MLS announces a new format for the 2023 season

Building on the popular single-elimination format, the 2023 MLS postseason will see the addition of a pair of single-elimination Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card matches prior to an improved first round, which now includes a Best-of-3 series.

After Decision Day on October 21, the match schedule will be as follows:

• Wild Card Games: October 25-26
• Best-of-3 first-round matches: October 28 – November. 12
• Conference Finals and Conference Finals: November 25 – December. 3
• MLS Cup presented by Audi: December 9.

• Seeds 1-7 in each conference will automatically qualify for the Best-of-3 first-round series.
• The 8-9 seeds in each conference will qualify for the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card matches.

• Two single-game elimination matches hosted by the higher seed.
• If the score of the Wild Card Game is tied at the end of regulation, no extra time will be played, and teams will engage in kicks from the penalty spot to determine the winner.
• The winner of each Wild Card game will advance to a Best-of-3 series in the first round to face the top seed in the conference.
  • Eastern Conference Wild Card Game: No. 8 vs. No. 9
  • Western Conference Wild Card Match: No. 8 vs. No. 9

• Each match in the first round will have a winner; No links, no score.
• Matches will be hosted at A home away home appearance:
  • Match 1: Top seed hosts
  • Match 2: Low seed hosts
  • Match 3: Higher seed hosts
• If at the end of the match a tie is drawn, no extra time will be played, and the teams will engage in kicks from the penalty spot to determine the winner.
• The first team to win two matches will qualify.
• Four teams from each conference will advance to the conference semifinals.
  • First round of the Eastern Conference Best-of-3 Series
    • No. 1 vs. No. 8 or 9
    • No. 2 vs. No. 7
    • No. 3 vs. No. 6
    • No. 4 vs. No. 5
  • Western Conference Best-of-3 first-round series
    • No. 1 vs. No. 8 or 9
    • No. 2 vs. No. 7
    • No. 3 vs. No. 6
    • No. 4 vs. No. 5

• Single-game elimination matches, hosted by the higher seed.
• If the conference semifinal game is tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute overtime periods will be played in their entirety. If the score is still tied at the end of the two overtime periods, the teams will engage in kicks from the penalty spot to determine the winner.
• The winners of the Conference Semifinals will advance to the Conference Final.
  • Eastern Conference semi-finals
    • The winner of series No. 1 vs. No. 8/9 vs. the winner of series No. 4 vs. No. 5
    • Winner of Series No. 3 vs. No. 6 vs. Series No. 2 vs. No. 7
  • Western Conference Semifinals
    • The winner of series No. 1 vs. No. 8/9 vs. the winner of series No. 4 vs. No. 5
    • Winner of Series No. 3 vs. No. 6 vs. Series No. 2 vs. No. 7

• Single-elimination match hosted by the higher seed.
• If the conference final game is tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute overtime periods will be played in their entirety. If the score is still tied at the end of the two overtime periods, the teams will engage in kicks from the penalty spot to determine the winner.
• The winner of each conference finals match will advance to the MLS Cup presented by Audi.
  • Eastern Conference Final: Highest Developed Seeds vs. Lowest Developed Seeds
  • Western Conference Final: Highest Developed Seeds vs. Least Developed Seeds

• One match hosted by the higher seed.
• If the game score is tied at the end of regulation, two full 15-minute overtime periods will be played. If the score is still tied at the end of the two overtime periods, the teams will engage in kicks from the penalty spot to determine the winner.
• MLS Cup presented by Audi: Eastern Conference Champion vs. Western Conference Champion

The MLS Season Pass will include every match of the 2023 MLS Audi Cup Playoffs as well as the MLS Cup presented by Audi, all in one place, without a blackout. All matches will feature commentary in either English or Spanish, while matches involving Canadian teams will feature French commentary.

Fans in the US and Canada will also have the option to select their home team’s radio to stream audio on the Apple TV app where available.

Select playoff games, including the MLS Cup, will also be available through FOX Sports in the US and TSN and RDS in Canada. Linear programming schedules and match selections for the 2023 MLS Audi Cup Playoffs will be announced at a later date.