The MLS All-Star Skills Challenge 2026 is on Tuesday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) at Truist Field in Charlotte, streaming on MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV app. For the first time it is built as MLS stars versus Liga MX stars, across five events, the night before the All-Star Game itself.
The Skills Challenge has always been the lighter half of all-star week, but the 2026 reboot gives it an edge: the same MLS-versus-Liga MX framing as the main event, decided by a team relay. Here is how it works and who takes part.
MLS All-Star Skills Challenge 2026 format
The competition has moved on from the old run-through format. In 2026 each individual event crowns its own champion before a team relay pulls elements from all of them together for an MLS vs Liga MX finish. Five events make up the night.
- Shooting Challenge: players score points by hitting targets inside 60 seconds.
- Goalie Wars: goalkeepers kick, volley and throw to score while defending their own net.
- Crossbar Challenge: head-to-head strikes at the crossbar from the edge of the box.
- Passing Challenge: a distribution-accuracy test against placed targets.
- MLS vs Liga MX Relay: the team-based finale, combining elements of the four events.
Who takes part?
The MLS side comes from the same all-star pool. Confirmed names include goalkeepers Matt Freese and Maxime Crepeau, plus Son Heung-min, Thomas Müller, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, Evander, Zavier Gozo, Petar Musa and host-club captain Tim Ream. Goalie Wars, in particular, is worth the entry with goalkeepers of that level. Liga MX name their participants closer to the night.
How to watch the Skills Challenge in Canada
The Skills Challenge streams on MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV app from 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) on Tuesday, July 28. The All-Star Game follows the next night — our how to watch guide has the timing and streaming detail for both, and our MLS All-Star Game preview covers the main event.
FAQs
When is the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge 2026?
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT), at Truist Field in Charlotte.
How can I watch it?
It streams on MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV app.
What is new in the 2026 format?
Each event now crowns its own champion, and the night ends with an MLS vs Liga MX team relay rather than a running score.