Major League Soccer and Liga MX announced that Las Vegas will play host to final of the inaugural Leagues Cup. The game will take place on Wednesday, September 18 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
“Las Vegas is an exciting market that has become a destination for professional teams and marquee sports events, and we’re proud to bring the inaugural Leagues Cup final to the city,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “An intense rivalry is developing between Major League Soccer and Liga MX clubs, and Leagues Cup will provide thrilling competition while further elevating the profile of the game in North America. We have no doubt that the support for the historic, first-ever Leagues Cup final from the passionate soccer fans of Las Vegas and surrounding region will be tremendous, and the atmosphere at Sam Boyd Stadium will be electric.”
Leagues Cup is a new annual competition between teams from MLS and Liga MX, with four clubs from each league facing off in an eight-team single-elimination tournament. The quarterfinals will take place on July 23-24 at the stadiums of the four MLS clubs — Chicago Fire (vs. Cruz Azul), Houston Dynamo (vs. Club América), LA Galaxy (vs. Club Tijuana) and Real Salt Lake (vs. Tigres UANL). The semifinals will take place on August 20 at venues to be determined based on quarterfinal results.
Sam Boyd Stadium has previously hosted Mexican national team matches, as well as several other international soccer events.
“Soccer is the world’s sport and Las Vegas is the world’s city,” Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman said. “It is a perfect fit for the exciting Leagues Cup final to be played in Las Vegas. Our city loves soccer, and we hope to continue our relationship with the Leagues Cup and Major League Soccer in the years to come.”