By 2005, seeking broader domestic appeal and international recognition, MLS pivoted to an ambitious new format: pitting its top players against visiting European powerhouses during their summer preseason tours. For fifteen years, this model brought marquee clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid to American stadiums.

The European format concluded in 2019 following a matchup against Atletico Madrid. After the 2020 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MLS established a rivalry showcase by partnering with Mexico’s top division, Liga MX. In 2026, both MLS and Liga MX built star-studded rosters as this rivalry continues.

MLS holds advantage over Liga MX

Since launching the inter-league format in 2021, MLS has controlled the series, winning three of the four meetings against Liga MX:

• 2021 (Los Angeles): MLS earned the inaugural bragging rights after winning a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw.
• 2022 (Minnesota): MLS secured a 2–1 victory at Allianz Field.
• 2023 (Washington, D.C.): MLS briefly paused the Liga MX rivalry to host Premier League contender Arsenal at Audi Field, enduring a 5–0 defeat.
• 2024 (Columbus): Pushed by the 2023 setback, MLS returned to the Liga MX format. Liga MX capitalized with a dominant 4–1 victory at Lower.com Field.
• 2025 (Austin): MLS reclaimed the crown with a convincing 3–1 triumph at Q2 Stadium.

As the 2026 edition approaches, MLS’s strong track record leaves them as the favorite, though Liga MX remains eager to even the score in North America’s premier summer spectacle. Dean Smith is coaching MLS while Antonio Mohamed manages the Liga MX squad.

The evolution of the MLS All-Star Game

Around 35,000 fans are expected to attend this exciting event, which will be missing several notable stars. Global icon Lionel Messi will not play, as he is being rested following his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Charlotte will play host to this highly anticipated event, with the renowned Bank of America Stadium serving as the venue. Fans can look forward to an action-packed showcase featuring some of the finest talent and skill from both MLS and Liga MX.

Where is Antonio Mohamed coaching now?

Antonio Mohamed currently serves as the head coach of Deportivo Toluca FC in Liga MX. Throughout his managerial career, Mohamed has established himself as one of the most decorated managers in Mexican soccer, winning multiple Liga MX titles across different teams—including Club Tijuana (Apertura 2012), Club America (Apertura 2014), Monterrey (Apertura 2019), and Toluca.

Beyond his domestic success in Mexico, which also includes two Copa MX trophies and a CONCACAF Champions Cup victory with Toluca, Mohamed guided Argentina’s Independiente to the Copa Sudamericana title in 2010 and lifted both the Supercopa do Brasil and Campeonato Mineiro during his stint with Atletico Mineiro in 2022.

Dean Smith’s international journey

Dean Smith currently serves as the head coach of Charlotte FC in MLS. His signature managerial achievement came with Aston Villa, where he took charge in 2018 and successfully guided his boyhood club back to the Premier League via the EFL Championship play-offs in 2019, followed by taking them to the 2020 EFL Cup Final.

Over his extended coaching career across English soccer—which includes successful spells at Walsall, Brentford, Norwich City, and Leicester City—Smith earned a reputation for building attractive, attack-minded sides and developing high-profile talent, notably managing Jack Grealish during Villa’s resurgence.

While the official attendance will only be confirmed after kickoff, demand for tickets has been high throughout All-Star Week. Charlotte has become one of MLS‘s premier markets since Charlotte FC entered the league in 2022.

That passionate fan base, combined with the city’s successful hosting of major international soccer events, helped earn Charlotte the right to stage the league’s 30th All-Star Game, which features major figures such as Antonio Mohamed.

Why is Charlotte one of MLS’ top attendance markets?

Charlotte has become one of MLS’ top attendance markets thanks to its consistently large crowds, strong local support and the flexibility of Bank of America Stadium, one of the biggest soccer venues in the league.

Since joining Major League Soccer in 2022, Charlotte FC has ranked among the league leaders in attendance and has regularly attracted more than 30,000 fans per home match. It made an immediate impact when the club debuted in 2022.

Its inaugural home match drew 74,479 spectators, setting an MLS record for a team’s first home game and proving there was significant demand for top-flight soccer in the Carolinas.

Since then, the club has continued to post some of the league’s highest attendance figures, frequently opening the upper deck at Bank of America Stadium for marquee matches.

Charlotte’s passionate supporters have also helped create one of the league’s most recognizable matchday atmospheres. Supporters’ groups, coordinated pregame marches and an expanding youth soccer community have fueled the club’s rapid growth.

What is the attendance record for an MLS All-Star Game?

