2026 MLS Cup Playoffs

MLS Cup 2026 hosting scenarios: Where could the final be held?

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The host for MLS Cup 2026 presented by Audi (Dec. 18) is the highest-ranked team in the Supporters’ Shield standings.

As Supporters' Shield champions, Nashville SC have hosting rights as long as they remain in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.

  1. Nashville SC - GEODIS Park (77 points)
  2. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - BC Place (64 points)
  3. Inter Miami CF - Nu Stadium (60 points)
  4. New England Revolution - Gillette Stadium (58 points)
  5. FC Dallas - Toyota Stadium (58 points)
  6. Chicago Fire FC - Soldier Field (55 points)
  7. Charlotte FC - Bank of America Stadium (54 points)
  8. St. Louis CITY SC - Energizer Park (54 points)
  9. San Jose Earthquakes - PayPal Park (52 points)
  10. Houston Dynamo FC - Shell Energy Stadium (51 points)
  11. Philadelphia Union - Subaru Park (50 points)
  12. Columbus Crew - ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (47 points)
  13. LAFC - BMO Stadium (47 points)
  14. Portland Timbers - Providence Park (46 points)
  15. Orlando City - Inter.co Stadium (46 points)
  16. Seattle Sounders FC - Lumen Field (46 points)
  17. FC Cincinnati - TQL Stadium (46 points)

With their points total, Real Salt Lake cannot host MLS Cup.

Hosting rules

The finalist with the highest regular-season point total hosts MLS Cup.

If both finalists have the same number of regular-season points, the team with more wins – or, if they're tied in that category, higher goal difference – will host MLS Cup.

In the chase for the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, there are nine-team fields in both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference (18 teams total).

Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs

MLS Cup presented by Audi is set for Dec. 18, while the playoffs began Nov. 19 with both Wild Card matches. All games can be watched on Apple TV.

  • Seeds 1-7 in each conference qualify for the Round One Best-of-3 Series.
  • Seeds 8-9 in each conference qualify for the Wild Card Matches.