Nine of Major League Soccer's 10 slots are confirmed in Concacaf Champions Cup 2025, the 27-team continental tournament that awards a spot in the next FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
TEAM | QUALIFYING METHOD |
|---|---|
Colorado Rapids | 2024 Leagues Cup third place |
Columbus Crew | 2024 Leagues Cup champion |
FC Cincinnati | 2024 Supporters' Shield standings |
Inter Miami CF | 2024 Supporters' Shield |
LAFC | 2024 Leagues Cup runner-up |
LA Galaxy | 2024 Western Conference runner-up |
Real Salt Lake | 2024 Supporters' Shield standings |
Sporting Kansas City | 2024 US Open Cup finalist |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2024 Canadian Championship champion |
As Leagues Cup 2024 winners, Columbus qualify directly to the Round of 16.
Since LAFC qualified for CCC via the Leagues Cup pathway, Sporting Kansas City receive the US Open Cup slot.
How else can MLS clubs qualify?
One more MLS club will qualify for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup via their league performance:
- 2024 MLS Cup presented by Audi champion or…
- Next-best finisher in 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield standings
Non-MLS teams
The tournament will feature 27 teams across North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Six LIGA MX teams are already locked in.
- Mexico (6): Chivas Guadalajara, CF Monterrey, Club América, Cruz Azul, Pumas UNAM, Tigres UANL
- Canadian Premier League (2): 2024 Champion & Shield Winner
- Concacaf Caribbean Cup (3): 2024 Champion, Runner-Up, Third Place
- Concacaf Central American Cup (6): 2024 Champion, Runner-Up, Losing Semifinalists, Play-In Winners
TEAM | QUALIFYING METHOD | COUNTRY |
Alajuelense | 2024 Central American Cup semifinalist | Costa Rica |
Antigua | 2024 Central American Cup semifinalist | Guatemala |
CF Monterrey | Best in 2023-24 LIGA MX aggregate table | Mexico |
Chivas de Guadalajara | Next-best in 2023-24 LIGA MX aggregate table | Mexico |
Club América | 2023-24 LIGA MX Apertura & Clausura champion | Mexico |
Colorado Rapids | Leagues Cup 2024 third place | USA |
Columbus Crew | Leagues Cup 2024 champion | USA |
Cruz Azul | 2024 LIGA MX Clausura runner-up | Mexico |
FC Cincinnati | 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield standings | USA |
Forge FC | 2024 CPL Shield | Canada |
Herediano | 2024 Central American Cup semifinalist | Costa Rica |
Inter Miami CF | 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield | USA |
LAFC | Leagues Cup 2024 runner-up | USA |
LA Galaxy | 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield standings | USA |
Pumas UNAM | Next-best in 2023-24 LIGA MX aggregate table | Mexico |
Sporting Kansas City | 2024 US Open Cup finalist | USA |
Real Estelà | 2024 Central American Cup semifinalist | Nicaragua |
Real Salt Lake | 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield standings | USA |
Tigres UANL | 2023 LIGA MX Apertura runner-up | Mexico |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2024 Canadian Championship champion | Canada |
Round One bye
Of the 27 clubs participating, 22 begin play in Round One and five receive a bye to the Round of 16.
- Leagues Cup winner: Columbus Crew
- MLS Cup presented by Audi winner: TBD
- Best-performing LIGA MX champion: Club América
- Caribbean Cup champion: TBD
- Central American Cup champion: TBD
2025 format & schedule
The Concacaf Champions Cup has a direct elimination knockout stage format and contains five rounds: Round One, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final. The first four stages include home and away play, while the Final is a single-leg match.
- Round One: February 4-6 (Week 1), 11-13 (Week 2), 18-20 (Week 3) and 25-27 (Week 4)
- Round of 16: March 4-6 (First Legs) and 11-13 (Second Legs)
- Quarterfinals: April 1-3 (First Legs) and 8-10 (Second Legs)
- Semifinals: April 22-24 (First Legs) and April 29 - May 1 (Second Legs)
- Final: Sunday, June 1 (Single Leg)
The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Draw, which will determine the tournament's bracket and each club's path to the Final, will be conducted on Tuesday, December 10 (7 pm ET).
