2025 Leagues Cup: Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, Sergio Ramos's CF Monterrey among favorites for revamped competition between MLS and Liga MX

The 2025 Leagues Cup, the third edition of the tournament, begins on July 29th and concludes on August 31st. It features head-to-head competition between Liga MX and Major League Soccer (MLS) to crown a North American champion.

Teams compete for a trophy, prize money, bragging rights between the leagues, and qualification spots. The winner secures three spots for their league in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Additionally, the champion earns the right to represent the CONCACAF region in future FIFA international club competitions.

The tournament includes 36 teams: 18 from MLS and 18 from Liga MX. Matches will be played concurrently with both leagues' regular seasons during August. The MLS participants are the top nine teams from each conference (all 2024 playoff teams), with expansion side San Diego FC replacing Vancouver Whitecaps due to Vancouver's Champions Cup participation. Liga MX is represented by its entire 18-team league.

MLS currently holds a 2-0 lead in the tournament's history, with Inter Miami winning the inaugural edition and Columbus Crew winning the 2024 title.