Major League Soccer’s 2025 season has reached its most electrifying phase, as the quest for the MLS Cup is officially underway. After a grueling regular season that stretched from February 22 to October 18, 30 teams—split evenly between the Eastern and Western Conferences—have been whittled down to 18 playoff hopefuls. The stakes? Nothing less than glory, history, and the chance to lift American soccer’s most coveted trophy before the world’s eyes turn to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This year’s playoffs come on the heels of unprecedented growth for the league. Over 11 million fans have packed stadiums across the United States and Canada, a testament to the ever-growing passion for the beautiful game on this side of the Atlantic. Charlotte FC and Seattle Sounders FC, boasting average crowds of more than 35,000 and 30,000 respectively, will see their home venues rocking as they chase postseason dreams. With ticket demand soaring, fans are scrambling to secure seats—some starting as low as $22, but with playoff fever in the air, prices for marquee matchups often climb much higher.
“It’s not just about the soccer; it’s about the experience,” said one Charlotte supporter outside Bank of America Stadium, capturing the spirit that’s swept the nation. “This league has become a part of our lives.”
The playoff action kicked off on October 22, with Wild Card games featuring Chicago Fire versus Orlando City at SeatGeek Stadium and Portland Timbers against Real Salt Lake at Providence Park. The following days have seen—and will continue to see—a flurry of high-stakes clashes. On October 24, Inter Miami, led by the irrepressible Lionel Messi, locked horns with Nashville SC at Chase Stadium, while Philadelphia Union, the Eastern Conference’s top seed, prepared to host the winner of the Chicago/Orlando Wild Card on October 26 at Subaru Park.
San Diego FC, the league’s newest expansion team, has made headlines by storming to the top of the Western Conference in its debut campaign. With 63 points and a ticket to the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup already secured, San Diego FC’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Danish midfielder Anders Dreyer has been instrumental in their ascent, but the story of the season has undeniably been Lionel Messi’s continued dominance. The Argentinian legend bagged 29 goals for Inter Miami, topping the league’s scoring charts and drawing massive crowds wherever he played.
“Messi has changed the landscape of MLS,” noted a Miami fan. “Every time he touches the ball, you feel like something magical could happen.” And with Inter Miami among the favorites in the postseason, the world will be watching to see if Messi can add an MLS Cup to his legendary résumé.
The playoff format remains as intense as ever: 18 teams—nine from each conference—enter a knockout gauntlet that will ultimately leave just two standing for the grand finale. The Conference Semifinals are set for November 22-23, the Conference Finals for November 29-30, and the MLS Cup Final is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, at 2:30 p.m. ET. The road to the final is packed with storylines—will a perennial powerhouse reclaim the crown, or will a new champion be crowned?
Last year’s champions, LA Galaxy, captured their sixth title with a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls in front of nearly 27,000 fans in Carson, California. However, the Galaxy’s campaign ended in disappointment this season, as they failed to qualify for the playoffs. That leaves the door wide open for other recent champions—Columbus Crew (2023 & 2020), Los Angeles FC (2022), New York City FC (2021), and Seattle Sounders (2019)—all of whom remain in contention and are hungry for more silverware.
Philadelphia Union and San Diego FC have emerged as the top seeds and favorites in their respective conferences. The Union finished the regular season atop the Eastern Conference with 66 points (20 wins, 6 draws, 8 losses), closely followed by FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami, both on 65 points. Charlotte FC, NYCFC, Nashville SC, Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire, and Orlando City round out the East’s playoff contingent. In the West, San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps both finished with 63 points, with LAFC (60), Minnesota United (58), and Seattle Sounders (55) not far behind. Austin FC, FC Dallas, Portland Timbers, and Real Salt Lake complete the Western playoff picture.
The playoff schedule is packed, with games nearly every night through early November. If necessary, decisive Game 3s will be played from November 6 to 8. After that, only the best will remain. For those unable to witness the drama in person, Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass streams every match live worldwide, while Fox Sports simulcasts select games for U.S. audiences. Streaming service Fubo also offers Fox Sports and a host of other sports channels, giving fans plenty of ways to follow the action from home or on the go.
Ticket access is as hotly contested as the matches themselves. The most reliable way to secure seats is through official club sites or the league’s ticket portal, but with many games selling out quickly, secondary platforms like StubHub, Viagogo, and Vivid Seats have become essential resources. Wild Card tickets are going for about $35, while First Round matchups start at $75 and climb from there, depending on demand and seat location.
As the league celebrates its 30th season—and the arrival of its 30th club, San Diego FC—the sense of occasion is palpable. The 2025 MLS Cup will not only crown a champion but also serve as a showcase for North American soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The players, coaches, and fans all know what’s at stake: pride, history, and the chance to etch their names into MLS lore.
With the playoffs now in full swing and the MLS Cup Final looming on December 6, anticipation and excitement are reaching fever pitch. Will a new champion rise, or will a familiar name reclaim the throne? For now, the only certainty is that the road to glory is wide open—and every match, every goal, and every cheer counts.
