Champions Cup Round of 16: Things to Know

MIAMI – The Round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup , the 61st edition of the region’s premier club championship, kicks off on March 10 as the quest to crown a new winner continues.

Here are five things to you need to know ahead of the Round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup:

What

The Round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, which began in February and will take be played through May. The tournament will crown the Confederation’s club champion.

Additionally, the winner of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup will qualify for the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup 2029.

Who

In the Round of 16, the field has been narrowed down to 16 of the region’s top clubs.

The field includes defending champions Cruz Azul , fellow Mexican powerhouse Club América , Liga MX champions Toluca , MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF , Leagues Cup winners Seattle Sounders FC , and Concacaf Central American winners LD Alajuelense .

Concacaf Caribbean Cup champion Mount Pleasant FA of Jamaica is set for its debut in the competition in the Round of 16.

The complete schedule featuring all Round of 16 matchups is available HERE .

Dates

The Round of 16 series will be played throughout the course of March in a home and away format. The aggregate score winner in each matchup will advance to the Quarterfinals.

The Quarterfinals will be played in April, followed by the Semifinals across April and May, and the Final on Saturday, May 30.

2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Remaining Windows Round of 16 First Legs: March 10–12 Round of 16 Second Legs: March 17–19 Quarterfinals First Legs: April 7–9 Quarterfinals Second Legs: April 14–16 Semifinals First Legs: April 28–30 Semifinals Second Legs: May 5–7 Final: Saturday, May 30

Format

The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup continues to be played in a direct elimination knockout stage format and is composed of five rounds: Round One, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final.

Of the 27 participating clubs, 22 began play in Round One. Five clubs received a bye to the Round of 16 and are now set to begin their campaign: the champions of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, Concacaf Central American Cup, Leagues Cup, MLS Cup, and the Liga MX champion with the higher place in the overall standings.

The first four stages each include home and away play, while the Final is played as a single-leg match.

Concacaf Champions Cup History

Starting with the 2024 edition, the Concacaf Champions Cup replaced the Champions League as the top men’s continental tournament, which crowns the region's club champion and is the only route to qualify for the quadrennial FIFA Club World Cup and the annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

The name “Concacaf Champions Cup” is part of a vibrant and modern visual identity, inspired by this tournament’s rich history. The brand essence is "Epic Battles for Greatness", which symbolizes how difficult this competition is to qualify for, to compete in, and to win.

Since 1962, when the first iteration of this tournament was formed, 30 different clubs have won this title, highlighting the tournament's competitiveness and the great diversity of champions the Confederation has.

Cruz Azul of Mexico is the defending champion, having secured its record-tying seventh title in 2025 with a dominant 5–0 victory over Canada’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the Final.

Champions

• 1962: Chivas (MEX)
• 1963: Racing Haitien (HAI)
• 1967: Alianza FC (SLV)
• 1968: Toluca (MEX)
• 1969: Cruz Azul (MEX)
• 1970: Cruz Azul (MEX)
• 1971: Cruz Azul (MEX)
• 1972: CD Olimpia (HON)
• 1973: SV Transvaal (SUR)
• 1974: Municipal (GUA)
• 1975: Atletico Espanol (MEX)
• 1976: Aguila (SLV)
• 1977: Club America (MEX)
• 1978: Comunicaciones (GUA), Defence Force (TRI), Leones Negros (MEX)
• 1979: FAS (SLV)
• 1980: Pumas (MEX)
• 1981: SV Transvaal (SUR)
• 1982: Pumas (MEX)
• 1983: Atlante (MEX)
• 1984: Violette AC (HAI)
• 1985: Defence Force (TRI)
• 1986: Alajuelense (CRC)
• 1987: Club America (MEX)
• 1988: CD Olimpia (HON)
• 1989: Pumas (MEX)
• 1990: Club America (MEX)
• 1991: Puebla (MEX)
• 1992: Club America (MEX)
• 1993: Deportivo Saprissa (CRC)
• 1994: CS Cartaginés (CRC)
• 1995: Deportivo Saprissa (CRC)
• 1996: Cruz Azul (MEX)
• 1997: Cruz Azul (MEX)
• 1998: DC United (USA)
• 1999: Necaxa (MEX)
• 2000: Los Angeles Galaxy (USA)
• 2002: Club Pachuca (MEX)
• 2003: Toluca (MEX)
• 2004: LD Alajuelense (CRC)
• 2005: Deportivo Saprissa (CRC)
• 2006: Club America (MEX)
• 2007: Club Pachuca (MEX)
• 2008: Club Pachuca (MEX)
• 2008-09: Atlante (MEX)
• 2009-10: CF Pachuca (MEX)
• 2010-11: CF Monterrey (MEX)
• 2011-12: CF Monterrey (MEX)
• 2012-13: CF Monterrey (MEX)
• 2013-14: Cruz Azul (MEX)
• 2014-15: Club America (MEX)
• 2015-16: Club America (MEX)
• 2016-17: CF Pachuca (MEX)
• 2018: Chivas (MEX)
• 2019: Monterrey (MEX)
• 2020: Tigres UANL (MEX)
• 2021: CF Monterrey (MEX)
• 2022: Seattle Sounders FC (USA)
• 2023: Club Leon (MEX)
• 2024: CF Pachuca (MEX)
• 2025: Cruz Azul (MEX)