The 2024 MLS Cup did not go to plan for star-studded Inter Miami but the Herons will be among the favourites to compete for silverware again next year.

Their regular season form was historic, breaking the MLS points record with starring performances from their superstar veterans. Lionel Messi was named MLS MVP, Luis Suárez scored 25 in all competitions and Jordi Alba was named to the team of the year.

Miami made it to the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals this year and they will be looking to challenge for the continental title again in 2025. On Tuesday, at the CONCACAF Champions Cup draw in Miami, the Herons were drawn against Sporting Kansas City in Round One.

When does the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup start?

Of the 27 team to have qualified for the 2025 tournament, 22 of them will compete in Round One with the remaining five progressing straight to the Round of 16.

Round One will begin in early February with the two-legged fixtures played across four weeks of action: February 4-6 (Week 1), February 11-13 (Week 2), February 18-20 (Week 3), and February 25-27 (Week 4).

The tournament will run from February to June, culminating with a single-legged finale on June 1 with the higher-ranked team getting home advantage for the championship game.

What is the format for the CONCACAF Champions Cup?

The 2024 edition of the tournament returned to the original ‘CONCACAF Champions Cup’ name and expanded the field from 16 to 22 teams.

As was the case last year, the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup will utilise a straight knockout format with no group stage. Once the 22 Round One teams have been whittled down to 11, the five teams who received a bye will be added into the competition.

What follows is a series of two-legged fixtures in a Round of 16 (March 4-6, 11-3), quarter-finals (April 1-3, 8-10) and semi-finals (April 22-24, April 29-May 1). The winners will then progress to the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup final.