The chance to secure Chattanooga's first professional national championship, in any sport, is at stake on Sunday at Fort Finley.
The moment is here.
The first professional national title match in Chattanooga sports history takes place this Sunday, November 8 at Finley Stadium.
Eastern Conference champions Chattanooga FC host Western Conference champions LAFC 2 for the chance to lift MLS NEXT Pro Cup, which would represent the club's first professional national championship trophy.
CFC booked its place in the league final after securing an unforgettable 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Columbus Crew 2 last Sunday, while LAFC 2 defeated cross-city rivals Ventura County FC.
This will represent the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
What's at stake
One week after claiming the club's first piece of silverware since joining the league, Chattanooga FC has the chance to add a national title to its trophy cabinet.
Finley fortress
The Boys in Blue bring a seven-match winning streak into the match, with the past three playoff victories taking place at home at Finley Stadium.
No team in MLS NEXT Pro history has played at the same venue throughout its playoff run, and CFC will look to continue its hot goalscoring form, scoring three goals in each round of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs thus far.
Chattanooga FC hosts 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup!
Sunday, November 8 | 6:00 p.m. ET
For groups and premium seating options, reach out to tickets@chattanoogafc.com.
What they said
Head Coach Richard Dixon previewed Sunday's monumental encounter with the media this week.
"To win our first professional trophy for the club is a big deal, we took 24 hours and enjoyed it a bit," Dixon said. "It was obviously a good milestone for us as a club, but the season's not over. We still have the biggest game of our season and for the club coming up on Sunday."
Defender and stoppage-time hero in the club's Eastern Conference Final victory, Farid Sar-Sar, said: "We have the most important game of the season ahead and everyone is focused. Of course we were happy after Sunday, but we are not done yet."
Know the opponent
LAFC 2 has advanced to MLS NEXT Pro Cup for the first time, and as the No. 6 seed out of the Western Connference, are the lowest-ever seed to make the league final.
The Black & Gold are coached by Fabian Sandoval.
Key players include U.S. youth national team midfielder Jude Terry, captain DeCarlo Guerra, regular season top scorer Tommy Mihalić and top assists provider Sebastian Nava.
Did you know?
Current Chattanooga FC goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović spent the 2023 season with LAFC, starting two MLS regular season matches and memorably leading the club to victory on penalty kicks over Monterey Bay in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Jakupović converted a penalty and made the winning save in the shootout to clinch a Round of 16 berth for the Black & Gold.
Match information
(2) Chattanooga FC vs. (6) LAFC 2
2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup
Venue: Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Kick-off: Sunday, November 8, 6:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball TV | Talent: James Hadnot (Play-by-play), Calen Carr (Analyst), Isaiah Reid (sideline reporter) | Spanish broadcast on MLSNEXTPro.com with Ramon Chavez (Play-by-play) and Carlos Suarez (Analyst)
Tickets: Single-match tickets available here
Extra time
If the match is level at the end of regulation, two 15-minute halves of extra time will be played. If the match remains tied after extra time, it will then go to a penalty shootout.
Team kits for Sunday's match
Referees
Rodrigo Albuquerque
Head Referee
Joe Suchoski
Assistant Referee 1
Ricardo Ocampo
Assistant Referee 2
Danielle Chesky
4th Official
