The CONCACAF Champions Cup has officially kicked off, marking the start of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean’s biggest club football competition. The 2026 edition began on February 3 and will conclude with the final on May 30, 2026.
This season features 27 clubs from Liga MX, MLS, the Canadian Premier League, Central America, and the Caribbean. The tournament follows a knockout format, and the stakes are high, as the winner earns a direct place in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Mexican giants Cruz Azul enter the tournament as defending champions, while Inter Miami — featuring Lionel Messi have received a direct bye to the Round of 16.
Tournament Format and Full Schedule
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Round One – First Leg | Feb 3–5 & Feb 17–19 |
| Round One – Second Leg | Feb 10–12 & Feb 24–26 |
| Round of 16 | Mar 10–12 & Mar 17–19 |
| Quarterfinals | Early April |
| Semifinals | Late April |
| Final | May 30, 2026 (Single Match) |
All knockout rounds are played over two legs, except the final, which is a single-match showdown.
Round One First-Leg Matches (Feb 3–4, 2026)
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 3 | Forge FC vs Tigres UANL | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 3 | CD Olimpia vs Club América | 8:00 PM |
| Feb 3 | San Diego FC vs Pumas UNAM | 10:00 PM |
| Feb 4 | Club Xelajú vs CF Monterrey | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 4 | Vancouver FC vs Cruz Azul | 9:00 PM |
Liga MX clubs start as favorites in most ties, but MLS and Canadian teams are expected to challenge strongly, especially at home.
How to Watch CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 Live
United States
- English: FS1, FS2, Tubi (free selected matches)
- Spanish: TUDN, ViX+
- Streaming: FOX Sports App, FuboTV (trial available), Tubi
Canada
- OneSoccer
Mexico
- FOX Sports, FOX, Tubi
Central America & Caribbean
- Disney+, ESPN
Rest of the World
- CONCACAF GO (concacafgo.com)
- CONCACAF YouTube channel (selected free matches)
India
- Matches may be available on CONCACAF GO
- VPN access can be used for platforms like Tubi or FuboTV
- Availability on Indian OTT platforms may vary
Also see: Top 10 Richest Football Clubs in the World 2026
Free Streaming Options
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Tubi | Free FOX Sports matches |
| CONCACAF GO | Selected live games |
| CONCACAF YouTube | Limited free streams |
| FuboTV | Free trial (region-based) |
Key Things to Know
- Debut Teams: San Diego FC and Mount Pleasant FA are appearing for the first time.
- Strong Favorites: Tigres, Club América, Monterrey, Cruz Azul, and Pumas UNAM.
- Inter Miami Entry: Lionel Messi’s team joins from the Round of 16.
- High Stakes: Tournament winner qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup.
With elite clubs, emerging teams, and global stars involved, the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup promises drama from the opening round to the final in May.
