Miami took the lead in the first half through a goal from Lionel Messi, while Fafà Picault equalized after half-time for Nashville; the match ended 1–1 after regulation time.

[3] MLS and Liga MX both paused their regular seasons for the duration of the Leagues Cup, which began with a group stage in mid-July and would conclude with the final in mid-August.

[12][14] In their opening match against Colorado, Nashville won 2–1 with goals from substitutes Hany Mukhtar and Jacob Shaffelburg in the second half before conceding late to the Rapids.

In the sixth round, a shot by Nashville defender Jack Maher was initially saved by Luis Malagón and triggered a celebration from América and several pitch invaders.

Maher's retaken penalty was scored and extended the shootout, which ultimately ended with a 6–5 win for Nashville after Jonathan dos Santos missed for América and Daniel Lovitz converted.

[29] Head coach Phil Neville was fired on June 1 and temporarily replaced by assistant Javier Morales until Gerardo "Tata" Martino joined in July.

[30] To prepare for the Leagues Cup, an additional 3,000 seats were added to DRV PNK Stadium, the temporary home of Inter Miami CF in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale.

[33][34] Inter Miami CF remained at home to play against in-state rivals Orlando City SC in the round of 32 on August 2 after the match was delayed by 95 minutes due to lightning.

[35] The team advanced to the round of 16 and faced FC Dallas four days later in their first away match of the tournament, which was played with additional security guards and in front of a mixed crowd of home supporters and Messi fans.

[36][37] Messi opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a strike that went to video review due to a possible offside that was ruled to have not affected the play; Dallas then equalized and took a 2–1 lead at the end of the first half with goals from Facundo Quignon and Bernard Kamungo.

Martínez opened the scoring in the twelfth minute with a penalty kick that was awarded for a foul on Dixon Arroyo; he was followed by Taylor's finish on a DeAndre Yedlin cross for a 2–0 lead at half-time.

[26] Messi had scored in every Leagues Cup match and entered the final as the tournament's top goalscorer with nine goals, two ahead of Minnesota United FC's Bongokuhle Hlongwane.

The stadium is the largest soccer-specific venue in the United States and home to Nashville SC, who hosted due to their higher finish in the 2022 Supporters' Shield standings.

[50] The Leagues Cup final was played in front of a sellout crowd of 30,109 at Geodis Park in Nashville, including several hundred Inter Miami fans who had traveled from Florida as well as other supporters of the club.

[51] MLS commissioner Don Garber, Inter Miami part-owner David Beckham, and Nashville SC minority owners Giannis Antetokounmpo and Reese Witherspoon were among those in attendance.

[1][54] Nashville began the match with a strong defensive shape and contained pressure from Miami, but eventually conceded the opening goal to Lionel Messi in the 23rd minute.

Lionel Messi was awarded the Best Player of the tournament and was also the top scorer with 10 goals; it was the seventh consecutive match that he had scored in since arriving at Inter Miami CF a month earlier.

[60][61] The Leagues Cup was the 44th trophy of Messi's professional career, which set the record for most decorated player in history as he surpassed former Barcelona teammate Dani Alves.