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    MLS Cup Fantasy 2026

    Draft your MLS Cup contender roster for the 2026 playoffs. Create soccer fantasy leagues with the one-player-per-team rule.

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    How MLS Cup Fantasy Works

    The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs feature 18 teams competing from late October through the MLS Cup final in early December. Draft your championship roster with one player per MLS team maximum.

    Draft Rules

    • Draft players across the playoff bracket
    • Maximum 1 player per MLS team (no stacking Inter Miami or LAFC)
    • Mix positions strategically: forwards score on goals, midfielders on assists, defenders and goalkeepers on clean sheets and saves

    Playoff Format

    Wild Card Round (late October):

    • Single match per conference (8 seed vs 9 seed)
    • Winners advance to Round One

    Round One (late October/early November):

    • Best-of-3 series
    • Seeds 1 through 7 plus Wild Card winners
    • Higher seed hosts Games 1 and 3

    Conference Semifinals (November):

    • Single elimination
    • Higher remaining seed hosts

    Conference Finals (late November):

    • Single elimination
    • East Champion vs West Champion in the MLS Cup final

    MLS Cup Final (early December):

    • Single match for the championship
    • Hosted by the higher-seeded finalist

    Scoring System

    ⚽ Outfield Players

    • Goal: +6 points
    • Assist: +3 points
    • Clean sheet (DEF): +4 points
    • Clean sheet (MID): +1 point
    • Yellow card: -1 point
    • Red card: -3 points
    • Own goal: -2 points
    • Penalty missed: -2 points

    🧤 Goalkeepers

    • Clean sheet: +4 points
    • Save: +1 point
    • Penalty saved: +5 points
    • Goal: +6 points
    • Assist: +3 points
    • Yellow card: -1 point
    • Red card: -3 points

    Why Play MLS Cup Fantasy?

    Playoff Soccer

    Single-elimination matches from the Conference Semifinals onward. One bad result and your player's team is done. Every match matters.

    18-Team Bracket

    The expanded playoff field means more teams, more matchups, and more strategic options. The one-per-team rule forces you to spread across the entire bracket.

    Advancement Matters

    A player on the MLS Cup finalist could play 5 or 6 matches. A Wild Card exit means just 1 game. Picking the right contenders is half the strategy.

    Free to Start

    No ads, no paywalls. Create a league, invite friends, and compete through the MLS Cup Playoffs at no cost.

    Tournament Timeline

    October 21 through December 6, 2026 (tentative)

    • Wild Card Round: Late October 2026
    • Round One: Late October through early November 2026
    • Conference Semifinals: November 2026
    • Conference Finals: Late November 2026
    • MLS Cup Final: Early December 2026

    Dates are placeholders. Exact schedule will be updated once MLS publishes the official 2026 playoff bracket.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When do the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs start?

    The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs are expected to begin in late October with the Wild Card round. The tournament runs through early December, ending with the MLS Cup final around December 6. Exact dates are pending the official 2026 MLS schedule.

    How many teams make the MLS Cup Playoffs?

    Eighteen teams qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs: the top 9 from the Eastern Conference and the top 9 from the Western Conference. The expanded 18-team format was introduced in 2024.

    What is the MLS Cup Playoff format?

    The Wild Card round is a single match (seeds 8 vs 9 in each conference). Round One is a best-of-3 series between seeds 1 through 7 and the Wild Card winners. From the Conference Semifinals onward, every round is single elimination through to the MLS Cup final.

    How does fantasy scoring work for MLS Cup Playoffs?

    Players earn points for goals, assists, clean sheets, saves, and other match actions. The one-player-per-team rule means you cannot stack multiple players from the same MLS club, forcing strategic roster construction across the bracket.

    What happens when my player's team is eliminated?

    Once a team is eliminated, their players stop scoring. Picking players from teams you expect to go deep is key. A player on an MLS Cup finalist could play 5 or 6 matches, while a Wild Card exit means just 1 game.

    Can I pick multiple players from the same MLS team?

    No. The one-player-per-team rule applies. If you draft a player from Inter Miami, you cannot draft any other Inter Miami player. This forces roster diversity across the playoff bracket.

    Is MLS Cup Fantasy free to play?

    Yes. Fantasy Playoffs is free to start. Create a league, invite friends, and compete through the MLS Cup Playoffs at no cost.

    Where can I watch MLS Cup Playoff games?

    MLS Cup Playoff games are broadcast on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass), FOX, FS1, and select games on local broadcast networks in the United States.

    Get notified when MLS Cup Fantasy launches