It is a five-round knockout tournament, with 27 teams that qualified based on their national and zonal league and cup competitions; the first four rounds are played as a two-legged series at the home stadiums of the respective teams.

[1] In addition to national league competitions in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, 12 of 27 berths were determined by international competitions, including the revamped North American zonal competition, the 2024 Leagues Cup (three), and the existing regional or zonal championships in the Caribbean and Central America, the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup (three) and CONCACAF Central American Cup (six), respectively.

The ceremony was streamed on CONCACAF's YouTube channel and broadcast live on Fox Sports in the United States and Mexico and ESPN in most of the Americas.

[1] Teams were seeded and placed in draw pots based on their CONCACAF club ranking as of 9 December 2024.

If still tied, extra time and, if required, a penalty shoot-out will determine the winning team.

[10] Cavalier, Alajuelense, Columbus Crew, América, and LA Galaxy will not participate in this round.