NEW YORK (Aug. 28, 2019) – For the first time in league history, MLS Cup will air domestically in the U.S. on both the ABC Television Network and Univision Network, and in Canada on TSN and TVA Sports. The combination of the four networks represents the broadest domestic distribution ever for the championship match.
MLS Cup on Nov. 10 (2 p.m. CT) will be the culmination of an exciting new playoff format that features single-game elimination matches played entirely within a three-week span beginning Oct. 19.
After the close of regular season play on Sunday, Oct. 6, MLS Decision Day presented by AT&T, 14 clubs will enter the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Every game matters and every goal counts in the regular season as higher seeds will enjoy homefield advantage throughout the playoffs and the top seeds in each conference earn a bye in Round One.
Again in 2019, every postseason game will be broadcast nationally across the league’s domestic U.S. partners ESPN, FS1 and Univision, and in Canada on TSN and TVA Sports networks.
Following six Round One games on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20, the four Eastern and Western Conference Semifinal games will be played on Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Oct. 24. Two games will be played on each of the match dates, and just four teams, two from each conference, will advance.
The Conference Final drama unfolds on consecutive nights, Tuesday, Oct. 29 and Wednesday, Oct. 30, with each of the Conference Champions advancing to 2019 MLS Cup.
A full calendar of match dates and broadcast details is included below.
Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule
Subject to change. Canadian and international broadcast information to be announced at a later date.
Eastern and Western Conference Round One (6 games)
(Conference 2nd seed vs. 7th seed, 3rd seed vs. 6th seed and 4th seed vs. 5th seed in a single-game elimination match)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: Two games (times TBD; Univision/TUDN)
- Sunday, Oct. 20: Four games (times TBD; Two games on FS1/FOX Deportes, one game on ESPN/ESPN Deportes, one game on ESPN2/ESPN Deportes)
Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals (4 games)
(One-game knockout, winners advance to Conference Final)
- Wednesday, Oct. 23: Two games (times TBD; FS1/FOX Deportes)
- Thursday, Oct. 24: Two games (times TBD; ESPN/ESPN Deportes, ESPN2/ESPN Deportes)
Eastern and Western Conference Finals (2 games)
(One-game knockout, winners advance to MLS Cup)
One game each on ESPN/ESPN Deportes and FS1/FOX Deportes
- Tuesday, Oct. 29: One game (time TBD)
- Wednesday, Oct. 30: One game (time TBD)
2019 MLS Cup
(Hosted at the home venue of the finalist with the best regular season record)
- Sunday, Nov. 10 (2 p.m. CT; ABC, Univision/TUDN, TSN, TVA Sports)
