By OkayGoal
The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs field is now set following Saturday’s dramatic slate of Decision Day action.
Wild Card action in both the Eastern and Western Conferences will officially get underway on Thursday, November 19. Orlando City will host FC Cincinnati at 7:30 p.m. ET in the Eastern Conference Wild Card matchup while the Seattle Sounders face Real Salt Lake at 10 p.m. ET in the Western Conference Wild Card showdown.
The two winners of these matchups will advance to the Round One Best-of-3 series, with No. 1 seeds Nashville SC and the Vancouver Whitecaps awaiting them.
Nashville SC clinched the best record in MLS overall, winning the Supporters’ Shield and sealing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Vancouver also sealed home-field advantage and will be second in line to host MLS Cup, should they advance to the final.
Among the MLS Cup Playoff Round One series are the New England Revolution taking on the red-hot Philadelphia Union, the Columbus Crew traveling to Inter Miami, LAFC visiting St. Louis CITY SC, and the San Jose Earthquakes entertaining the Houston Dynamo.
Additionally, the 18 MLS clubs that sealed playoff berths will also be heading to the 2027 Leagues Cup while Nashville SC, Vancouver Whitecaps, New England Revolution, and St. Louis CITY SC are guaranteed spots in the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The Wild Card Matches will take place on November 19 before Round One Series get underway on Nov. 21. Should Game 3’s be needed for the Round One Series, they will be announced at a later date.
Conference Semifinals will take place during the weekend of December 5 – December 6 before Conference Finals occur on Dec. 11 and 12. MLS Cup will take place on Friday, December 18 at either 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. ET.
Here is a rundown of the entire MLS Cup Playoffs schedule:
Eastern Conference Round One Best-of-3 Series
- No. 1 Nashville SC vs. No. 8 Orlando City/No. 9 FC Cincinnati
Game 1 in Nashville: Sunday, Nov. 22 – 4 p.m. ET.
Game 2 in Orlando/Cincinnati: Saturday, Nov. 28 – 6:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 if necessary TBD - No. 2 Inter Miami vs. No. 7 Columbus Crew
Game 1 in Miami: Saturday, Nov. 21 – 6 p.m. ET
Game 2 in Columbus: Friday, Nov. 27 – 8 p.m. ET
Game 3 if necessary TBD - No. 3 New England Revolution vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Union
Game 1 in New England: Saturday, Nov. 21 – 2 p.m. ET
Game 2 in Philadelphia: Saturday, Nov. 28 – 4:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 if necessary TBD - No. 4 Chicago Fire vs. No. 5 Charlotte FC
Game 1 in Chicago: Sunday, Nov. 22 – 6:30 p.m. ET
Game 2 in Charlotte: Saturday, Nov. 28 – 12:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 if necessary TBD
Western Conference Round One Best-of-3 Series
- No. 1 Vancouver Whitecaps vs. No. 8 Seattle Sounders/No. 9 Real Salt Lake
Game 1 in Vancouver: Sunday, Nov. 22 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 2 in Seattle/Salt Lake: Friday, Nov. 27 – 10 p.m. ET
Game 3 if necessary TBD - No. 2 FC Dallas vs. No. 7 Portland Timbers
Game 1 in Dallas: Saturday, Nov. 21 – 4 p.m. ET
Game 2 in Portland: Saturday, Nov. 28 – 10:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 if necessary TBD - No. 3 St. Louis CITY SC vs. No. 6 LAFC
Game 1 in St. Louis: Monday, Nov. 23 – 8 p.m. ET
Game 2 in Los Angeles: Saturday, Nov. 28 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 if necessary TBD - No. 4 San Jose Earthquakes vs. No. 5 Houston Dynamo
Game 1 in San Jose: Tuesday, Nov. 24 – 10 p.m. ET
Game 2 in Houston: Saturday, Nov. 28 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 if necessary TBD