Concacaf Rebrands Tournament as Concacaf Champions Cup
New format includes expanded qualification and five times the prize money
Posted On: June 6, 2023 By :Beginning with the 2024 edition, the Concacaf Champions League will be rebranded as the Champions Cup, which crowns the club champion of the region and provides qualification to the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
The name Concacaf Champions Cup is part of a rebrand entitled “epic battles for greatness.” The continental club competition was called the Champions Cup from 1962–2008 before a rebranding to the Champions League. There have been 30 winners of this tournament including this year’s winner, Club Leon of Liga MX, which beat Major League Soccer’s LAFC over a two-legged final that culminated Sunday.
“The Concacaf Champions Cup will take continental club football in our region to the next level,” said Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani. “It will elevate leagues and clubs across Concacaf and the new name for the competition, alongside this vibrant new brand, allows us to celebrate our rich history while looking ahead to a great future of international club football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.”
The new structure also includes three Concacaf-sanctioned regional competitions. These include a new Concacaf Caribbean Cup, a new Concacaf Central American Cup and the expanded Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX clubs. All three regional cups will have direct qualification berths into the Champions Cup.
The top clubs in North America will continue to have the opportunity to qualify through domestic leagues (Liga MX, MLS, CPL) and cup competitions (US Open Cup, Canadian Championship). Tournaments will still take place over five rounds, with 22 teams beginning play in Round One and five receiving a bye to the Round of 16.
Concacaf will also significantly increase the financial distributions and prize money for participating clubs in Concacaf Champions Cup. Starting in 2024, the champion will receive $5 million-plus in financial distributions and prize money, an increase of more than five times compared with the Concacaf Champions League era.
Posted in: Latest News, Soccer, Sports Organizations