The
MLS Cup Playoffs is the
postseason elimination tournament of
Major League Soccer held at the end of the regular season en route to the
MLS Cup, the playoff championship game. Twelve teams in total from the
Eastern Conference and
Western Conference qualify for the tournament based on regular-season records, and a tiebreaking procedure exists in the case of equal records. Awarding a championship through a postseason tournament differs from most other soccer leagues around the world where the team with the most points at the end of the season is deemed champion. MLS awards the regular-season champions with the
Supporters' Shield and a direct berth in the
CONCACAF Champions League, the continental tournament. The regular-season champion must be a U.S.-based club in order to receive direct entry to Champions League. Since 2015
Audi is the official sponsor.