Late this summer Minnesota United returns to the Leagues Cup for the fourth consecutive season. The Leagues Cup has been a bit of a mixed bag for the Loons having gone as far as the Quarter-finals in 2023, and phase one eliminations in 2024 and 2025. On the flip side it's also featured huge breakouts for multiple players, Bongi finishing as the number two goalscorer in 2023 and Tani scoring two goals in three matches in 2025 before leaving for Spain on a transfer.
This year the Leagues Cup looks almost different from last season. Clubs will be split into Eastern and Western and play three sides from the opposing league. For the first time ever some Liga MX side will host matches in Mexico. Club Toluca will host two matches while Tigres and Club América will host one each.
Following the three league phase matches the top four clubs in each league (not group or region) will then head to the knockout phase, which concludes on 6 September. During the league phase Minnesota will not play a single MLS match, but if they advance to the knockouts then fixture congestion may become an issue as they already have four matches set between 15 August and the 29th.
As in past seasons, MNUFC is hosting all three of their Leagues Cup opponents at Allianz Field and the opponents for 2026 could not be anymore different. Up first on 4 August FC Juárez comes to town to open the tournament. Los Bravos have only existed for a little over 10 years, starting play in the 2015-16 season. FCJ moved up to the top flight in 2019-20 following the purchase of Lobos BUAP and relocation of that club's Liga MX rights.
Second up is the toughest match of the competition with Tigres UANL coming to St. Paul. The 8 time Liga MX, 3 time Copa MX, and four time "Champion of Champions" the Tigers have consistently been one of the best teams in Mexican football. While not part of Mexico's "Big Four" they are certainly one of the most supported clubs in the country and it's certain their fans will make Allianz Field their home away from home.
Finishing up the league phase is a Tuesday night match on 11 August vs Mazatlán FC. Founded just five years ago Mazatlán exists due to the relocation of Monarcas Morelia to the Sinaloa state. Mazatlán has struggled since joining Liga MX having finished outside of the bottom six only twice across ten competitions and finishing 18th in the 2023 Clausura.
The Leagues Cup will be aired on Apple TV, FOX Sports, TelevisaUnivision, and TSN/RDS. Match kickoff times are slated to be announced at a later date.
