MLS Playoffs

Western Conference

Eastern Conference

Updated September 16, 2026

Recent Changes

PHI logo Philadelphia Union entered bracket (seed 7)
ORL logo Orlando City SC entered bracket (seed 6)
NYC logo New York City FC left bracket
CIN logo FC Cincinnati left bracket
DAL logo FC Dallas (seed 4 → 3)
STL logo St. Louis City SC (seed 4 → 5)
LAFC logo Los Angeles FC (seed 5 → 6)
NE logo New England Revolution (seed 4 → 3)
SJ logo San Jose Earthquakes (seed 6 → 4)
CHI logo Chicago Fire FC (seed 4 → 5)
CLT logo Charlotte FC (seed 5 → 4)

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)