The report says the field will be split evenly, with 18 teams from each league. In the opening phase, clubs would play three matches against opponents from the other competition, with separate tables for MLS and Liga MX. The top four in each table would advance to the knockout rounds.
That structure gives the early games a clear purpose: teams need results against the other league to reach the last eight. The report also says four matches would be hosted by Mexican clubs, while the final and third-place match are scheduled for September 6. The top three finishers would earn places in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, adding a continental prize to the domestic rivalry.
The report recalls Seattle Sounders’ 2025 title, secured with a 3-0 win over Inter Miami. It says the final drew a crowd of 69,314, setting a competition attendance record.
It also says Luis Suárez received a six-match Leagues Cup suspension after an incident following that final. If the sanction carries over as described, the forward would miss the entire 2026 tournament-a notable absence for Miami and one of the edition’s lingering storylines.
The next test will be whether the Mexico fixtures deliver a genuine home advantage or simply widen the tournament’s reach. With the reported format offering three cross-league games before the knockout rounds, the opening week should quickly show which side is adapting best.