MIAMI.- A new era has begun in the Concacaf region with the inception of the Concacaf Champions Cup, an expanded version of the region’s new premier club championship set to kick off in February 2024.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup:
History
Beginning with the 2024 edition, the Concacaf Champions Cup replaces the Champions League as the premier men’s continental tournament, which crowns the club champion of the region and provides the sole qualification route to the new and expanded FIFA Club World Cup and the inaugural edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
The name “Concacaf Champions Cup”, which is part of a full rebrand with a vibrant and modern visual identity, is 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 to be crowned Concacaf club champion. Since 1962, when the first iteration of this tournament was formed, 30 different clubs have won this title, which highlights how competitive it is and the great diversity of champions we have had in Concacaf.
The original continental club competition in Concacaf had the same name and through its 61 year heritage (1962-2008: Concacaf Champions Cup; 2008-2023 Concacaf Champions League; 2024 onwards: Concacaf Champions Cup), there have been 30 different winners of this tournament, from Club Leon in 2023, back through a list of major clubs from Central America, North America, and the Caribbean.
Format
The 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.
The first four stages each include home and away play, while the Final, where the region’s Champion will be crowned, is played as a single-leg match on a weekend date.
Of the 27 clubs that will participate, 22 begin play in Round One and five receive a bye to the Round of 16. The qualification process for the clubs is divided per region (further details are available in the graphic below).
Furthermore, three regional cup competitions – Leagues Cup, Concacaf Central American Cup, and Concacaf Caribbean Cup, are played in the fall of each year and qualify clubs for the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Qualified Clubs
The complete list of qualified clubs is available here.
Official Draw
On December 13, Concacaf conducted the official draw for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Results of the draw are available here.
Where to watch
Fans will be able to enjoy the competition through the Confederation's TV partner networks, including FOX Sports | Tubi (USA-English), TUDN | ViX (USA-Spanish), Fox Sports Mexico (Mexico-Spanish), ESPN | Star+ (Central America, Caribbean, and South America), and the Concacaf Official Platforms for all other territories (subject to territory restrictions).
Qualification for FIFA Club World Cup
The winner of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup qualifies for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as one of four representatives from the region. The Champions Cup winners from 2021 (Monterrey), 2022 (Seattle Sounders) and 2023 (Club Leon) will also participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Qualification for the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup
The winner of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup also qualifies for the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which is the inaugural edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The FIFA Intercontinental Cup is comprised of the six teams that won their respective continental club championship in each FIFA confederation. The tournament will take place in December 2024.
Concacaf Cup 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 Aul (MEX)
1972: 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: Olimpia (HON)
1989: Pumas (MEX)
1990: Club America (MEX)
1991: Puebla (MEX)
1992: Club America (MEX)
1993: Saprissa (CRC)
1994: Cartagines (CRC)
1995: Saprissa (CRC)
1996: Cruz Azul (MEX)
1997: Cruz Azul (MEX)
1998: DC United (USA)
1999: Necaxa (MEX)
2000: Los Angeles Galaxy (USA)
2002: Pachuca (MEX)
2003: Toluca (MEX)
2004: Alajuelense (CRC)
2005: Saprissa (CRC)
2006: Club America (MEX)
2007: Pachuca (MEX)
2008: Pachuca (MEX)
2008-09: Atlante (MEX)
2009-10: CF Pachuca (MEX)
2010-11: Monterrey (MEX)
2011-12: Monterrey (MEX)
2012-13: 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: Monterrey (MEX)
2022: Seattle Sounders FC (USA)
2023: Club Leon (MEX)
