Concacaf announced changes to the format of the Gold Cup, its continental championship, on Thursday, designed to provide “more compelling matchups earlier in the competition.”
From the next edition in 2027, the competition will pivot away from the traditional format of four groups of four and will utilize a new setup featuring two groups of eight teams.
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“The Gold Cup is our region’s premier men’s national team competition, and we are really excited about what this new format will bring to the tournament’s Group Stage,” Concacaf president and FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani said in a news release.
The format has similarities to the so-called “Swiss Model” now used by the UEFA Champions League, which was likewise tailored in order to showcase more high-profile matchups in the early stages of the competition.
The region’s two dominant national teams, Mexico and the United States, have traditionally faced one-sided matchups in the group stage but could now face each other, along with other top teams, earlier in the competition.
Instead of three group stage matches, each participating nation will take part in four games in the group stage. A predetermined ranking system will ensure that every team faces a variety of opponents in those four matches, Concacaf said.
“Our fans want to see the best teams in our region compete against each other, and this format will create more opportunities for those matchups to happen earlier in the competition,” Montagliani added.
“At the same time, every match will matter, with teams facing a balanced mix of opponents and competing for a place in the knockout rounds. We believe this will make for a more competitive and exciting Gold Cup from the very first match through to the Final.”
The top four teams from each of the two groups will advance to the knockout stage, which will maintain the traditional single-elimination format.
The 2027 Gold Cup will kick off on June 17 and conclude with the final on July 11. The tournament’s host has yet to be announced, though every edition of the modern event from 1991 onward has been hosted or co-hosted by the United States.
Fifteen of the 16 entrants into the next Gold Cup will be decided by the 2026-27 Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup preliminary round. Guest nation Saudi Arabia will enter as the 16th team. The draw for the tournament will be held on April 8.
Back-to-back winners Mexico are the current title-holders of the Gold Cup after defeating the U.S. 2-1 in the 2025 final.
