With the conclusion of Decision Day, 18 teams have qualified for the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Seeds 1-7 in each conference automatically qualify for the Round One Best-of-3 series. Seeds 8-9 in each conference qualify for the Wild Card Matches.
Wild Card Match Format (October 22)
Wild Card matches will be single-game elimination, hosted by the higher seed. If the score of a Wild Card game is tied at the end of regulation, no extra time will be played. There will immediately be a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner.
Round One Best-of-3 Series (October 24 - November 9)
This series is hosted in a home-away-home format, with a third match being played only if necessary. If any of these matches are tied at the end of regulation, no extra time will be played. The game will go straight to penalty kicks.
The first team to win two matches advances.
Conference Semifinals (November 22 - November 23)
Semifinals will be single-elimination matches, hosted by the higher seed. If the score of a Conference Semifinal game is tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety. If the score is still tied at the end of the two extra time periods, teams will determine the winner via a penalty kick shootout.
Conference Finals (November 29 - November 30)
This match will be played in the same format as Conference Semifinals. If the score of the game is tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety. If the score is still tied at the end of the two extra time periods, teams will participate in kicks from the penalty spot to determine the winner.
The Cup match is a single match hosted by the higher seeded team.