The MLS All-Star Game attendance record is 78,416 fans, set during the inaugural 1996 edition at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. However, that figure came during a doubleheader that also featured Brazil‘s national team against the FIFA World Stars.

When considering only standalone MLS All-Star Games, the record belongs to the 2018 MLS All-Star Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The matchup between the MLS All-Stars and Juventus attracted 72,317 spectators.

That one surpassed the previous standalone record of 70,728, which had been established in 2010 when the MLS All-Stars faced Manchester United at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. The 2018 edition marked a milestone for Major League Soccer.

Not only did it become the highest-attended standalone MLS All-Star Game, but the league also announced it was the second-largest attendance ever for an All-Star Game across North America’s major professional sports leagues.

While Bank of America Stadium is capable of hosting crowds above 70,000 for major soccer events, the 2026 MLS All-Star Game is using a reduced seating configuration of roughly 35,000 spectators.

The home of Charlotte FC welcomes the event for the first time, adding another milestone to the club’s short but rapidly growing history. With thousands of fans gathering in the Queen City, the game is once again more than an exhibition.

The matchup has become a yearly measuring stick between Major League Soccer and Mexico’s top flight, featuring many of the continent’s biggest names while celebrating the league’s 30th edition of the event.

Why is Charlotte hosting the 2026 MLS All-Star Game?

Charlotte is hosting the 2026 MLS All-Star Game because Major League Soccer selected the city and Charlotte FC to stage the league’s 30th All-Star edition, recognizing the region’s rapid growth as one of soccer’s strongest markets.

MLS announced Charlotte as the host in July 2025, making it the first time the city has welcomed the league’s annual showcase. The decision reflects Charlotte’s emergence as a premier soccer destination since the club joined MLS in 2022.

The club has consistently ranked among the league leaders in attendance, while Bank of America Stadium has hosted record-breaking crowds, international friendlies, CONCACAF competitions and major events that demonstrated the city’s ability to organize high-profile matches.

Hosting the All-Star Game also comes shortly after Charlotte played a prominent role during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing the city to capitalize on the momentum generated by the global tournament.

How to get to Bank of America Stadium for the MLS All-Star Game

The easiest way to get to Bank of America Stadium for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game is by using Charlotte’s LYNX Blue Line light rail, rideshare services or one of the official parking lots located around Uptown Charlotte.

The stadium sits just west of the city’s central business district, making it easily accessible on foot from several transit stations. Fans traveling by light rail can take the LYNX Blue Line and exit at Brooklyn Village, 3rd Street/Convention Center or Carson Station.

CATS buses also operate multiple routes serving Uptown throughout the day, providing another public transportation option for attendees. Those driving to the venue are encouraged to purchase parking in advance, as demand is expected to be extremely high.

Gates open well before the 8 PM ET kickoff, giving fans plenty of time to clear security, explore concessions and enjoy the pregame atmosphere before the MLS All-Stars face Liga MX’s top players.

The game started with a quickgoal by the MLS All-Star squad. After a ball served to the penalty area by Diego Palacios, Carlos Vela crushed it with a headerto lead the game with the LAFC connection. Despite the efforts from both sides, the score didn’tmoved up for the rest of the first half.

For the second half almost every player who started was subbed off. However, the intensity of the game didn’t stop. The Liga MX All-Stars had the control of the ball, but couldn’t score an equalizer. So, near the end of the game, Raul Ruidiaz scored second goal for his side. Minutes later, Kevin Alvarez scored one for the Liga MX.Finally, the MLS All-Star teambeat for the second time in a rowthe Liga MX team.

US viewers:

Carlos Vela(MLS All-Star 1- Liga MX All-Star0)

Raul Ruidiaz (MLS All-Star 2 – Liga MX All-Star 0)

MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars: Matchpreview

MLS All-Stars and Liga MX All-Stars will meet at Allianz Field in Saint Paulin the 2022-23 MLS All-Star Game today, August 10, 2022. Without Gareth Bale and Lorenzo Insigne, but with Chicharito Hernandez as their captain, the MLS side will be looking for a new win against the best players from the Mexican team. Here you can find the kick-off time of this exhibition soccer match and how to watch it or live stream free in your country. For instance, you can watch it on fuboTV (Free 7-day Trial) in the United States.

This will be their second overall meeting. No surprises here as MLS All-Stars have been the absolute favorites in head-to-head duels, winning their only clash so far; Liga MX All-Stars are yet to celebratea victory to this day, and no matches have ended in a draw.

