Chicago Fire FC will compete against Club Necaxa, Club Santos Laguna, and Cruz Azul in the group stage of Leagues Cup 2026. All three matches are scheduled to take place at SeatGeek Stadium in August.
The team begins its campaign in Eastern 3 of the Eastern Region, facing Club Necaxa on Thursday, August 6. They will then play Santos Laguna on Sunday, August 9, followed by a match against Cruz Azul on Thursday, August 13. Specific kickoff times and ticket details will be released later.
Leagues Cup 2026 runs from August 4 through September 6 and features participation from all 18 Liga MX teams and 18 qualified MLS clubs. During Phase One and the Quarterfinals, all matches will pit Liga MX teams against MLS opponents. Notable participants include defending Leagues Cup champion Seattle Sounders, top-ranked Toluca from Liga MX, Inter Miami as the reigning MLS Cup Champion for 2025, Cruz Azul as winner of the Concacaf Champions Cup for 2025, and runner-up Vancouver Whitecaps. For the first time in tournament history, some matches will also be held in Mexico.
The tournament serves as a qualifying event for the Concacaf Champions Cup. The top three finishers earn places in the next edition of that competition; specifically, “the champion earning a direct berth to the Round of 16.”
According to organizers: “Leagues Cup is an annual, Concacaf-sanctioned competition between Major League Soccer and LIGA MX that features top clubs from both leagues competing in a fully interleague format. Launched in 2023, the tournament represents a landmark collaboration between the two leagues and serves as a cornerstone of their long-term partnership.”
Broadcast coverage for fans extends across more than one hundred countries via Apple TV. Additional coverage is provided by TelevisaUnivision, FOX Sports, TSN and RDS for select matches. Game times and further broadcast details are expected soon.
Chicago Fire FC participates professionally within Major League Soccer conferences with a roster detailed on their official website. The club supports soccer growth throughout the Midwest region and engages with local communities through various initiatives (source). Chicago Fire FC utilizes Soldier Field for hosting home matches and events (source), has earned titles such as MLS Cup victories and multiple U.S. Open Cups (source), advances professional soccer while supporting youth development programs (source), and incorporates symbols inspired by the Great Chicago Fire into its crest (source).
Further information about tickets or schedules can be found through official channels.
