MLS Cup Playoffs 2026 Schedule: Decision Day Nov. 7, MLS Cup on Fri., Dec. 18

Major League Soccer (MLS) lists MLS Cup presented by Audi for Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, with Decision Day on Saturday, Nov. 7, according to the league’s official playoff key dates. MLS announced the schedule on Mar. 16, 2026, and says the dates are subject to change.

This page lays out each round by date with its weekday, explains how the field is set, and says where the games air. A one-page printable of the timeline is below.

What is the MLS Cup playoffs 2026 schedule?

MLS publishes one date or range for each stage. Round One is a best-of-3 series that runs from Fri., Nov. 20 to Wed., Dec. 2.

Stage	Dates
Decision Day	Sat., Nov. 7
Wild Card	Wed., Nov. 18
Round One, Game One	Fri., Nov. 20 to Tue., Nov. 24
Round One, Game Two	Fri., Nov. 27 to Sat., Nov. 28
Round One, Game Three (if necessary)	Tue., Dec. 1 to Wed., Dec. 2
Conference Semifinals	Sat., Dec. 5 to Sun., Dec. 6
Conference Finals	Fri., Dec. 11 to Sat., Dec. 12
MLS Cup presented by Audi	Fri., Dec. 18

Source: Major League Soccer, 2026. MLS lists dates, not kickoff times, in these pages, so this story does not give times. Mark them on the November 2026 printable calendar and the December 2026 printable calendar.

When is MLS Decision Day 2026?

Decision Day is Sat., Nov. 7, 2026, per MLS. After it, MLS says it will observe the November Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) international window, and the Wild Card does not start until Wed., Nov. 18.

How does the MLS playoffs 2026 format work?

MLS says 18 teams qualify, the top nine in the East and the top nine in the West. Seeds 1 to 7 in each conference go to Round One. Seeds 8 and 9 play single-game Wild Card matches, hosted by the higher seed.

Round One is a best-of-3 series. Game Three is played only if it is needed, which is why MLS gives it a separate date range of Tue., Dec. 1 to Wed., Dec. 2. The conference semifinals and conference finals follow, and MLS Cup closes the season.

Where can I watch the MLS playoffs?

MLS says every playoff match is broadcast live on Apple TV. Select games, including MLS Cup, also air on FOX Sports in the U.S. and on The Sports Network (TSN) and Réseau des sports (RDS) in Canada. MLS does not list in the pages used here which games besides MLS Cup are on those networks.

Is there a printable MLS playoffs schedule?

Yes. The one-page timeline lists all eight stages with their weekdays, from Decision Day to MLS Cup, and carries the note that dates are subject to change. If you are also tracking other events in the same weeks, see the National Basketball Association (NBA) Cup 2026 schedule, the World Series 2026 schedule and the Ballon d’Or 2026 date and time.