV
The semifinals are scheduled for September 1 and 2, with the final set for September 6. Starting in the semifinal stage, the draw restrictions are lifted, meaning we could see an all-Liga MX or all-MLS matchup. MLS clubs will be eager to protect their home record in the inter-league championship, but the Mexican sides have other plans.
For Liga MX, this edition represents a crucial benchmark. No Mexican club has reached the final since the tournament expanded in 2023. With four teams still alive, there's a real chance to break that drought. The Rayados' 2023 semifinal run remains the deepest by a Liga MX side, but this year's group looks stronger and more determined.
As the knockout rounds heat up, fans across the continent are tuning in. The Leagues Cup has become a true crossroads of North American soccer, blending the passion of Mexican football with the growing competitiveness of MLS. Whether you're rooting for the Águilas, the Diablos, or the Rayados, this quarterfinal weekend promises drama and high stakes.
For more on the tournament's broader context, check out our earlier analysis of the wide-open knockout race. And if you're following the star power, Inter Miami's clash with Monterrey was a highlight of the group stage, even without Luis Suárez.
Stay tuned to Latino World News for full coverage of the quarterfinals and beyond. The road to the Leagues Cup title runs through some of the most passionate fan bases in the Americas.
