Nashville SC kick off their 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup campaign on Tuesday with the first leg of the Round One tie at Hamilton Stadium in Ontario against Atlético Ottawa. The match, set for February 17 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), marks Nashville’s second appearance in the tournament after securing their spot by winning the 2025 US Open Cup.
Broadcast Information for the Opening Match
Fans can watch the game live in English on FS2, while Spanish-speaking audiences can tune into TUDN. The two-legged series sees the second encounter hosted by Nashville at GEODIS Park on February 24. The aggregate winner will advance to the Round of 16 in March, where they will face Inter Miami CF, who earned a bye as the 2025 MLS Cup champions.
Atlético Ottawa Making Champions Cup Debut After Historic CPL Title
Atlético Ottawa are participating in the Concacaf Champions Cup for the first time, having qualified by winning the 2025 Canadian Premier League title. The club, founded in 2020 with ties to LaLiga’s Atlético Madrid, is coached by former Mexican midfielder Diego Mejía. Their squad features promising talents such as Canadian center back Noah Abatneh, recently called up to the Canadian national team, as well as Mexican players Jonantán Villal, an El Tri youth international, and midfielder Daniel Aguilar.
Nashville SC’s Key Players and Title Defense Ambitions
Nashville, known as the Coyotes, are propelled by their designated player duo Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, who together scored 40 of the club’s 58 regular-season goals in 2025. The team bolstered their lineup during the offseason by adding DP playmaker Cristian Espinoza, further positioning themselves as one of MLS’s top contenders for silverware in 2026.
The Stakes and Context of the Concacaf Champions Cup
With nine MLS clubs vying in this prestigious continental competition, the tournament offers much more than regional bragging rights. The winner will secure a spot in both the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The season-long battle will culminate with a single-match final scheduled for May 30.
Upcoming Challenges and Broader Tournament Landscape
As Atlético Ottawa and Nashville SC battle for advancement, other notable ties will also unfold, such as Cruz Azul facing Monterrey in the Round of 16. The outcome of Nashville’s matchup is especially important, as it determines whether they join MLS powerhouse Inter Miami CF, fresh off their MLS Cup victory, in the next phase of competition.
Significance of Nashville’s Concacaf Campaign for the Club and Fans
This Concacaf Champions Cup run represents a pivotal moment for Nashville SC, offering a chance to build on last year’s US Open Cup triumph and establish themselves as a dominant force in regional competition. The experience gained by players like Mukhtar, Surridge, and new addition Espinoza will be vital as the club seeks to deepen its presence on the international stage. Meanwhile, Atlético Ottawa’s debut highlights the growing competitiveness of Canadian soccer and their ambition to make an impact beyond the domestic league.
¡Cruz Azul se medirá a Monterrey en Octavos de Final! 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/n535B8NgYl
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 13, 2026
A new Champions Cup campaign begins for Nashville SC 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/KPU2dAJllJ
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) January 29, 2026
