Major League Soccer has announced the schedule and key dates for the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The top nine teams per conference (Eastern and Western) qualify, ending with MLS Cup 2025 presented by on Dec. 6 as hosted by the team with the better regular-season record.
Every postseason match will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and will feature English and Spanish commentary options. Select games, including MLS Cup, will also be available through FOX Sports in the United States and TSN and RDS in Canada.
Key dates
- Decision Day: Saturday, October 18
- Wild Card Matches: Wednesday, October 22
- Round One Best-of-3 Series: Friday, October 24 - Sunday, November 9
- Conference Semifinals: Saturday, November 22 - Sunday, November 23
- Conference Finals: Saturday, November 29 - Sunday, November 30
- MLS Cup: Saturday, December 6
Decision Day 2025
Saturday, October 18
Playoff implications are on the line with all 30 clubs competing on MLS's final regular-season matchday. Eastern Conference matches will start at 3 pm PT / 6 pm ET, while Western Conference games begin at 6pm PT / 9 pm ET.
Wild Card Matches
Wednesday, October 22
The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card matches will feature a single-game elimination match in each conference between the No. 8 and No. 9 seed, hosted by the higher seed.
The winners will advance to the Round One Best-of-3 Series to face their respective conferences’ No. 1 seeds.
Round One Best-of-3 Series
Friday, October 24 - Sunday, November 9
The top seven teams from each conference will automatically qualify for the Round One Best-of-3 Series, followed by the respective winners of the Wild Card matches.
All 16 teams participating in Round One will play at least one home game in the series.
- Game 1: Higher seed hosts
- Game 2: Lower seed hosts
- Game 3 (if needed): Higher seed hosts
Conference Semifinals
Saturday, November 22 - Sunday, November 23
The Conference Semifinals will be played as single-elimination, win-or-go-home matches. Each of the four matches are hosted by the highest-remaining seeds.
Conference Finals
Saturday, November 30 - Sunday, December 1
Determining who reaches MLS Cup, the Conference Finals are hosted by the team with the better regular-season record.
MLS Cup
Saturday, December 7
The playoffs culminate with MLS Cup 2025. Hosting rights are awarded to the finalist with the better regular-season record.
Every Postseason Game on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Fans in over 100 countries around the world can watch every match of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs as well as 2025 MLS Cup on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. All matches will feature commentary in English and Spanish, and fans in the U.S. and Canada will also have the option to select their home team’s radio for broadcast audio on the Apple TV app where available. MLS Season Pass is available through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, Android devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, as well as on DIRECTV, Xfinity, and at tv.apple.com.
Select playoff games, including MLS Cup, will also be available through FOX Sports in the U.S. and TSN and RDS in Canada.
The complete 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs bracket and broadcast details will be announced once finalized.
