MLS Playoffs

Western Conference

Eastern Conference

Updated February 24, 2026

Recent Changes

SEA logo Seattle Sounders FC entered bracket (seed 4)
SJ logo San Jose Earthquakes entered bracket (seed 2)
NSH logo Nashville SC entered bracket (seed 1)
RBNY logo New York Red Bulls entered bracket (seed 3)
CLB logo Columbus Crew SC entered bracket (seed 7)
LA logo LA Galaxy left bracket
ATL logo Atlanta United FC left bracket
STL logo St. Louis City SC left bracket
MIN logo Minnesota United FC left bracket
CHI logo Chicago Fire FC left bracket
ATX logo Austin FC left bracket
MIA logo Inter Miami CF left bracket
COL logo Colorado Rapids left bracket
VAN logo Vancouver Whitecaps FC (seed 7 → 8)
DC logo D.C. United (seed 1 → 4)
DAL logo FC Dallas (seed 4 → 5)
HOU logo Houston Dynamo (seed 6 → 7)
NYC logo New York City FC (seed 6 → 5)
LAFC logo Los Angeles FC (seed 6 → 2)
CLT logo Charlotte FC (seed 6 → 5)
POR logo Portland Timbers (seed 4 → 5)
CIN logo FC Cincinnati (seed 1 → 2)

MLS Playoff Format and Rules

The top 7 teams in both the Western and Eastern conference will reach the MLS playoffs. Each team is ranked based on their total points during the regular season.

Tiebreakers

  1. Most wins
  2. Goal differential
  3. Goal scored
  4. Fewer disciplinary points
  5. Away goal differential
  6. Away goals scored
  7. Home goal differential
  8. Home goals scored
  9. Coin toss (2 clubs) or drawing of lots (3 clubs)