How much money will the champion of the MLS Cup 2021 earn?

MLS Cup 2021 Finalists

New York City FC and the Portland Timbers defied expectations to reach the 2021 MLS Cup playoff final.

New York defeated the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference in back-to-back outings to reach the title game, knocking off the New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union in dramatic fashion. Portland, meanwhile, bested the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake to earn a chance at their second league trophy.

The 2021 MLS Cup final will be played in Portland at Providence Park.

The Timbers get to host the match because they are the MLS Cup finalist with the most regular-season points (55 compared to 51 for NYCFC).

Providence Park was last given a major renovation in 2019, and it seats more than 25,000 people.

2021 MLS Prize Money

MLS tournament total prize money will be around $1.1 million. The tournament winner earns $300,000 and a confirmed place in the CONCACAF Champions League. The runner-up gets $150,000 while the two semifinal losers collect $100,000 each.

The quarterfinalist teams received $47,500 each. For making the Round of 16, eight different teams earned $20,000 and each group-stage win resulted in $14,000. The prize money structure is similar to that of the league’s regular-season and playoff bonuses under the collective bargaining agreement.

MLS Clubs that reached the 2021 playoffs 

Round of 16: $20,000

Eastern Conference: New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, Nashville, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City, and Atlanta United.

Western Conference: Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, Minnesota United.

Quarter-finals: $47,500 + $20,000

Eastern Conference: New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, and Nashville.

Western Conference: Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, and Sporting Kansas City.

Semi-finals: $100,000 + $47,500 + $20,000

Eastern Conference: New York City FC and Philadelphia Union.

Western Conference: Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake.

Final: $300,000 (winner) or $150,000 (loser) + $100,00 +47,500 + $20,000 

(Total amount without taking into account the money received for winning each regular-season game)

2021 MLS Cup Final: Portland Timbers vs New York City FC