Decision Day 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, serving as the final day of the MLS regular season. The day will determine Audi MLS Cup Playoffs positions, the Golden Boot presented by Audi race, and whether a new single-season points record will be set.
According to a November 3 report, the Eastern Conference matches will kick off at 4 p.m. ET, while Western Conference matches will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Apple TV. The lone cross-conference match between CF Montréal and Vancouver Whitecaps FC is also scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
In the Western Conference, six clubs are battling for the final three postseason spots, including one automatic spot in the Round One Best-of-3 Series and two Wild Card places. The competition includes LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids, Seattle Sounders FC, Real Salt Lake, and Minnesota United FC. Specifically, Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy will face each other, while Colorado and Portland can guarantee postseason qualification with wins over FC Dallas and Austin FC, respectively.
Nashville SC is traveling to TQL Stadium to face FC Cincinnati with a chance to set an MLS single-season points record. Having already equaled the 74-point record set by Inter Miami CF in 2024, Nashville needs only a draw to establish a new benchmark.
Nashville also has the opportunity to set or equal three other single-season records: most wins in the post-shootout era (22), best goal differential (+44), and fewest goals conceded in a 34-game season (25).
The 2026 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi is currently led by Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi, who has 26 goals. If he maintains this lead, he would become the first player in MLS history to win the award in consecutive seasons. He currently leads FC Dallas' Petar Musa, who has 22 goals.
In the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, and Orlando City SC are fighting to avoid the Wild Card round. Philadelphia needs a draw to advance directly to Round One, while Cincinnati can guarantee its place with a win.
The 2026 MLS season has seen significant teenage talent, with teenagers setting records for players (95), goalscorers (29), and goal contributions (174). Individual players like Julian Hall, Cavan Sullivan, and Adri Mehmeti are positioned to potentially add to these teenage records on Decision Day.
The Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin on Thursday, November 19, and will lead to the 2026 MLS Cup presented by Audi on Friday, December 18.
