CONCACAF unveils revamped Leagues Cup format to include all MLS and Liga MX teams

September 22, 2021 By Oscar Rojas

Topics: CONCACAF, Liga MX, MLS, Mikel Arriola, Victor Montagliani, Don Garber

The winner of the competition, the runner-up and the third place, will all enter the CONCACAF Champions League when this format comes to life.

With a new format that will see all teams from both leagues getting involved in the tournament, CONCACAF, Liga MX, and the MLS unveiled a revamped version of the Leagues Cup, set to begin in 2023.

In a joint press conference, the bosses of CONCACAF, Liga MX, and the MLS revealed that teams for both leagues will lock horns in a "World Cup style" tournament each summer, which will force both of them to pause their competitions for a month to make way for this tournament.

"The new Leagues Cup with every club in MLS and LIGA MX competing in an intense, month-long, World Cup style tournament will establish new standards for what is possible between our two leagues, and further showcase our players and clubs to a global audience," MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated.

Liga MX President Mikel Arriola shared his views on the project as well.

"We are in a celebratory mood given the historic announcement about the new competition ecosystem established by CONCACAF in which there will be an expansion of Leagues Cup. This is an example of coordination and goal alignment between the Confederation, MLS and LIGA MX," Arriola said.

The announcement comes in the eve of the second Leagues Cup final set to take place this evening. León, representing Liga MX, will lock horns with Seattle Sounders to determine the second winner of the competition. The first edition of the tournament was also won by Cruz Azul in 2019.