NEW YORK, NEW YORK (October 26, 2026) – After a thrilling Conference Semifinals on Sunday that saw both number one seeds fall, MLS NEXT Pro announced today the schedule for the third round of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, the Conference Finals. The Western Conference Final will take place on Friday, October 30 at 10 p.m. ET as No. 3 Ventura County FC (LA Galaxy affiliate) faces cross-town rival, No. 6 LAFC 2. The Eastern Conference Final will take place on Sunday, November 1 at 5 p.m. ET when No. 2 Chattanooga FC hosts Conference heavyweights, No. 4 Columbus Crew 2.
The winners of the Conference Finals will advance to MLS NEXT Pro Cup the weekend of November 6. As the highest-remaining seeds, Chattanooga FC, Ventura County FC and Columbus Crew 2 have the ability to host Cup, where the League’s fifth champion will be crowned.
The Conference Finals schedule is as follows, with both matches airing on OneFootball.com and MLSNEXTPro.com.
Western Conference
Friday, October 30
Ventura County FC (No. 3) vs LAFC 2 (No. 6) – Dignity Health Sports Park (10 p.m. ET)
Eastern Conference
Sunday, November 1
Chattanooga FC (No. 2) vs Columbus Crew 2 (No. 4) – Finley Stadium (5 p.m. ET)
Conference Finals Matchups
No. 3 Ventura County FC hosts a rivalry match for the Western Conference Final, facing No. 6 LAFC 2 in a Playoff edition of “El Trafichico,” the MLS NEXT Pro version of the infamous cross-town MLS rivalry, “El Trafico.” During the regular season the teams faced each other three times, with each club going 1-1-1 against the other. Ventura County FC has advanced beyond the Conference Quarterfinals for the first time in its third MLS NEXT Pro Playoff appearance, while LAFC 2 continues a dream run in its first journey in the MLS NEXT Pro postseason.
No. 2 Chattanooga FC hosts No. 4 Columbus Crew 2 in the Eastern Conference Final. Chattanooga FC has the advantage in the season series against the Ohio club, winning the sole fixture between the teams during the 2026 regular season. Chattanooga FC makes League history as the first independent team to appear in a Conference Final. Columbus Crew 2 returns to the Eastern Conference Final for the fourth time in club history – Columbus has appeared in every Eastern Conference Final except for 2025. Crew 2 won the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup in 2022 and returned to the final the following year, falling to 2023 Champions, Austin FC II.
How They Got Here – Conference Semifinal Results
The Conference Semifinals took place on Sunday, October 25, with three teams upsetting their higher-seeded opponents.
No. 3 Ventura County FC’s Arnau Vilamitjana was the hero again, scoring the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against No. 2 Portland Timbers2 in the 84th minute. Vilamitjana also scored the game-winner against MNUFC2 in the previous round, a 3-2 victory in the Conference Quarterfinals.
No. 6 LAFC 2 took the fight to the League leaders, No. 1 Austin FC II, playing a closely contested match that seemed destined for a deadlock at the end of regulation. Tied 0-0 in second half stoppage time, Sebastian Nava (LAFC) stunned the home crowd with a goal in the 92nd minute to steal the victory from the No. 1 overall seed.
No. 2 Chattanooga FC booked its first trip to the Eastern Conference Final, defeating No. 7 CT United FC at home in the first-ever match between independent clubs in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. The Boys in Blue defended home field advantage, striking first through Best XI honorable mention Tate Robertson’s sensational free kick in the 61st minute. Barnabás Tanyi equalized for the visitors four minutes later, but Chattanooga FC found the game-winning goal as Golden Boot runner-up Alex Krehl converted a penalty in the 70th minute. Steeve Louis Jean (CFC) sealed the 3-1 victory with an 83rd minute goal.
No. 4 Columbus Crew 2 went on the road to upset No. 1 Crown Legacy FC, 2-1. The No. 1 seed in the East, Crown Legacy FC selected Columbus Crew 2 instead of its traditional opponent in the bracket, No. 7 CT United FC. Prince Forfor (CLB) put the visitors ahead in the 49th minute, but 2026 Best XI honorable mention Hugo Mbongue (CLFC) answered for the hosts by scoring a penalty in the 58th minute. Brent Adu-Gyamfi (CLB) broke the deadlock in the second half, scoring the game winner in the 72nd minute.
Complete details on the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs are available at MLSNEXTPro.com.