Their most recent game was played on August 25, 2021, when the MLS All-Stars won 3-2 on penalties in the 2021-22 MLS All-Star Game. It promises to be an even more exciting clash as they meet again, in the new edition of theMLS All-Star Game.

MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars: Kick-off Time

Australia: 10:30 AM(AEST) (Thursday)
Botswana: 2:30 AM (Thursday)
Cameroon: 1:30 AM (Thursday)
Canada: 8:30 PM (ET)
Ethiopia: 3:30 AM (Thursday)
Germany: 2:30 AM (Thursday)
Ghana: 12:30 AM (Thursday)
Ireland: 1:30 AM (Thursday)
Kenya: 3:30 AM (Thursday)
Mexico: 7:30 PM
Nigeria: 1:30 AM (Thursday)
Portugal: 1:30 AM (Thursday)
Russia: 3:30 AM (MSK) (Thursday)
Rwanda: 2:30 AM (Thursday)
South Africa: 2:30 AM (Thursday)
Sudan: 2:30 AM (Thursday)
UK: 1:30 AM (Thursday)
US: 8:30 PM (ET)
Zimbabwe: 2:30 AM (Thursday)

MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars: TV Channel and Live Streaming

Botswana: ESPN Africa, DStv Now
Cameroon: ESPN Africa, DStv Now
Canada: TVA Sports, TSN App, TSN.ca
Ethiopia: DStv Now, ESPN Africa
Ghana: DStv Now, ESPN Africa
Kenya: DStv Now, ESPN Africa
Ghana: DStv Now, ESPN Africa
Nigeria: ESPN Africa
Portugal: Sport TV Multiscreen, Sport TV3
Rwanda: ESPN Africa
South Africa: ESPN Africa
Sudan: DSTV Now
US: fuboTV (Free 7-day Trial), TUDN App, TUDN.com, Univision, TUDN USA, ESPN, Univision NOW
Zimbabwe:ESPN Africa, DStv Now

Year after year the MLS teams invest more money to buy the best players, especially international players, although some of those players are about to retire, the league prefers sign famous players to play 2-3 seasons.

The MLS All-Star team wants to win this game against the Liga MX All-Star team to send a message to the other international leagues that they are a good place to develop players since most of the MLS All-Star team players are foreign.

Which players will miss the 2022 All-Star MLS Game?

On the MLS side, many players will not be available due to injuries and other factors such as some of them recently signed for an MLS team and that does not allow them to play in the All-Star game.

– Gareth Bale
– Lorenzo Insigne
– Gonzalo Higuain
– Xherdan Shaqiri
– Giorgio Chiellini
– Hector Franco
– DeJuan Jones
– Pedro Gallese
– Alan Franco
– Jonathan Mensah
– Thiago Almada
– Héctor Herrera

The Liga MX All-Star team also misses important players who were not called up to join the roster and the worst thing is that most of them are key players for their teams. One of them, Gignac, is considered one of the top players in the Mexican league.

– Rubens Sambueza
– Andre-Pierre Gignac
– Leonardo Fernandez
– Santiago Gimenez
– Maximiliano Meza

The criteria is not the sameto be selected for either the MLS or the Liga MX squads. For example, Lorenzo Insignewasn’t selected to play in the MLS All-Star game, but he will be representing the MLS in the Skills Challenge on Tuesday.

As well asAlexis Vega will play for Liga MX in the Skills Challenge but won’t take part on the All-Star Game. However, the 29-year-old player won’t be representing the Liga MX at all. Check out the reason why right below.

Florian Thauvin won’t play for the All-Star Liga MX team

Florian Thauvin was one of the biggest new signings for the current Liga MX season. That’s why when the Liga MX team was announced it came as a surprise that the French player wasn’t considered among the 26-man squad list.

In the 2022 Liga MX Clausura, Thauvin played 28 games and registered 5 goals with 3 assists for Tigres UANL. In fact, he made his first goal after only two games. However, he struggled to maintain a good overall performance.

That’s why when theGolden Ball 2021-22 winners and the best XI came out, he wasn’t considered. Therefore, Tigres UANL have three players listed for the 2022 MLS All-Star game for the All-Star Liga MX team. Those players are defenderJesús Angulo,midfielder Guido Pizarroand strikerLuis Quiñones.

Despite the MLS All-Star squad is based on this year’s performance, the Liga MX team is based on the last league’s performance. So that’s the reason Atlas have six players and their manager Diego Cocca in the Liga MX squad.

In fact, as Club America didn’t makeit to the Liga MX Quarterfinalsonly one Las Aguilas player was selected to play for the Liga MX All-Star team. That player is Alvaro Fidalgo, the Spaniard will carry the Club America flag in this Liga MX vs MLS game.

