MLS Cup to Air in Prime Time

The MLS Cup will air in network prime time on a Saturday for the first time when Fox will air the championship game Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ET. The game will also air on UniMas.

MLS also set the dates for the playoffs that will begin after the regular season ends on Oct. 23. One change from recent years: the two legs of the conference finals will both be played on different dates.

Otherwise, the playoffs will consist of the same format: four knockout round games Oct. 26-27, followed by the conference semifinals on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6.

Following a break for the November FIFA calendar during which the USA will open in the Hexagonal, the first legs of the conference finals will be played Nov. 20 and 22. The second legs will be played Nov. 27 and 30.

MLS will take off the weekend of Dec. 3-4, giving the finalists a break before the final on Dec. 10.
 
2016 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule:
KNOCKOUT ROUND
Wednesday, October 26
ESPN2 & UniMas
UniMas
Thursday, Oct. 27
Two games
FS1 & UniMas
UniMas
 
CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
First Leg
Sunday, Oct. 30
ESPN, 3 p.m. ET
ESPN, 5 p.m. ET
FS1, 7 p.m. ET
FS1, 9:30 p.m. ET
Second Leg
Sunday,Nov. 6
ESPN, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)
ESPN, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
FS1, 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
FS1, 10 p.m. ET (FS1)

CONFERENCE FINALS
First Leg
Sunday, Nov. 20
Western Conference (FS1, 8 p.m. ET)
Tuesday, Nov. 22
Eastern Conference (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET
Second Leg
Sunday, Nov. 27
Western Conference (ESPN, 4 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, Nov. 30
Eastern Conference (FS1, 7 p.m. ET)
 
2016 MLS CUP
Saturday, Dec. 10
Fox, UniMas, 8 p.m. ET