CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 Preview

Last Updated on February 2, 2026 11:21 am by Erwin Noguera

The 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup kicks off this Tuesday, February 3, once again bringing together the top clubs from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean in the region’s most prestigious competition.

With a place in the Club World Cup as the ultimate reward and increasing parity among leagues, the tournament promises excitement from the opening round through the grand final in May, marking the 61stedition of the championship.

The competition will officially begin with the First Round and will run through Saturday, May 30, when the new continental champion will be crowned.

As has become customary, the tournament will follow a single-elimination format, with home-and-away matches in every round, except for the final, which will be played as a single match at a neutral venue.

The most recent champion of the tournament was Cruz Azul, who thrashed the Vancouver Whitecaps 5–0 in the final. The last three champions have been Mexican, and 19 of the last 20 as well, with the Seattle Sounders winning the title in 2022 and ending a streak of 16 consecutive Mexican championships. Mexico leads the all-time table with 40 titles, followed by Costa Rica with six, while Cruz Azul and Club América each have seven.

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CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 Competition Format

For this year, the CONCACAF Champions Cup maintains a system designed to reward consistency and strong performances across domestic and regional competitions.

The First Round, scheduled from February 3 to February 26, will feature teams that qualified through their local leagues and regional tournaments. From this stage, the clubs advancing to the Round of 16 will be determined.

The Round of 16 will take place from March 10 to March 19, a phase that includes the highest-ranked teams according to the CONCACAF rankings, as well as champions of regional competitions.

The Quarterfinals will be played from April 7 to April 16, followed by the Semifinals, scheduled between April 28 and May 7.

Meanwhile, the Final will be a single-match showdown held on Saturday, May 30, with not only the continental title on the line, but also prestige and the opportunity to establish dominance as a regional powerhouse.

CONCACAF Champions Cup Top Contenders

Mexican clubs once again enter the tournament as the undisputed protagonists. Club América, Tigres, Monterrey, Pachuca, and Chivas arrive with competitive squads and international experience, backed by the intensity and depth of Liga MX.

Monterrey continues to profile as a tournament-built team. Their squad depth, physical presence, and balance between attack and defense translate well to CONCACAF competition. Monterrey often excels in matches that require patienceand control rather than constant pressing, which becomes decisive in away legs and second matches of a tie.

Their recent continental campaigns have shown improved consistency, and their ability to score away from home significantly raises their ceiling. Monterrey’s experience in late-stage continental matches positions them as a realistic title contender rather than a dark horse.

On the other hand, Tigres UANL remain one of the most reliable knockout teams in the region. Their tournament experience, leadership core, and tactical discipline allow them to navigate difficult draws without losing structure. Tigres rarely panic in adverse situations, an attribute that becomes critical in two-legged series decided by small margins.

From MLS, continued growth is evident. Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi as its centerpiece, once again commands the spotlight, joined by strong sides such as Columbus Crew, LAFC, and Philadelphia Union, all of which have proven capable of competing on equal footing with Mexican clubs in recent editions.

Central America is also well represented by historically strong teams, such as Alajuelense, Saprissa, Olimpia, and Comunicaciones, which are known for their home-field advantage and pose a significant challenge in the early rounds. Costa Rican and Honduran clubs, in particular, maintain a reputation for being competitive and tactically disciplined.

Meanwhile, Caribbean clubs will look to pull off surprises. While they enter the competition as underdogs, each edition features standout performances that highlight the region’scontinued growth in soccer.

Additionally, it is important to note that the 2026 edition of the CONCACAF Champions Cup will feature five debuting teams: San Diego FC (United States), Vancouver FC (Canada), Atlético Ottawa (Canada), O&M FC (Dominican Republic), and Mount Pleasant FA (Jamaica).

A Tournament That Continues to Grow in Importance

The CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 not only crowns the region’s best team but also continues to establish itself as an international showcase. The proximity of the Club World Cup and the steady influx of star players into MLS have raised the tournament’s competitive level and global appeal.

With a clear calendar, reinforced squads, and an increasingly intense rivalry between Liga MX and MLS, the start of the 2026 Champions Cup promises to be electric. Beginning in February, the region will once again experience dramatic nights, packed stadiums, and matchups that could define a new era in CONCACAF football.