Could the MLS Cup Playoff format be headed for a shakeup in 2022?
According to The Athletic’s Sam Stejskal and Pablo Maurer, the league is set to make a change to the current 7-team per conference setup next year, which could equate to “roughly 30” postseason matches beginning in 2023 instead of the current 13. The potential move is being precipitated by St. Louis CITY SC's entry into the league and the start of a 10-year global broadcast deal with Apple TV.
One source The Athletic spoke to mentioned a possible “World Cup-style playoff tournament” in which the top 8 teams in each conference advanced to the playoffs and are then placed into groups of 4 (split by conference).