- The Campeones Cup is an annual single-match super cup featuring the reigning MLS Cup champion against Liga MX's Campeón de Campeones winner.
- Established in 2018, the inaugural match was won by Mexican club Tigres UANL, who defeated Toronto FC 3–1 at BMO Field.
- Through six played editions from 2018 to 2024, MLS and Liga MX clubs are deadlocked with three titles each.
- Unlike the month-long Leagues Cup involving all 47 North American top-flight teams, the Campeones Cup is an exclusive single-match final hosted by the MLS representative.
The Campeones Cup is an annual North American association football super cup match contested between the champion of Major League Soccer (MLS Cup) and the winner of Liga MX’s Campeón de Campeones. Inaugurated in 2018 as part of an official strategic partnership between North America’s two top professional soccer leagues, the single-game tournament highlights the intense regional rivalry between American, Canadian, and Mexican clubs. The fixture is traditionally hosted by the defending MLS champion, providing a high-stakes, single-match showdown on home turf.
What is the history and origin of the Campeones Cup?
The creation of the Campeones Cup was announced in March 2018 by MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Liga MX President Enrique Bonilla. The joint initiative aimed to foster cross-border rivalry, increase commercial opportunities, and raise the profile of soccer across North America ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The inaugural match took place on September 19, 2018, at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. Mexican powerhouses Tigres UANL made history by defeating Toronto FC 3–1 to claim the inaugural trophy. The following year, Atlanta United FC became the first MLS side to lift the cup, securing a thrilling 3–2 victory over Club América in front of 40,128 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in August 2019.
Although the 2020 edition was canceled due to scheduling disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition resumed in September 2021. The Columbus Crew earned MLS its second title by defeating Cruz Azul 2–0 at Lower.com Field. New York City FC kept the trophy in Major League Soccer the following year, shutting out Atlas FC 2–0 at Red Bull Arena in September 2022.
In 2023, Tigres UANL became the first club to win the title twice by overcoming Los Angeles FC in a penalty shootout following a 0–0 draw at BMO Stadium. Liga MX kept the momentum in 2024 when Club América defeated the Columbus Crew on penalties after a 1–1 regulation draw, bringing the head-to-head title count between the leagues to an even 3–3 tie.
How do teams qualify for the Campeones Cup?
Qualification for the event is reserved strictly for elite champions, ensuring that only top-tier winners represent each domestic league system during the annual match.
- MLS Representative: The team that wins the preceding season’s MLS Cup final automatically earns the spot to host and compete in the super cup.
- Liga MX Representative: The spot is awarded to the winner of the Campeón de Campeones, an annual match played between the champions of the Apertura and Clausura split-season tournaments. If a single club wins both the Apertura and Clausura titles in a single Mexican season (a bicampeón), that team automatically claims the Campeón de Campeones title and advances directly to the fixture.
Because the contest is designed as a decisive single-match knockout, any tie at the end of 90 minutes skips extra time and proceeds directly to a penalty shootout to determine the champion.
Campeones Cup Winners and Match Results
Since its inception, the rivalry between Major League Soccer and Liga MX in this competition has been balanced. The table below details every match result, winner, and host venue in tournament history:
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Score | Host Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Tigres UANL (Liga MX) | Toronto FC (MLS) | 3–1 | BMO Field (Toronto, Canada) |
| 2019 | Atlanta United FC (MLS) | Club América (Liga MX) | 3–2 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, USA) |
| 2020 | Canceled (COVID-19) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 | Columbus Crew (MLS) | Cruz Azul (Liga MX) | 2–0 | Lower.com Field (Columbus, USA) |
| 2022 | New York City FC (MLS) | Atlas FC (Liga MX) | 2–0 | Red Bull Arena (Harrison, USA) |
| 2023 | Tigres UANL (Liga MX) | Los Angeles FC (MLS) | 0–0 (4–2 pen) | BMO Stadium (Los Angeles, USA) |
| 2024 | Club América (Liga MX) | Columbus Crew (MLS) | 1–1 (5–4 pen) | Lower.com Field (Columbus, USA) |
What is the difference between the Campeones Cup and Leagues Cup?
Soccer fans frequently confuse these two regional events because both represent strategic collaborations between MLS and Liga MX. However, their scope and tournament formats are fundamentally distinct.
The primary distinction is scale. The Campeones Cup is a single super cup match involving exactly two teams—the defending champion of each league. In contrast, the expanded Leagues Cup is an official month-long, World Cup-style group and knockout tournament featuring all 47 first-division clubs across Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
Furthermore, qualification criteria differ substantially. Entry into the single-match cup requires winning a domestic league championship, making it an exclusive privilege. Conversely, all MLS and Liga MX teams automatically qualify for the Leagues Cup regardless of their standing in the domestic league table.
Finally, international qualification stakes set them apart. The top three teams in the Leagues Cup receive direct entry into the CONCACAF Champions Cup, whereas the single super cup match is a standalone promotional trophy match that does not offer continental competition berths.
Why is the Campeones Cup important for North American soccer?
Historically, Mexican clubs dominated regional CONCACAF competitions for decades. The introduction of this inter-league match created a dedicated, high-profile venue for MLS champions to test themselves against Liga MX’s top side on home turf.
Beyond on-field competition, the super cup drives significant commercial growth. It delivers high television viewership across North America and offers unique broadcast rights and sponsorship opportunities. As interest in soccer accelerates across the United States, Mexico, and Canada ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this annual showcase reinforces North America as an expanding power in world football.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the most recent Campeones Cup?
Club América won the 2024 Campeones Cup by defeating the Columbus Crew in a penalty shootout (5–4) following a 1–1 draw at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. This victory marked Club América's first Campeones Cup title and brought Liga MX to three total tournament victories.
Where is the Campeones Cup played?
The Campeones Cup is hosted at the home stadium of the participating Major League Soccer (MLS) team. Hosting the match provides the MLS representative with home-field advantage against the Liga MX champion, boosting local fan engagement and stadium attendance for the single-game final.
Does the winner of the Campeones Cup qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup?
No, winning the Campeones Cup does not grant qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The match functions strictly as an independent super cup title between MLS and Liga MX champions. Qualification for regional CONCACAF tournaments is determined through domestic league performance, domestic cup competitions, or the Leagues Cup.
How is a tie broken in the Campeones Cup if the game ends in a draw?
If a Campeones Cup match is tied at the end of 90 minutes of standard regulation time, extra time is skipped entirely. The outcome is determined immediately by a standard five-round penalty shootout to decide the winner of the trophy.
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