GOAL takes a look at North America's premier competition, which begins this week, previewing what to expect, favorites and more

The 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup kicks off Tuesday as Haitian underdogs Real Hope host Liga MX giants Cruz Azul in Leg 1 of their first-round clash — marking the start of five months of high-stakes action in North America’s top club competition.

Last year, Columbus Crew shocked the region, toppling Tigres and Monterrey on the road before an ill-timed bout of food poisoning derailed their final against Pachuca. They fell short of becoming just the second MLS team to lift the trophy, following Seattle Sounders' historic 2022 triumph.

Now, with talent at an all-time high and the Liga MX-MLS rivalry fiercer than ever — fueled by the rise of the Leagues Cup — the battle for continental supremacy is wide open. Will MLS' rapid growth and star power, including Messi, tip the scales? Or will Liga MX’s dominance endure?

One thing is certain: this tournament always delivers the unexpected. With the reigning champions absent, the 2025 edition is anyone’s to claim. GOAL takes a look at what to expect in the coming months, including first-round matches, expectations for the top clubs competing, who the favorites are, and more.

Getty Images SportWhat you need to know about the Champions Cup

What is it?

The Champions Cup is North America's prestige tournament. Although it may not hold the same standard or pedigree that the UEFA Champions League or CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores holds, it's held on the same podium as Europe and South America's elite continental competitions. It puts the standard of the game to the test between the most talented teams from CONCACAF, which stretches from Canada to the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean nations.

It's been contested, in some fashion, since 1962. However, the modern era of the competition began in 2002. Mexican clubs have won 19 of 22 titles since the modern era began, with the Sounders being MLS' lone champion during that span, as noted. However, since 2011, seven MLS sides have reached the final of the competition, which has only helped the growth of the competition.

The winner of the competition receives $5M in prize money, along with an automatic berth into the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup

How to watch:

In the United States, matches will be available for streaming on Fox Sports 2 and Tubi.

AdvertisementAFPWho are the favorites from MLS?

There is a record-high 10 MLS teams competing in 2025, including FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City, Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps. However, multiple MLS sides will exit after the opening round due to domestic matchups, meaning only a few will truly compete for the coveted prize. Among them, three truly stand out, and GOAL details them below.

LA Galaxy:

MLS' reigning champions blew the league away in 2024, claiming their first MLS Cup since 2014. The quartet of Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, Riqui Puig, and Dejan Joveljic dominated defenses in the league, week after week. However, Joveljic has since departed, after Sporting KC acquired him for $4M, which ultimately means big changes for the club. Then LA also have to factor the absence of Puig, who is still recovering from the injury he got in the Western Conference Final.

They have yet to fill Joveljic's spot on the roster, or a solution in Puig's absence, which could mean their attack doesn't quite click in the same fashion. However, with an automatic berth into the Round of 16, they're still ultimately one of MLS' favorites.

Inter Miami:

Simply having Lionel Messi on your roster ultimately gives you a leg up over your opposition. Simply put, he is a game-changing attacker in any situation, and if healthy, he will be an incredible asset for the during their 2025 CCC run. The competition will also prove to be a good challenge for the club ahead of the 2025 FIFA World Cup, which begins shortly after the 2025 CCC final.

In Round 1, Miami clashes with Sporting Kansas City in a two-legged affair.

Columbus Crew:

One thing is certain about this team: they are resilient. True fighters, the Crew's 2024 run in CCC was remarkable, and they followed it up by winning the Leagues Cup and clinching the second spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Although their postseason run was underwhelming, Nancy's men are still one of the favorites heading into the 2025 edition of the tournament, and like the Galaxy, have a Round 1 bye and will enter come the Round of 16. Despite the rumored exit of Cucho Hernandez, Nancy is MLS's top coach for a reason and he will likely have a solution in place by the time his team takes the pitch for its CCC match-up.

Getty Images SportWho are the favorites from Liga MX?

Mexico's best will take centerstage in the opening round of the competition, with each entrant having a legitimate shot at the region's top club trophy. There are six total entrants in CD Guadalajara, CF Monterrey, Club America, Cruz Azul, Pumas UNAM, and Tigres UANL, however, three stand out from the rest. GOAL details why they're favorites among the options.

Cruz Azul:

Cruz Azul's 2024-2025 transfer business stands above the rest of Mexico, and that's why they top the list. Since the start of 2024, they've brought in LAFC star and Poland international Mateusz Bogusz, Atlanta United forward Giorgos Giakoumakis, Chivas defender and Mexico international Jesus Orozco Chiquete, LAFC defender Omar Campos, former AC Milan winger Luka Romero and San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeping prodigy Emmanuel Ochoa – among others – to bolster their roster. They've prepared for this competition like no other in Mexico, and are rightfully Liga MX's favorites as a result

Club America:

In 2024, America, led by U.S. international Alex Zendejas, made the semifinals of the tournament only to fall 3-2 to Pachuca over two legs. Despite that, America secured an absolutely historic three-peat in Liga MX in 2024 after winning the Apertura title. They finished the regular season in eighth, which made it all the more special; however, that small bit of inconsistency in 2024 is why they aren't top of the list ahead of this year's competition.

America have a Round 1 bye and will enter the competition at the Round of 16.

CF Monterrey:

, spearheaded by stupendous forward German Berterame and former La Liga standout Sergio Canales, will look to return to the winner's podium this year after four years away. The five-time winners lifted the trophy in 2019 and 2021, and have a specific pedigree for this tournament. Although they recently lost U.S. international Brandon Vazquez to Austin FC, they surely will at least add one more piece to their roster ahead of a Cup run, which automatically strengthens them.

AFPWhat about the rest of CONCACAF competing

In 2004, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense became the first non-Liga MX/MLS team to win the tournament in the modern era, and fellow Costa Rican side Saprissa followed it up with a 2005 victory in the tournament. Since it's been dominated by North America's two top leagues, however, there is still a chance that a smaller league club will compete for a title this year.

In the 2025 edition of the tournament, these teams will represent the other portions of CONCACAF competing:

Canadian Premier League

Cavalry FC, CanadaForge FC, Canada

Concacaf Caribbean Cup

Cavalier FC, JamaicaCibao FC, Dominican RepublicReal Hope FA, Haiti

Concacaf Central American Cup

Antigua GFC, GuatemalaCS Herediano, Costa RicaDeportivo Saprissa, Costa RicaFC Motagua, HondurasLD Alajuelense, Costa Rica (automatic Round of 16 berth)Real Esteli FC, Nicaragua