The Campeones Cup is an annual soccer competition that brings together representatives from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX for a high-profile championship match between the top leagues in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
First played in 2018, the Campeones Cup was created as part of the growing partnership between MLS and Liga MX.
Unlike the Leagues Cup, which features numerous clubs competing across multiple rounds, the Campeones Cup is designed as a single-match championship.
In simple terms, it can be viewed as an MLS vs Liga MX Super Cup, with a trophy awarded to the winner.
In 2026, the competition features Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul on Wednesday, September 16, in Miami, Florida.
Here is everything you need to know about the Campeones Cup, including how it works, who qualifies and how it differs from the Leagues Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup.
What Is the Campeones Cup?
The Campeones Cup is an annual soccer match between representatives of MLS and Liga MX.
The competition was introduced in 2018 as another way to strengthen the sporting rivalry between clubs from the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Rather than playing a traditional tournament with group stages and knockout rounds, Campeones Cup is decided in one match.
The winning club lifts the Campeones Cup trophy.
That makes the competition similar in concept to the Super Cup competitions held in several countries around the world.
How Does the Campeones Cup Work?
The Campeones Cup is relatively straightforward.
An MLS champion faces the Liga MX representative in a single championship match.
There are no group stages, lengthy knockout rounds or two-legged series.
The two clubs meet for one game, and the winner becomes the Campeones Cup champion.
This format separates the Campeones Cup from other major North American club competitions that involve considerably more teams.
Who Qualifies for the Campeones Cup?
Qualification is based on success in MLS and Liga MX.
On the MLS side, the league’s champion earns the opportunity to represent Major League Soccer.
The Liga MX representative is determined through the Mexican league’s championship structure and Campeón de Campeones pathway.
As a result, the Campeones Cup is designed to showcase championship-caliber clubs from the two leagues against each other.
When Did the Campeones Cup Start?
The first Campeones Cup was played in 2018.
The competition was introduced through the partnership between MLS and Liga MX as the leagues looked to create more meaningful matches between American, Canadian and Mexican clubs.
Since then, Campeones Cup has become part of a broader collection of competitions showcasing the growing rivalry between MLS and Liga MX.
Is the Campeones Cup the Same as Leagues Cup?
No. The Campeones Cup and Leagues Cup are different competitions.
The biggest difference is the format.
The Campeones Cup is essentially a one-game championship, while the Leagues Cup is a much larger tournament featuring clubs from MLS and Liga MX.
Leagues Cup includes multiple rounds and gives participating teams a pathway toward a tournament championship.
Campeones Cup instead focuses on a single showcase matchup.
An easy way to remember the difference is:
Campeones Cup: One championship match between MLS and Liga MX representatives.
Leagues Cup: A multi-team tournament involving MLS and Liga MX clubs.
Is the Campeones Cup the Same as Concacaf Champions Cup?
No. The Campeones Cup is not the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The Concacaf Champions Cup is the region’s major continental club competition and includes qualifying teams from across North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
The winner of the Concacaf Champions Cup is crowned the club champion of the Concacaf region and can earn qualification for major international FIFA competitions.
Campeones Cup has a much narrower focus.
It is specifically built around a matchup involving MLS and Liga MX.
Therefore:
Campeones Cup: MLS vs Liga MX showcase championship.
Concacaf Champions Cup: Continental competition involving qualifying clubs from across Concacaf.
Why Is It Called the Campeones Cup?
The name reflects the competition’s championship concept.
“Campeones” is Spanish for “champions.”
The name therefore effectively translates to “Champions Cup,” highlighting the idea of bringing successful MLS and Liga MX clubs together to determine a winner.
The bilingual name also reflects the competition’s connection between soccer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
What Does the Campeones Cup Winner Get?
The winner is officially crowned Campeones Cup champion and receives the competition’s trophy.
Beyond the trophy itself, the match provides an opportunity for MLS and Liga MX clubs to earn international bragging rights against one of their neighboring league’s top teams.
The competition also gives fans another direct measuring point in the long-running debate over the relative strength of MLS and Liga MX.
Who Is Playing in the Campeones Cup 2026?
The 2026 Campeones Cup features Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul.
Inter Miami represents MLS, while Cruz Azul represents Liga MX.
The matchup is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
Match: Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul
Competition: Campeones Cup 2026
Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
Location: Miami, Florida
Stadium: Nu Stadium
Watch: Apple TV
The matchup gives Inter Miami an opportunity to claim another trophy at home while Cruz Azul attempts to bring the Campeones Cup title back to Liga MX.
Is Lionel Messi Playing in the Campeones Cup?
Lionel Messi’s presence makes any Inter Miami match a major attraction, and his potential participation against Cruz Azul will be one of the biggest storylines surrounding the 2026 Campeones Cup.
Supporters should check Inter Miami’s official matchday roster and injury updates closer to kickoff for confirmation of Messi’s availability and starting status.
Why Is the Campeones Cup Important?
The Campeones Cup provides another direct matchup between MLS and Liga MX, the two biggest professional soccer leagues in North America.
Matches between clubs from the two leagues have become increasingly significant as soccer continues to grow across the region.
The competition also carries additional interest as the United States, Canada and Mexico continue their close soccer relationship following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For the clubs themselves, the format provides an opportunity to add an international trophy without navigating an entire tournament.
Campeones Cup vs Leagues Cup vs Concacaf Champions Cup
The three competitions can sometimes be confusing because each can feature MLS and Liga MX clubs.
The easiest way to separate them is by their purpose and format.
Campeones Cup: A single championship match featuring MLS and Liga MX representatives.
Leagues Cup: A larger tournament involving clubs from MLS and Liga MX.
Concacaf Champions Cup: The primary continental club championship featuring qualifying teams from across the Concacaf region.
While all three can produce high-profile MLS vs Liga MX matchups, they are separate competitions with different qualification systems and formats.
What Is the Campeones Cup? Quick Summary
The Campeones Cup is an annual championship match between representatives from Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
Introduced in 2018, the competition provides a direct showdown between two of North America’s biggest soccer leagues.
Unlike the multi-team Leagues Cup or the continental Concacaf Champions Cup, Campeones Cup is centered around a single championship game.
In 2026, that matchup will be Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul on Wednesday, September 16, at 8:00 PM ET in Miami.
For soccer fans trying to understand the simplest definition, think of the Campeones Cup as an MLS vs Liga MX Super Cup — one match, one trophy and one champion.