Guillermo Ochoawon’t play for the All-Star Liga MX team

The Liga MX front office arrange the Liga MX All-Star team according to last season best XI. Asthe 37-year-old goalkeeper didn’t make it to the best lineup of the 2022 Torneo ClausuraLiga MX, he won’t be playing for the All-Star Liga MX team. Last year, Ochoa played for the All-Star Liga MX team as the starting goalkeeper of the lineup.

Also he has helped Club Americaduring this beginning of the season. In fact, Las Aguilas are among the top 5 teams to have conceded less goals so far in the 2022 Liga MX Apertura.That’s why his absence cames as a surprise for many Liga MX fans.

The 26-man Liga MX squad listincludes three goalkeepers. These goalkeepers areCamilo Vargas of Atlas, Oscar Ustari of Pachuca andCarlos Acevedo of Santos Laguna. The Liga MX squad are already in Minnesota ready for the Wednesday night’s game.

There are great expectations to watch the best players of the 2022 MLS regular season, but some will not be available since last week was tough and multiple players suffered injuries that left them off the roster for the All-Star game.

Usually the best players are the top scorers and the players with the most assists during the season, but other big names like Higuain are called to play in the All-Star game even though they are not featured in some stats.

Why won’t Gonzalo Higuain of Inter Miami play in the 2022 MLS All-Star game?

Inter Miami are fighting to climb positions in their conference and be able to reach the playoffs, this could be their first time in a postseason. But the bad news came last week when Gonzalo Higuain was playing against the San Jose Earthquakes (August 3) and he suffered a Jaw injury that forced him out of the game early.

Gonzalo Higuain is Inter Miami’s top scorer along with Leonardo Campana, both players with eight goals scored. Of those eight goals Higuain scored three by penalty kicks and that makes him the Inter Miami player with the most penalty kicks goals.

Before the start of the current season, rumors circulated about Higuain’s retirement from soccer, but during the first week of April he said that the comments about his retiremente were misunderstood, despite the fact that his father was the origin of said comments.

This will be the second consecutive year that MLS plays against the best Liga MX players, since previously the format of the game was the MLS All-Star team against a European team like Atletico Madrid, Arsenal or Real Madrid.

In 2020 the All-Star game was not played due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but a year later in 2021 the event took place and the MLS team won against the Mexicans players 3-2 on penalty kicks. That victory was the end of a losing streak of four consecutive years.

Why won’t Gareth Bale of LAFC play in the 2022 MLS All-Star game?

Gareth Bale will not be in the 2022 MLS All-Star game as he is a new player in the league and because of that he must wait a year to play in an All-Star game. But Bale is not the only international player who will not be available, others like Lorenzo Insigne, Giorgio Chiellini and Xherdan Shaqiri will also not play in the event against the Mexicans.

Los Angeles FC need big players like Gareth Bale to continue dominating their conference as they are doing so far with a strong record and almost 20 wins. LAFC are one of the big favorites to play in the playoffs.

The 2022 MLS All-Star Game will be hosted at the Allianz Field in Saint Paul, the home stadium of Minnesota United at 8:30 PM (ET). The game will be broadcasted by ESPN (English), Univision (Spanish), and in Canada two channels will offer the game, one is TSN (English) and the other is TVA Sports (French).

In his 12-year football career, Insigne has played for Italian-only clubs like Napoli, Cavese, Foggia and Pescara. Also, he has completed all the way through the youth Italian national teams with the U-20 and U-21 before he made his senior debut.

Despite he is a 2021UEFA Euro Champion, the Major League Soccer decided to leave him out of the 2022 MLS All-Star game. However, he won’t be totally out of the MLS All-Star action for the coming week at the Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Lorenzo Insignewon’t play against the All-Star Liga MX team

The Italian player played his first MLS game on July 23. Its just two weeks before the MLS All-Star game. Since then, Insigne has played 2 more games and registered 1 goal scored. Therefore, the Major League Soccer decided not to list him for the MLS All-Star roster.

However, the 31-year-old player will be taking part of the MLS All-Star event. As he was selected in a 10-man rosterto compete in the Skills Challenge for the MLS team on Tuesday, August 9 at theAllianz Field.

The MLS roster to compete in the 2022 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge is composed bySebastian Driussi,Jesus Ferreira, Javier Hernandez, Hector Herrera, Carles Gil, Sean Johnson, Hany Mukhtar,Dayne St. Clair and Emanuel Reynoso.