The 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs first round begins Saturday, November 21, with eight best-of-three series across the Eastern and Western Conferences. Here’s the full Round One schedule, including kickoff times, Wild Card matches, and where to watch. All times are Eastern.
2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Game 1 Schedule
Saturday, November 21
- 2:00 PM ET — New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union
- 4:00 PM ET — FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers
- 6:00 PM ET — Inter Miami CF vs. Columbus Crew
Sunday, November 22
- 4:00 PM ET — Nashville SC vs. Orlando City/FC Cincinnati winner
- 6:30 PM ET — Chicago Fire vs. Charlotte FC
- 8:30 PM ET — Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle Sounders/Real Salt Lake winner
Monday, November 23
8:00 PM ET — St. Louis CITY SC vs. Los Angeles FC
Tuesday, November 24
10:00 PM ET — San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo FC
Round One Game 2 Schedule
Friday, November 27
- 8:00 PM ET — Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami CF
- 10:00 PM ET — Seattle/Real Salt Lake winner vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
Saturday, November 28
- 12:30 PM ET — Charlotte FC vs. Chicago Fire
- 2:30 PM ET — Houston Dynamo vs. San Jose Earthquakes
- 4:30 PM ET — Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution
- 6:30 PM ET — Orlando/Cincinnati winner vs. Nashville SC
- 8:30 PM ET — LAFC vs. St. Louis CITY SC
- 10:30 PM ET — Portland Timbers vs. FC Dallas
Wild Card Matches — November 19
- 7:30 PM ET — Orlando City SC vs. FC Cincinnati
- 10:00 PM ET — Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake
The winners face Nashville SC and Vancouver Whitecaps, respectively.
How the First Round Works
Round One uses best-of-three series. The first club to win two games advances. Higher seeds host Games 1 and 3 (if necessary), and lower seeds host Game 2. Tied matches proceed directly to penalties without extra time.
Any necessary third games are scheduled for December 2.
Where to Watch
MLS playoff matches are available through Apple TV. Fans should consult official MLS listings for any additional broadcasts.
Remaining 2026 MLS Playoffs Dates
- Conference Semifinals: December 5–6
- Conference Finals: December 11–12
- MLS Cup Final: December 18
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Round One begin?
Saturday, November 21, 2026, after the November 19 Wild Card games.
When does Inter Miami play?
Inter Miami hosts Columbus Crew on November 21 at 6 PM ET and visits Columbus on November 27 at 8 PM ET.
Is Round One single elimination?
No. It is best-of-three, followed by single-elimination rounds.