Major League Soccer announces 2026 playoff schedule and race updates

Major League Soccer has confirmed the schedule for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs, with the championship match set for Friday, December 18. The postseason format includes a gap between the regular season conclusion on November 7 and the start of the Wild Card matches on November 18 to accommodate the November FIFA international window. This schedule allows for four uninterrupted weeks of playoff football.

Eighteen teams will qualify for the postseason, with the top nine teams from each conference. The playoffs will feature Wild Card matches, a best-of-three series for Round One, conference semifinals, and conference finals. This marks the final time the MLS Cup will be played in December due to the league's upcoming transition to a summer-spring calendar.

As the regular season nears its end, several teams are actively competing for postseason positioning. New York City FC is currently in the middle of the playoff race, requiring consistent performances and increased offensive production to secure a spot ahead of competitors such as Atlanta United and Toronto FC. The New York Red Bulls are also among the teams fighting for a position in the playoffs.