What happened: Chattanooga FC earned hosting honors for the fifth edition of the league championship after securing the Eastern Conference title. The title match against LAFC 2 is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. ET at Finley Stadium.

Why it matters: Chattanooga made league history by becoming the first independent club to advance to the MLS NEXT Pro championship game. They face LAFC 2, which captured the Western Conference title to secure its place in the final. A victory would make LAFC the second organization to win both MLS Cup and the MLS NEXT Pro Cup.

What to watch: The teams meet Sunday, Nov. 8, at Finley Stadium to decide the 2026 championship.