Cincinnati, Ohio, October 20, 2025
News Summary
FC Cincinnati, the No. 2 seed, is set to face the No. 7 seed Columbus Crew in a best-of-three series in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The first match occurs at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, where fans can purchase tickets and watch on various platforms. The new playoff format guarantees a winner for each match, with penalties deciding tied games. FC Cincinnati enters the playoffs with strong momentum while Columbus Crew looks to bounce back from recent struggles. Excitement builds among fans with events and special coverage planned throughout the playoffs.
Cincinnati Set for Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Against Columbus Crew
FC Cincinnati, the No. 2 seed in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, is set to face off against the No. 7 seed Columbus Crew in a best-of-three series, following the announcement of the full playoff schedule by Major League Soccer. The highly anticipated Game 1 will take place on Monday, October 27, at 6:45 p.m. ET at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, where FC Cincinnati will have the home field advantage.
Tickets for the opening match are currently available for purchase at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets. Fans can catch the action on Fox Sports 1, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and Fox Deportes, while local radio broadcasts will be aired on iHeart Fox Sports 1360 in English and La Mega 101.5 FM in Spanish.
Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. ET at Lower.com Field in Columbus. This match will also be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with radio coverage provided by the same local stations. Should a third match be required, it will take place at TQL Stadium on Saturday, November 8, with kickoff time yet to be determined.
In a change from previous playoff formats, each match in Round One will feature a definitive winner; there will be no ties or aggregate scores this season. If regulation play ends in a tie, the match will be decided by penalty kicks, abolishing the need for extra time. The first team to win two matches will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Every playoff match will be accessible via MLS Season Pass, which is free for Apple TV subscribers.
Playoff Overview
FC Cincinnati earned its No. 2 seed by defeating Montreal 3-0 on Decision Day, showcasing its strong performance heading into the playoffs. Conversely, Columbus Crew clinched the No. 7 seed by securing a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls. Notably, the two teams last met in the postseason in 2023, where Columbus emerged victorious after a closely contested match that ended 3-2 in extra time.
This season, FC Cincinnati has faced some challenges against Columbus, managing only one win, with no losses and one draw during their two encounters. Despite this, Cincinnati enters the playoffs with momentum from winning four of their last five matches, while Columbus has struggled, winning only once in the same time frame.
Fan Engagement and Coverage
As excitement builds for the playoff games, fans are invited to a Playoffs Launch Party at MadTree Parks & Rec in Blue Ash on Wednesday, October 22, starting at 6:30 p.m. This event will kick off the playoff festivities. Throughout the playoffs, football enthusiasts can enjoy special coverage, including editions of MLS Countdown and MLS Wrap-Up, along with Spanish programming such as MLS La Previa and El Resumen.
The MLS Cup Final is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, promising an exhilarating conclusion to the 2025 season.
Summary of Matches
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Location | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | October 27 | 6:45 PM | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati | Fox Sports 1, MLS Season Pass |
| Game 2 | November 2 | 6:30 PM | Lower.com Field, Columbus | MLS Season Pass |
| Game 3 (if necessary) | November 8 | TBD | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati | MLS Season Pass |
FAQ
When is Game 1 of the FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew playoff series?
Game 1 will take place on Monday, October 27, at 6:45 p.m. ET at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
How will the playoff matches be decided?
Each match will have a definitive winner, determined through penalty kicks if tied at the end of regulation, as there will be no ties or aggregate scores.
Where can fans watch the games?
Fans can watch the games on Fox Sports 1, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and Fox Deportes.
What is the schedule for the series?
Game 1 is on October 27, Game 2 is on November 2, and Game 3 will be held on November 8 if necessary.
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