The 2026 Leagues Cup journey is set for NYCFC when Phase One begins in August | OneFootball

On Thursday, New York City FC revealed what their Leagues Cup journey looks like for the 2026 edition. After confirming the team's participation back in December, the Pigeons know that they will be playing all three games of Phase One in the United States. However, the location is not ideal.

Like last year, the Leagues Cup will involve the first round, Phase One, in which 18 Major League Soccer and 18 Liga MX teams will play three matches against teams from the other league. Then, only the top four teams from each league, or eight of the 36 teams total, will move on to the knockout round, beginning with the quarterfinals. And for NYCFC, the unfortunate news is that all three of the Phase One games will be at Sports Illustrated Stadium, the home of their rivals, the New York Red Bulls.

NYCFC knows who they will play in the Leagues Cup

It is not what fans want to hear, but at the very least, this will be the final year that the Pigeons must be forced out of their home. Or, since the team plays at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, both of their homes. Alas, NYCFC will have to play in New Jersey.

Now, the 2026 Leagues Cup will take place from Tuesday, August 4, through Sunday, September 6. The Boys in Blue will play their Leagues Cup matches over a period of eight days.

The first game will be on Thursday, August 6. NYCFC will open up their Leagues Cup run, in which they will strive to win more games compared to 2025, against Club Santos Laguna, S.A. de C.V., or Santos Laguna. Santos finished the 2024-2025 season in last place in both the Apertura and Clausura, and currently sits in last place in the Clausura for this season. The team has been struggling over the last few seasons, and this is the one match the Pigeons should win.

The second game will be on Sunday, August 9, against Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V., or Cruz Azul. The Liga MX side is in first place right now in the Clausura, and has finished in the top three over the last two seasons in the Clausura and Apertura. The side has been a force as of late, and will be a challenging foe no matter where NYCFC is as a team in August.

Phase One will end for the Boys in Blue on Thursday, August 13, against Impulsora del Deportivo Necaxa S.A. de C.V., or Club Necaxa. The team is in 15th place right now in the Clausura, and has often finished in the middle or toward the bottom of the pack in the table over the last three seasons.

If NYCFC moves on, which will be difficult to do for any team, then the Queens team will face another Liga MX side in the quarterfinals. After, teams in the semifinals and finals can face a team within their own league.

Fans will find out the start times and where they can watch the matches in the future. What will happen in the Leagues Cup is to be determined, but ideally, NYCFC will play better than they did in 2025.