In October, Major League Soccer enters its most decisive stage of the season. The month begins with the Campeones Cup, an international clash that adds prestige for MLS clubs. Midway through comes Decision Day, the dramatic finale of the regular season where playoff spots, seeding, and the Supporters’ Shield are decided. This is followed by the Wild Card matches, single-elimination games that determine the final playoff entrants. The month then closes with the start of the Round One playoff series, officially launching the battle for MLS Cup. October, therefore, is the turning point where the league shifts from regular competition to high-stakes knockout drama.
MLS Cup Playoffs 2025 Format
The structure for MLS Playoffs 2025 (October–December):
• Participants:
- 18 teams total → top 9 teams per conference (Eastern & Western).
1. Wild Card Round (October 22–23, 2025)
• Teams finishing 8th vs. 9th in each conference play a single-elimination match.
• Winners advance to the First Round.
• Hosted by the 8th-place team.
2. First Round – Best-of-3 Series (Late October – early November)
• Matchups: (1 vs WC winner), (2 vs 7), (3 vs 6), (4 vs 5) in each conference.
• Best-of-three format (first team to 2 wins advances).
• No draws → if tied after 90 minutes, straight to penalties.
• Higher seed hosts Game 1 & Game 3 (if needed).
3. Conference Semifinals (Mid-November)
• 4 remaining teams per conference.
• Single elimination.
• Higher seed hosts.
4. Conference Finals (Late November)
• Winners of semifinals face off.
• Single elimination.
• Higher seed hosts.
5. MLS Cup Final (December 6, 2025)
• Eastern vs. Western Conference Champions.
• Hosted by the team with the better regular-season record.
Key October 2025 Playoff Dates
• October 18 – Regular Season ends (Decision Day).
• October 22–23 – Wild Card Round.
• October 25 – November 9 (approx.) – First Round (Best-of-3).
Match Details in October
The match details in October 2025 for MLS (USA & Canada), covering both the MLS Playoffs and the standalone Campeones Cup:
Campeones Cup – October 1, 2025
• Match: LA Galaxy vs. Toluca (Liga MX).
• Competition: Campeones Cup — a single-match showdown between the reigning MLS Cup champion (LA Galaxy) and the Campeón de Campeones winner from Liga MX (Toluca).
• Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
• Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
This is a high-profile, one-off match, separate from the MLS playoff bracket.
MLS Playoffs – October 2025 Schedule & Format
Decision Day — Saturday, October 18
• The regular season ends on this day.
• Eastern Conference matches start at 6 p.m. ET, and Western Conference matches at 9 p.m. ET.
• Final standings are locked, deciding playoffs qualification and seeding.
Wild Card Round — Wednesday, October 22
• Match Details:
- 8th seed vs. 9th seed in each conference (Eastern & Western).
- Single knockout match, hosted by the higher seed.
- If tied after regulation, the game goes straight to a penalty shootout — no extra time.
• Winners advance to face the No. 1 seed in Round One.
Round One (Best-of-3 Series) — Friday, October 24 to Sunday, November 9
• Structure:
- Each conference has four matchups:
1 vs. WC winner (8/9)
2 vs. 7
3 vs. 6
4 vs. 5
- Format: Best-of-three, H–A–H (Home, Away, Home).
- Game 1: higher seed hosts
- Game 2: lower seed hosts
- Game 3 (if needed): back to higher seed’s home
No ties allowed. If a game ends tied in regulation, it goes straight to penalties.
Venue Details in October
A detailed look at the venue information for MLS matches taking place in October 2025, covering both the Campeones Cup and the MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card round:
1. Campeones Cup
• Match: LA Galaxy vs. Toluca
• Date & Time: Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT (10:30 p.m. ET).
• Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California
- Capacity: approximately 27,000 seats
- Context: It’s the long-standing home of the LA Galaxy, part of a larger multipurpose sports complex at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
2. MLS Cup Playoffs – Wild Card Round
• Matchups:
- Eastern Conference: 8th seed vs. 9th seed
- Western Conference: 8th seed vs. 9th seed
• Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
• Venues: Each Wild Card game is hosted by the higher-seeded team’s home stadium. While exact matchups (and therefore specific venues) aren’t finalized until after Decision Day (October 18), these are the potential MLS stadiums that could host such fixtures:
Importance of MLS in October
The detailed importance of MLS in October written in clear points instead of a paragraph:
Campeones Cup (October 1)
• Annual showdown between the MLS Cup champion and Liga MX champion.
• Brings international recognition and showcases North American club supremacy.
• Winning the trophy boosts prestige beyond domestic success.
Decision Day (October 18)
• Final day of the regular season with all matches played simultaneously.
• Determines which clubs secure playoff qualification.
• Decides seeding positions that give higher-ranked teams home advantage in the playoffs.
• Can also decide the Supporters’ Shield winner (best overall season record).
Wild Card Matches (October 22)
• Played between the 8th and 9th seeds in both conferences.
• Single-elimination format, goes directly to penalties if tied after 90 minutes.
• High-pressure games where one mistake can end the season.
Round One Playoffs Begin (October 24 onward)
• Best-of-three series for qualified teams.
• Ensures every team hosts at least one playoff game.
• Sets the tone for who could advance toward MLS Cup in December.
Overall Impact of October
• Marks the shift from the regular season to knockout competition.
• Decisive for trophies (Campeones Cup, Supporters’ Shield).
• Determines playoff participants and their paths to the final.
• Builds momentum and drama heading into November and December.
Conclusion
October is the turning point of the MLS season. It brings international competition through the Campeones Cup, finalizes playoff spots and seeding on Decision Day, delivers high-stakes knockout drama in the Wild Card matches, and launches the playoffs with the first round. The month decides who survives, who takes home trophies, and who carries momentum toward the MLS Cup — making October one of the most crucial and exciting periods in the league.
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