MLS Cup 2025
.jpg) Chase Stadium, the host venue | |||||||
| Event | MLS Cup | ||||||
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| Date | December 6, 2025 | ||||||
| Venue | Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | ||||||
| MLS Cup MVP | Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF)[1] | ||||||
| Referee | Drew Fischer[2] | ||||||
| Attendance | 21,556 | ||||||
| Weather | Sunny 84 °F (29 °C) 60% humidity | ||||||
MLS Cup 2025 was the 30th edition of the MLS Cup, the championship match of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight soccer league in the United States and Canada. The match was played on December 6, 2025, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, and determined the champions of the 2025 season. It was hosted by Eastern Conference champions Inter Miami CF and played against Western Conference champions Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The match also marked the conclusion of the MLS Cup playoffs, which was contested by the top nine teams in each conference based on their regular season records.
Inter Miami CF won 3–1 with two assists by Lionel Messi, who was named the match's most valuable player, and clinched their first MLS Cup title.[3]
Road to the final
[edit]The MLS Cup is the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight club soccer league in the United States and Canada. The 2025 season was the 30th in MLS history, and was contested by 30 teams organized into the eastern and western conferences. Each team played 34 matches during the regular season, which runs from February to October, twice against each intra-conference opponent and six times for inter-conference opposition in an unbalanced schedule. The regular season included a month-long break for the FIFA Club World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup, which were hosted by the United States.[4][5] The nine clubs in each conference with the most points qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs, which was played over five rounds from October to December. Most rounds were a single-elimination match hosted by the higher-seeded team; the exception was Round One, which was a best-of-three series with the first and third (if necessary) match hosted by the higher-seeded team.[6]
Both of the finalists, Inter Miami CF and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, appeared in their first MLS Cup final and joined MLS as expansion teams.[7] They played each other earlier that year in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Vancouver won the first leg 2–0 at home and 3–1 in the second leg for an aggregate score of 5–1.[8] The Whitecaps were also the first Canadian team since MLS Cup 2019 to reach the league's championship.[9]
Two of Miami's veteran European players, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, had announced their intent to retire from professional soccer at the end of the season.[10]
Summary of results
[edit]- Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).
| Inter Miami CF | Round | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3rd place in Eastern Conference
Source: MLS
Qualified for playoffs |
Regular season | 2nd place in Western Conference
Source: MLS
Qualified for playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opponent (Games) | 1st leg | 2nd leg | 3rd leg | MLS Cup playoffs | Opponent (Games) | 1st leg | 2nd leg | 3rd leg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nashville SC (2–1) | 3–1 (H) | 1–2 (A) | 4–0 (H) | Round one | FC Dallas (2–0) | 3–0 (H) | 1–1 (4–2 p.) (A) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opponent | Score | Opponent | Score | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FC Cincinnati | 4–0 (A) | Conference semifinals | Los Angeles FC | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p.) (H) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York City FC | 5–1 (H) | Conference finals | San Diego FC | 3–1 (A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Venue
[edit]MLS Cup 2025 was hosted by Inter Miami CF at their home venue, Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The team won the right to host the match by virtue of their higher finish in the regular season standings; Miami had 65 points, while Vancouver earned 63 points.[11] Chase Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium that has a capacity of 21,550 spectators and was constructed as a temporary stadium for Inter Miami CF until the completion of Miami Freedom Park near Miami International Airport in 2026.[12] The stadium had been expanded with temporary bleachers immediately following the signing of Lionel Messi by the club in 2023.[13] MLS Cup 2025 was the final match for Inter Miami CF at Chase Stadium, as the team will move to Miami Freedom Park at the beginning of the 2026 season.[14]
Inter Miami CF announced a two-day presale of tickets for the match for season ticket holders beginning on December 1, which is set to be followed by a release of tickets to the general public on December 2.[15] The lowest prices on the resale market had been $831 prior to the conference finals, but later ranged from $359 to $2,211 at the end of the public sale; by December 5, the lowest ticket price was $179.[16][17] Ticket retailer TickPick estimated that the average cost of a ticket on its platform for the 2025 final was $464, the second-highest figure for an MLS Cup after the 2022 final in Los Angeles.[18]
The Whitecaps hosted a watch party at their home stadium, BC Place, for the MLS Cup final using its large video screens. By December 2, the team had already sold 16,000 tickets for the event.[19]
Broadcasting
[edit]The MLS Cup final was broadcast worldwide in English and Spanish on MLS Season Pass, a subscription streaming service operated by Apple.[20] The MLS Season Pass commentary team was led in English by play-by-play announcer Jake Zivin and analyst Taylor Twellman; the Spanish team was led by Sammy Sadovnik and Diego Valeri. The service was also carrying pre-game and post-game shows from a studio crew.[21] The match was also being broadcast on U.S. terrestrial television by Fox Sports in English and Fox Deportes in Spanish. The Canadian television broadcast was carried by TSN in English and Réseau des sports (RDS) in French.[7] In Mexico, the match was broadcast on TNT Sports. MLS Productions is using more than 30 cameras to broadcast MLS Cup 2025, including a referee cam and footage from four iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphones for fan reactions.[21][22] The match was also displayed on a digital billboard in Times Square, New York City.[22]
Match
[edit]Details
[edit]
          Inter Miami CF
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    Vancouver Whitecaps FC
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MLS Cup MVP: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF)[1] | |
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Assistant referees:[2]
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Match rules[23]
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Post-match
[edit]Inter Miami CF became the sixteenth MLS team to win the league championship and the fifth new winner in the past five editions. Lionel Messi was named the MLS Cup most valuable player for his two assists during the match and won his 47th overall trophy.[24] He also set a record for the most combined goals and assists in MLS Cup playoff history, with 15 total goal contributions (6 goals and 9 assists). Miami co-owner David Beckham became the first person to win the MLS Cup as both a player—winning twice with the LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012—and owner.[25] Tadeo Allende's goal in stoppage time was his ninth during the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs and set a new league record.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Inter Miami's Lionel Messi named MLS Cup 2025 MVP pres. by Audi". MLSsoccer.com. December 7, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "2025 MLS Cup crew confirmed". PROreferees.com. Professional Referee Organization. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ a b Kaufman, Michelle (December 8, 2025). "De Paul, Allende goals vault Inter Miami to 3-1 MLS Cup Final win over Vancouver". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ "MLS regular season to run Feb. 22 to Oct. 18 in 2025 with 30 teams". TSN. The Canadian Press. December 19, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Leahy, Sean (December 19, 2024). "MLS 2025 schedule release: Notable games, dates for the upcoming season". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Reineking, Jim (October 22, 2025). "MLS Cup Playoffs format, bracket: What to know for penalty kicks, extra time". USA Today. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ a b "MLS Cup 2025 is set! Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps". MLSsoccer.com. November 29, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Bogert, Tom (November 29, 2025). "MLS Cup 2025: Your guide to Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps". The Athletic. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Reineking, Jim (November 29, 2025). "Vancouver Whitecaps reach first MLS Cup, to face Messi and Inter Miami". USA Today. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
- ^ "MLS Cup 2025: Your guide to Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps". MLSsoccer.com. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ Becherano, Lizzy (November 29, 2025). "Inter Miami reaches first MLS Cup, will host Vancouver". ESPN. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Kaufman, Michelle (September 4, 2024). "'We're Coming Home:' Inter Miami kicks off countdown to opening of Miami Freedom Park". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Kaufman, Michelle (July 15, 2023). "Inter Miami beefs up security, adds seats, VIP areas as Lionel Messi joins team". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ "Inter Miami to host MLS Cup final after routing NYCFC behind Allende hat trick". The Athletic. November 29, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
- ^ "All You Need to Know: We're Going to the MLS Cup presented by Audi!" (Press release). Inter Miami CF. November 29, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
- ^ Kaufman, Michelle (December 3, 2025). "Tickets scarce, costly for Messi, Inter Miami vs. Vancouver in MLS Cup Final". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ Joyce, Ethan (December 5, 2025). "MLS Cup sees steady drop in get-in ticket price, international interest surge". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ Anzidei, Melanie (December 6, 2025). "MLS Cup 2025: Ticket prices among most expensive ever for final with Messi". The Athletic. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ Johnston, Patrick (December 3, 2025). "MLS Cup: Whitecaps' watch party could dwarf actual in-stadium Miami crowd". The Province. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "MLS Announces Game Times for the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Finals" (Press release). Major League Soccer. November 24, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ a b "Major League Soccer unveils expansive broadcast plans for MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi" (Press release). Major League Soccer. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ a b Silverman, Alex (December 3, 2025). "MLS incorporating 'Shot on iPhone' footage into live championship telecast". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "Competition Guidelines". Major League Soccer. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ Reynolds, Tim (December 6, 2025). "Messi and Inter Miami have completed their journey. They win the MLS Cup, topping Vancouver 3-1". Associated Press. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ Bogert, Tom; Ornstein, David (December 7, 2025). "David Beckham relishes becoming first MLS Cup winner as both player and owner". The Athletic. Retrieved December 9, 2025.